The world of work has undergone a significant transformation in the last 5 years. We were already slowly transitioning to the idea of remote work. Then, the pandemic accelerated it. Now, remote work is the norm for a huge number of people. The tech industry is one of the leading remote sectors, and it’s possible to have an entirely remote dev team.

Remote work brings a great number of benefits but also poses some challenges when it comes to management. In this article, we share some best practices that will help you get the best from your remote dev team and help you provide the best environment for them.

Chapters

Clear Communication Channels

Communication is key for any team. It’s even more important for a remote team. Your team might be in different towns, cities, countries, and even time zones. That means you need crystal-clear communication. Set expectations clearly and stick to them. You should create dedicated channels for different types of communication so that important messages aren’t missed.

That means having a dedicated channel for project updates. Another for brainstorming. You should even have one for informal chats. If you’re using a platform like Slack or Teams, you could create actual channels with each purpose in mind.

This type of communication is great for teams that aren’t always working at the same time. It makes catching up as simple as scrolling back.

Create a Robust Onboarding Process

New team members can be forgiven for feeling a bit lost when they first join a remote team. Unlike in a physical office, they can’t just drop by someone’s desk and ask a question. A robust onboarding process provides them with everything they need to know. This will help them to become a productive team member as quickly as possible.

Let’s say you’re expanding your team and want to hire PHP developers. A great onboarding process would include:

A comprehensive welcome package that includes essential documentation, company structure, guidelines, policies, and resources.
Technical set-up for any new software and kit that they are required to work with, plus training on it if required.
A mentorship or buddy program that either guides them through their role or connects them with a peer.
Clearly set goals and expectations that define what success in the role looks like.
A method for open feedback and dialogue with management.

Set Realistic Goals and Expectations

We touched on this during the onboarding process. Goals and expectations are a necessary part of running a remote team. They help managers understand progress toward a completed goal. Plus, they help employees understand where they are in the project process. Many remote teams use tools such as Monday or Asana to track tasks and create timelines or expectations.

Regular Check-Ins

It’s tempting to let your team just get on with their work and judge their performance by the outcomes. The issue with this is that you lose connection to the human on the other side of the screen. Remember that these are real people who deserve some of your time, even if just for a chat.

Offer Skills Development and Continuous Learning

Creating a learner-friendly environment within your team is a way of ensuring your team is always developing their skills. Regularly offer training on new technology or software. Encourage peer support and mentorship. Essentially, look to develop your team wherever you can. You’ll reap the benefits of a driven, engaged team. They’ll feel valued and that they are developing their career.

Key Takeaways

Incorporating these best practices into your management of a remote dev team will only bring benefits. You’ll have a team that works in an innovative environment and management that is engaged with its team. Embrace this methodology, and you’ll soon see the full potential a remote dev team has to offer.

Communication is key. Establishing clear channels for all types of communication is a necessary part of remote management.
Strong teams come from a robust and functional onboarding process.
Creating a set of realistic expectations and goals can be a great motivator for a remote team.