The Top 13 Questions to Ask a Virtual Team

Developed by 3D Learning

Stu Noble, 215-836-2401

Virtual teams are like all teams…they require attention to both the TASK aspect of their work, as well as the PROCESS dynamics. However, unlike co-located teams, many of these aspects are often invisible and not adequately addressed. The following are 13 questions that, if focused upon, will support virtual team performance effectiveness.

Question One:
How do individuals share information across boundaries, so their focus is aligned with others within their team and/or across their organization?

Question Two:
How do individuals adapt to changing conditions, multiple priorities and information overload in a complex environment?

Question Three:
How do we promote personal accountability and feedback to enable affect an individual's contribution to overall performance?

Question Four:
How does the team share knowledge, manage interdependencies, and leverage all teams members' talents no matter where they reside?

Question Five:
How are strategies that help the team remain focused on it's objectives in an environment that requires constant managing of change?

Question Six:
How do we utilize the most effective practices to enhance team performance?

Question Seven:
How does the team impact, and is impacted by, other teams and stakeholders in their efforts?

Question Eight:
How does the team innovatively respond to the environmental changes most significant to the team and their organization?

Question Nine:
How does the team ensure their visibility throughout their organization?

Question Ten:
How effectively does this team use available communications technology to maximize information exchange and storage, knowledge sharing and group process-related interactions (i.e., planning, brainstorming, decision making, problem solving, etc.)?

Question Eleven:
How well does this team accommodate and utilize the cultural differences and other diversity
aspects to the benefit of the team's performance?

Question Twelve:
How effectively is the leadership role managed, as well as shared based upon the nature of the team's work and process?

Question Thirteen:
Do members on this team trust each other?