What Is the Best Way To Build a Virtual Team?

stoolpigeon writes "The department I work in is growing and including new members that live quite far apart. Right now most people are in the same office but new members are in Singapore and South Africa, with more coming from other places. I would be interested in Slashdotters' recommendations for software, practices, services and anything else that can help build strong virtual teams."

Keeping in touch plenty!

[Stooshie]

Try to have a quick team meeting meeting every day on Skype/VOIP, if possible. People can start to stray "off message" if left to themselves too long (not through laziness, or anything). If they are in the same office, that can is normally regulated.

Lots of small targets as well as an overall project target.

Do try to have face to face meetings occasionally.

Get Webcams

[davecotter]

make sure y'all have webcams and the software to show the video wall of all connected users. i work remotely myself, and i can't tell you how much more PRESENT i feel at meetings when i can see the participants in the office meeting room, plus any other remote users. Just being able to see who's talking helps in a way that's difficult to describe, everyone will definitely notice the difference.