At one time, the only way to effectively and efficiently complete a project was to meet face-to-face with all of the project’s participants. But, with advances in technology, co-location is no longer a prerequisite for collaboration. Instead, many companies are having success with virtual teams.

Brandon Hall Research understands first-hand the benefits and difficulties of managing virtual teams. Although we are headquartered in California, many of our staff members are located across the United States and Canada, and, for about a year, one researcher even worked from New Zealand.

This research report — written by Gary Woodill, Ed.D., director of Research and Analytics at Brandon Hall Research, and Christina Downs, an editor for Brandon Hall Research — looks at the following: the advantages and disadvantages a company faces in using virtual teams, the process of setting up and managing a virtual team, research on the effectiveness of virtual teams, and the technological resources that are needed to support this type of organization.

This report is designed to pass on the insights of our experience operating as a virtual team, to review the research on the effectiveness of virtual teams, and to suggest the best practices and processes if you are considering setting up a virtual team within your organization. Understanding more about how successful virtual teams work, including their rewards and pitfalls, will improve your confidence as you begin.

In addition, Managing Virtual Teams: Effective Practices and Technology Resources provides a comprehensive list of available technology for supporting virtual teams, including descriptions and links for the following: 41 Web collaboration software products 12 project and team management software products 32 conferencing and meeting software products