Checklist for virtual teams

1. Technology
   
   • Communicate effectively and use technology that fits the situation.
   • Integrate audio conferencing.
   • Integrate social networking tools (e.g. Instant Messaging, Facebook, Twitter).
   • Integrate Video conferencing.
2. Composition
   
   • Build teams based on mutual trust, respect, fairness and affiliation among project participants.
   • Coordinate/collaborate across enterprise boundaries.
3. Intent
   
   • Establish clear and inspiring shared goals, expectations, purpose and vision.
   • Team leaders lead by example with a focus on visible and measurable results
   • Link communications to the team members' shared goals and performance contributions to results.
   • Taking initiative to make things better.
   • Keep commitments.
   • Clarify the rationale and intent of strategies and goals.
   • Promote sharing of information in situations of mutual interest.
   • Link work contributions to the enterprise's goals.
4. Communications
   
   • Model the enterprise's values in all communications.
   • Choose a method of communication that best fits the mutual needs of team members and the situation.
   • Help team members apply available communication technology with confidence.
   • Formulate specific objectives and an organized delivery plan for communications.
   • Engage in proactive listening.
   • Encourage team members to participate fully in conservations.
   • Guide communications to achieve a positive and constructive outcome.
   • Verify team members' understanding of the conversations and expectations for action.
5. Behavior
   
   • Conduct mentoring & feedback in ways that convey respect and support.
   • Model the behaviours expected of team members.
   • Maintain the self-confidence and self-esteem of team members
   • Demonstrate respect for team members and their opinions.
   • Encourage team members to fully participate.
   • Focus on the situation, issue or behaviour, not on the person.
6. Relationships
   
   • Confront issues with others directly.
   • Keep confidences.
   • Maintain constructive relationships.
   • Admit mistakes.
7. Mentoring
   
   • Share information about the enterprise's mission, vision, strategies and goals.
   • Providing clear expectations for contributions and measurable results.
   • Ensuring that team members are involved in decisions that affect their work.
   • Seek ideas & opinions from team members.
   • Ensure consideration for the needs of Business Unit users in planning work.
   • Use the enterprise's core values to guide the team members' planning, decisions & actions.
   • Ensure that all team members know how their contributions affect Business Unit users.
   • Help all team members understand their roles and responsibilities.
   • Help team members diagnose and solve problems.
8. Innovation
   
   • Promoting creativity and innovation in undertaking new goals or opportunities.
   • Help members develop positive approaches to the needs of the enterprise.
   • Challenge assumptions that inhibit progress.
   • Demonstrate flexibility in adapting to changes in goals and expectations.
9. Performance
   
   • Emphasize verifiable goal-setting and the identification of visible contributions.
   • Track contributions and measurable progress on goals.
   • Ensure team members complete appropriate planning to achieve results.
   • Inspire team members to reach or exceed expectations for performance and results.
   • Emphasize the need for goal-directed self-discipline in completing daily work.
   • Use performance contributions and results to guide communications and agendas.
   • Seek opportunities to recognize members' contributions to results.
10. Collaboration
    
    • Seek ways to build teamwork and collaboration across groups and functions.
    • Establish mutual involvement in situations that cross enterprise boundaries.
    • Link the need for coordination and collaboration to the needs of the enterprise and business unit users.
    • Help team members identify opportunities for improvement in projects and processes that cross enterprise boundaries.
    • Help team members plan, coordinate and implement projects and processes across boundaries.
11. Conflict
    
    • Ask for specific support you will need and what you will do in return.
    • Challenge unnecessary barriers to collaboration across boundaries.
    • Help team members constructively move from conflict to collaboration.
    • Make information-sharing easy Don't over rely on email.
    • Communication: more is better.
    • Have a cup of coffee with remote employees.
    • Strike a balance between micro-managing and maintaining accountability.
    • Be diligent about keeping everyone on the same page.
    • Establish a presence with customers.
    • Remain aware of non-verbal cues from far-flung team members.