Annotated Resource - Virtual Team Concepts in Projects: A Case Study
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Kuruppuarachchi, P. R. (2009). Virtual team concepts in projects: A case study. Project Management Journal, 40(2), 19-33. doi:10.1002/pmj.20110
Kuruppuarachchi has written several articles regarding project management and virtual organizations. In addition, the author holds several degrees, including a doctorate in technology and two master’s degrees in business and technology and computer science. The article was written as a literature review of a virtual team project case study. The case study addressed the question of what particular activities are necessary for virtual project teams to maximize performance as compared to traditional face-to-face project teams. The case study took place in the rural area of New South Wales, Australia. The review begins with discussing the recent emergence of virtual teams and its benefits and challenges. The case study examined communication, team structures, leading teams, time management, cost management, quality management, human resource management, and more.
The essential element of the review is to identify critical factors, pro and con, which can improve future virtual teams and virtual project management. Three important sources provided valuable information to derive factors from: (a) the project closure report; (b) the audit report; and (c) the experience from the project manager. The two major challenges identified are communication and leadership. Communication amongst the geographically distributed team members proved to inhibit the development of trust and shared understanding. In addition, project management lacked a day-to-day structure which organized data efficiently. A suggestion is presented to utilize interactive communication technology to improve communication gaps and manage information more proficiently. This article articulates the productive benefits and the weakening challenges of virtual team projects. The author recommends using current and new technology to assist with resolving the challenges.
The essential element of the review is to identify critical factors, pro and con, which can improve future virtual teams and virtual project management. Three important sources provided valuable information to derive factors from: (a) the project closure report; (b) the audit report; and (c) the experience from the project manager. The two major challenges identified are communication and leadership. Communication amongst the geographically distributed team members proved to inhibit the development of trust and shared understanding. In addition, project management lacked a day-to-day structure which organized data efficiently. A suggestion is presented to utilize interactive communication technology to improve communication gaps and manage information more proficiently. This article articulates the productive benefits and the weakening challenges of virtual team projects. The author recommends using current and new technology to assist with resolving the challenges.
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