PMIWDC

When:

Where:

About the Program

Global virtual teams have emerged in response to the growing demands placed upon organizations to rapidly coordinate individuals located in geographically dispersed locations. Virtual teams promise to improve cycle time, reduce travel costs, and reduce redundancies across organizational units. Moreover, the use of global virtual teams provides an opportunity to coordinate complex business tasks across a potentially far-flung confederation of organizations.

However, virtual teams are beset with a range of challenges inherent to their dispersed, and often impersonal nature. Global virtual teams face significant challenges in four areas: communication, culture, technology, and project leadership. The hour long discussion on Leading Global Virtual Teams will thus focus on strengthening all of the four challenges mentioned above, emphasizing on collaboration through technology and the role of the project leader.

Key for effectively leading a virtual project team is building community among the members of the project team with technology. A sense of community includes demonstration of sensitivity to differences, establishing and adhering to ground rules, project team etiquette or agreement among the members for how the team will work together. Whether it is a community portal, any form of social media, an effective content management system or an Intranet system leveraging communication among the project team members, the right technology implemented in at the right time in a suitable environment will not only facilitate timely documentation but also help decision makers take correct decision based on the information that it provides. Systems need to be implemented not only to help the senior management to get access to timely information but also to help project team members build trust and foster effective communication.

For any Project Leader, leading effectively from a distance or with a virtual project team is much like operating a camera with a telephoto lens. To secure a clear, focused image of a far-off situation, effective leaders adjust their communications and technology.

Leaders of virtual project teams typically receive a series of brief snapshots of situations by means of voice mail, e-mail or pager messages. Effective leaders need to quickly and skillfully diagnose what is happening, determine a course of action, and adjust their means of communication and the technology they use to achieve the desired results. Effective leaders inspire the members to reach and exceed the expectations for performance. They will not only ensure that the team members have the tools and systems to make their critical contributions but also empower them with the skills and knowledge necessary to use them efficiently.

Agenda

11:00am - 12:00pm - Presentation
12:00pm - 1:00pm - EVM Workshop

Registration and Costs

• The DOL brownbag luncheons are free of charge
• Membership in PMI is not required
• RSVPs are required to attend. Please let to Kim Hunter know of your plans to attend by COB Monday, June 30. 
• Briefing slides will be sent out prior to the meeting to those who RSVP they are attending the brief or have requested a copy for reference if they cannot attend.   

Driving Directions

The Frances Perkins Building is located at 200 Constitution Avenue, NW.  It is closest to the Judiciary Square Metro Station on the red line.  Exit the train platform in the direction of 4th Street.  Take two escalators to the street level, and walk straight ahead through a small plaza to 4th Street.  You will see a coffee shop called the “Firehook” on your left. Cross 4th Street and veer towards the left.  The large building on the left is the Frances Perkins Building.  

Walk around this building to the main entrance; there is a large fountain in front of the main entrance.  Enter through the Visitor’s Entrance.  You will need to show a photo ID at the Security Station unless you have already RSVP’d and are on an attendee list.  

Note that you are going to Room S-4215.  If you need assistance, please call 703-472-5005.  From the Security Station, turn to your right.  Continue until you see elevators on your left.  Take the elevators to the 4th floor.  Follow the signs posted.