While we were living through the saga of 2020, covid time, and everything shut down, those who could take their work home started working remotely. We have to nod to the fact that the pandemic has taught us what the future of work is going to look like– not to mention other soft skills such as cooking and cleaning.

Remote teams have added a benefit to the team managers to find talent across the world, imagine no boundaries of the immense pool of talent you can attract.

It was a challenge to overcome, as the technical team is always a backbone!

If you’re one of those people who are building something amazing and planning to onboard a remote software development team, read on!

Come with me! Here's the inside scoop for you.



1. Figure out the software team requirement



software development team

To determine the software team requirements, you will need to first identify the goals and objectives of the software project. This will help you determine the specific skills and expertise that will be required to successfully complete the project.

Next, you will need to assess the current skills and experience of your existing team members, and determine any gaps in knowledge or expertise that need to be filled will assist you in this  This will help you identify the specific roles and responsibilities that need to be included in the software team.

Once you have identified the required skills and expertise, you can begin recruiting team members who possess the necessary qualifications. You may also need to provide training or support to existing team members to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to successfully contribute to the project.

It is important to regularly review the team's progress and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the team has the resources and support they need to complete the project on time and within budget.

2. Architect the skills set as the job description

When designing a job description for a remote software development team, there are several key factors to consider:

  1. The specific goals and objectives of the software project, as well as any specific skills or expertise that are required to complete the project successfully.
  2. The roles and responsibilities of each team member, including their specific areas of expertise and how they will contribute to the project.
  3. The required qualifications and experience of each team member, including any specific education or training that is necessary.
  4. The communication and collaboration tools that will be used by the team, and any specific training or support that will be provided to team members to ensure they are able to use these tools effectively.
  5. The expectations for team members in terms of availability, work schedule, and other key aspects of the job.

It is also important to clearly communicate the benefits of working on a remote software development team, such as the flexibility to work from anywhere, the opportunity to collaborate with other team members from around the world, and the ability to work on exciting and challenging projects. This can help attract top talent and ensure that the team is able to achieve its goals and objectives.

3. Set up an interview process with a remote capacity

Set up an interview process with a remote capacity

To set up an interview process with remote capacity, you will need to take the following steps:

  1. Identify the specific roles and responsibilities that need to be filled, and develop job descriptions that accurately reflect the qualifications and experience that are required for each position.
  2. Use online job boards, social media, and other recruitment channels to advertise the open positions and attract potential candidates.
  3. Review the resumes and applications that are submitted, and use pre-screening questions or tests to narrow down the pool of candidates to those who are most qualified for the positions.
  4. Schedule interviews with the selected candidates, using video conferencing software or other remote communication tools to conduct the interviews.
  5. During the interviews, ask specific questions that will help you evaluate the candidates' qualifications, experience, and suitability for the positions.
  6. After the interviews are completed, review the candidates' responses and make a decision about which individuals to offer the positions to.
  7. Once the positions have been filled, provide the new team members with the necessary training and support to help them become productive members of the team, and establish clear communication and collaboration channels to ensure that the team can work effectively together.

4. Identify tools for remote team

Project management software, such as Trello, Asana, or Jira, can be used to organize and track the progress of the project.

  1. Collaboration tools, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangouts, can be used for real-time communication and collaboration among team members.
  2. Version control systems, such as Git or Mercurial, which can be used to manage the source code and ensure that different team members are working on the latest version of the software.
  3. Testing and debugging tools, such as Selenium, JUnit, or Postman, can be used to identify and fix bugs in the software.
  4. Documentation and reporting tools, such as Confluence or Google Docs, can be used to create and share project reports, technical specifications, and other important documents.

In addition to these tools, remote software development teams may also need to use video conferencing software, such as Zoom or Skype, to conduct meetings and interviews, and file sharing tools, such as Dropbox or Google Drive, to share files and other important information.

5. Provide constant feedback

Provide constant feedback

Establish clear communication channels and set expectations for how and when team members should provide updates and progress reports. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the team is able to work efficiently and effectively.

  1. Use project management software, such as Trello or Asana, to track the progress of the project and provide regular updates to the team. This can help team members stay focused and on track, and can also provide valuable insights into areas where the team may need additional support or resources.
  2. Use collaboration tools, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, to provide real-time feedback and support to team members. This can help team members stay engaged and motivated, and can also help identify and resolve any issues that may arise during the project.
  3. Conduct regular check-ins with team members, either individually or as a group, to provide feedback and support. This can help team members feel valued and supported, and can also provide opportunities to discuss any challenges or concerns that they may be experiencing.
  4. Be open and transparent with feedback, and provide constructive criticism that is focused on helping team members improve and grow. This can help team members develop their skills and knowledge, and can also help foster a positive and collaborative work environment.



6. Ensure product documentation for quality results

Define the scope and purpose of the product documentation, and identify the specific information that needs to be included. This can help ensure that the documentation is comprehensive and relevant to the project.

  1. Create a documentation plan that outlines the structure and organization of the documentation, and identifies the specific team members who will be responsible for creating and maintaining the documentation. This can help ensure that the documentation is well-organized and easy to navigate.
  2. Use clear and concise language in the documentation, and avoid using technical jargon or abbreviations that may not be understood by all team members or users. This can help ensure that the documentation is accessible and easy to understand.
  3. Use diagrams, images, and other visual aids to supplement the written documentation, and provide examples and case studies to help illustrate key concepts and features of the product. This can help make the documentation more engaging and easier to understand.
  4. Regularly review and update the documentation to ensure that it remains accurate and up-to-date. This can help ensure that the documentation remains relevant and useful throughout the development and maintenance of the product.
  5. Make the documentation easily accessible to all team members and users, and provide support and guidance to help them navigate and use the documentation effectively. This can help ensure that the documentation is used effectively and helps to improve the quality of the product.

7. Keep brushing up the team spirit



Keep brushing up the team spirit

Encourage regular communication and collaboration among team members. This could include regular team meetings, using collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams, and setting up virtual social activities such as coffee breaks or team lunches.

  1. Provide opportunities for team members to get to know each other on a personal level. This could include sharing personal interests and hobbies, and allowing team members to be themselves.
  2. Encourage team members to support and help each other, and create a sense of camaraderie among team members. This could include setting up mentorship programs or buddy systems, where team members can support and learn from each other.
  3. Recognize and reward team members for their contributions and accomplishments. This could include public recognition in team meetings or forums, and providing rewards and incentives for outstanding work.
  4. Make sure that team members have the tools and resources they need to do their jobs effectively. This could include providing access to the right technology and software, and ensuring that team members have the training and support they need to succeed.

Overall, the key to maintaining team spirit in a remote team is to create a sense of connection, collaboration, and support among team members. By doing this, you can foster a positive and productive team culture that will help your team to thrive, even when they are working remotely.



8. Encourage automation to improve the employee experience

Automation can be a useful tool for improving the employee experience in remote teams, as it can help to streamline processes and reduce the amount of manual work that employees have to do. Here are some ways to encourage automation in remote teams:

  1. Identify processes that can be automated. This could include repetitive tasks such as data entry, scheduling, and report generation.
  2. Invest in automation tools and technology. This could include software and systems that are designed to automate specific processes, such as project management tools, task tracking systems, and data analysis tools.
  3. Train employees on how to use automation tools and systems. This will help to ensure that employees are able to use the tools effectively and efficiently, and that they understand how to get the most out of the automation technology.
  4. Encourage employees to embrace automation and use it to improve their workflows. This could include providing support and guidance to employees who are new to automation, and recognizing and rewarding employees who use automation effectively to improve their work.

Overall, the key to encouraging automation in remote teams is to make sure that employees have the tools and support they need to use automation effectively, and to create a culture that values and encourages the use of automation to improve the employee experience. By doing this, you can help to improve productivity, efficiency, and job satisfaction in your remote team.

9. Leadership activities to withdraw poor performances



Leadership activities to withdraw poor performances

Set clear expectations and goals for team members. This will help to ensure that everyone understands what is expected of them, and that they are working towards the same objectives.

  1. Provide regular feedback and support to team members. This could include regular one-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, and coaching sessions, to help team members understand where they are excelling and where they can improve.
  2. Create a positive and supportive work environment. This could include fostering open communication, collaboration, and recognition among team members, and providing resources and support to help team members succeed.
  3. Address poor performance promptly and directly. If a team member is not meeting expectations, it is important to address the issue directly and in a timely manner. This could include setting clear performance improvement goals, providing additional support and training, and, if necessary, taking disciplinary action.
  4. Monitor and track team performance regularly. This could include using metrics and data to measure the team's progress, and providing regular updates and feedback to team members to help them stay on track and improve their performance.

Overall, the key to addressing poor performance in a team is to provide clear expectations, support, and feedback, and to address performance issues promptly and directly. By doing this, leaders can help to ensure that team members are able to meet their potential and contribute to the success of the team.

10. Practice OKR methods to align goals & objectives

The OKR (Objectives and Key Results) method is a goal-setting and tracking framework that can be used to align goals and objectives within a team or organization. Here are some ways to practice OKR methods to align goals and objectives:

  1. Start by setting clear, measurable, and achievable objectives for the team or organization. These should be high-level goals that align with the overall mission and vision of the team or organization.
  2. For each objective, identify a set of key results that will help to measure progress towards achieving the objective. These should be quantifiable and time-bound, and should provide specific and measurable targets for the team or organization to aim for.
  3. Communicate the objectives and key results to all team members, and ensure that everyone understands their role in achieving the goals. This could include providing regular updates and feedback, and involving team members in the goal-setting process.
  4. Track and measure progress towards achieving the objectives and key results on a regular basis. This could include using metrics and data to monitor progress, and providing regular updates and feedback to team members.
  5. Celebrate successes and achievements, and adjust goals and objectives as needed. As the team or organization progresses towards its goals, it may be necessary to adjust the objectives and key results to reflect changing priorities or conditions.

Overall, the key to practicing OKR methods to align goals and objectives is to set clear and measurable goals, track progress regularly, and adjust goals as needed to ensure that the team or organization remains focused and aligned towards achieving its objectives. By doing this, leaders can help to ensure that the team or organization stays on track and achieves its goals.