VIRTUOSO: High Performance Virtual Team Equalizer

Publication No

IR326-2

Type

Excel spreadsheet

Publication Date

Nov 01, 2016

Pages

Research Team

RT-326

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Abstract

Key Findings

Filters & Tags

Abstract

The construction industry in the twenty-first century is in an era of technological change, with an ever-pressing need to work seamlessly, regardless of location. Rapid changes in the global economy mean that CII member companies must adapt their work processes to keep up with the push to work faster, better, and more efficiently. These pressures, combined with the need to reduce costs and balance resources, have increasingly led the construction industry to implement virtual teams to accomplish what was once done by co-located teams. Whenever the work is performed between regional offices, across the country, or on different continents, delivering a successful project depends on the team’s ability to maximize its virtual performance.

In recognition of the importance of virtual teams to the construction industry, CII created Research Team 326 (RT-326) to examine: “What can the construction industry do to maximize the performance of virtual teams?” The team explored this question by identifying current and emerging virtual team practices, identifying and recommending enhanced work processes, and developing a tool that will help companies improve virtual team performance.

RT-326’s research found a correlation between virtual teams that achieve high performance and the implementation of certain key factors. The team identified 21 of these factors, which it termed Virtual Team Key Performance Indicators (VT KPIs), and grouped them into three categories: Technology, Team, and Process. Weighting provided clarity on which VT KPIs have the highest impact on team performance.

The RT-326 research concluded that successfully using VT KPIs can maximize the performance of a virtual team. Validation surveys found that Technology measures, while necessary for virtual teams, did not have strong associations with performance; however, virtual team performance was strongly correlated to having Team and Process VT KPIs in place. By implementing corresponding KPIs, project teams can overcome barriers characteristic of virtual work, including inadequate hardware, cultural and language differences, uneven participation, and the lack of virtual team procedures.

Project managers can evaluate their virtual teams against the VT KPIs by using Implementation Resource (IR) 326-2, VIRTUOSO: High Performance Virtual Team Equalizer, a Microsoft© Excel-based tool. VIRTUOSO identifies areas that need improvement and offers implementation guidance to enable higher levels of performance. By using this tool, project managers can execute virtual teamwork more effectively. In a business environment where fewer and fewer distributed teams can afford to co-locate or even hold in-person meetings, VIRTUOSO enables the development of adaptive and responsive teams.

Key Findings

IR326-2: VIRTUOSO–High Performance Virtual Team Equalizer Tool and User Guide

VIRTUOSO–High Performance Virtual Team Equalizer, is an Excel-based tool that provides virtual team project managers with anticipated performance levels for the Technology, Team, and Process categories of virtual teamwork. The tool is designed to be used by project managers who are managing projects that rely on dispersed team members. The tool assesses virtual team performance for the VT KPIs determined for each category. It then uses an implementation equalizer to generate guidance on ways to enhance virtual team performance based on anticipated deficiencies. Companies can leverage their technology capabilities, along with virtual team characteristics and process management, toward maximizing a project’s virtual team performance. (IR326-2, User’s Guide)

Filters & Tags

Knowledge Area

Business and Project Processes, Project & Program Management, Project Organization & Communication

Project Phase

Feasibility, Concept, Detailed Scope, Detailed Design (Engineering), Procurement, Construction, Commissioning & Startup, Handover & Closeout

Project Function

Project Business Sponsor, Project Management, Architects & Engineering, Construction, Quality Management, Business Development & Proposals, External Stakeholders

Industry Group

Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Buildings, Infrastructure

Research Topic

Maximizing Virtual Team Performance in the Construction Industry

Keywords

Virtual, Performance, Global, Non-Collocated (multi-site), Project Management, Early project planning, Workshare, Team, Process, Technology, rt326