Build and deliver software in a hybrid workplace

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When the pandemic hit, many companies had to figure out how they could have productive teams with a distributed workforce. Software development teams were no exception. Now, more than two years later, as more companies begin to solidify their future work plans, it's becoming increasingly clear that remote work is here to stay, in forms to both fully remote and hybrid home and office.

Reviewing the past two years, we've found that it's possible to build products using agile methodologies (a very collaborative feat), even when teams are remote.

So for founders and product and engineering managers, who are evaluating what building your company's products and apps will look like in the so-called new normal, here's what I learned during the course. over the past year and a half from consulting organizations that have built and brought to market new remote applications.

Choosing presenters for meetings: Meetings via Zoom and other technologies require more work and preparation than in-person stand-ups in a room of conference. It is helpful to choose a facilitator in advance. This person should prepare for this meeting, not lead it. There should be a set agenda, and it should be shared in advance.

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Have feedback loops to gauge value: At the end of meetings, there should be time for sharing feedback to review whether the work you are doing is serving you — or whether you should do something The Plus/Delta assessment process is a tool for impromptu assessments, and because we all know that time is money, it's also helpful to use ROTI (return on time invested).

Set up a "persistent virtual desktop" for the team: use virtual meeting platforms like Discord, Zoom Meetings, and other technologies that allow your teams to see each other and get along (rather than just reading their communication). These apps allow for immediate collaboration to answer questions or solve a problem together, just like you can in person. Colleagues no longer need to read each other's calendars to determine if someone can collaborate on something that just happened.

Establish basic working hours: aim for overlapping basic hours when the whole team is available to work. This is especially important when your hybrid workforce is spread across multiple time zones. Schedule team meetings and schedule collaboration during these core hours. This will optimize product working times and give engineers the opportunity to become familiar with the keyboard. Then try to schedule solo, one-on-one, and other activities outside of these core hours.

Provide detailed documentation: Embrace the use of digital whiteboards like Miro that have sticky note functionality to facilitate remote collaboration and provide an easily referenceable record for newcomers. This helps teams replicate the value of an in-person workshop with a digital whiteboard everyone can refer to individually, keeping everyone...