Researchers have found that 98% of surveyed employees this year prefer to work remotely a minimum of two days per week. More than half wanted three days from home, and just around 40% of executives said they wanted to return to full in-person working conditions. It doesn’t take an expert to see that there is some level of disconnection here.
The reality of working conditions today is that there is no getting rid of remote/hybrid working. The shift has become so important to employees that some work it into their contract, and talented workers can easily be snatched by companies willing to offer this simple perk.
Software development companies know that talented individuals are an asset needed to build teams that succeed in this market. In the best interest of finding and retaining these individuals, we need to outline how this dynamic can work for companies who are unsure of remote work or struggling to fit it into their organization.
It seems like a common fear among executives is that unsupervised employees may not be productive or as productive as they could be in an office. Fortunately, studies have been done over the timeline that remote work has been around and proved that employees are more productive when working remotely.
It’s been found that when employees are in their own space, they’re willing to put in more hours of work. This is likely because their minds are free to tend to work and life-related situations. However, it must be acknowledged that everyone is different, and what’s working for one person isn’t always ideal for another.
The Process of Change For Companies
The pandemic was a surprise for the world and while some businesses were certainly hit harder than others, everyone felt the impact. Nonetheless, people still need to work which is where the remote model shined. Some managed the transition better than others who in some cases couldn’t make it work for them.
The point of this argument is that most people were overwhelmed and frightened by the uncertainty of that time. A lot of companies as well weren’t prepared to make the switch but some did. The successful ones overcame the virtual shift by going back to the drawing board and designing new processes to bridge the gap.
In 2021 alone, Zoom made $4 Billion in revenue, and Google Teams, Microsoft Azure, and Skype were all resources being used by companies to make the most of the situation. So it’s not that there was no infrastructure to support this lifestyle for companies. This example speaks to the forever-standing knowledge of how important being able to pivot is.
How Software Development Teams Make it Work
Software development and engineering is never a solo effort. It requires collaboration, openness, and flexibility. Look at agile for example; software development teams were able to effectively handle projects and empower teams as well as customers. The emphasis here is on flexibility and openness which in every software development project is intrinsic to its success.
Whether you’re a software development company or working on a software project, you’re likely encountering some form of remote collaboration. Of course, this is fine as it is becoming the new norm for many outsourcing companies, but communication cannot be overwritten. This is sometimes difficult in software, especially if you are working with offshore teams in different time zones. Typically, this is why going with local talent is your best bet, however, every project is different and so is what people think is best for their business. For your project that is fostering some form of remote work, these should be the non-negotiables:
Outline communication standards (how many touch points per day and who to reach for urgent matters)
A clear goal for the project
Mutual agreement for the timeline and budget
On the flip side, if you’re trying to make remote work beneficial for your internal team, you should follow these minimum standards:
Effectively delegate responsibilities
Stay updated as much as possible with the progress of tasks among team members
Ensure the necessary resources are available to everyone
Identify weekly goals
You’ll notice that most of these points are similar to how a business should function even without remote work. That’s because day-to-day remote working isn’t that much different from regular in-person standards when it comes down to the basics. Of course, there may be situations where the team or client needs to be met with in person, and for those instances, it should happen exactly that way.
What to Remember
Software development and engineering require a team effort. Teams are highly effective in environments that are fueled with transparency and flexibility. Now, just like anything, this is going to require boundaries. If inadequate results are a factor, then take measures to ensure that the goals of the company are being fulfilled. It ultimately comes down to communication; it’s the only medicine proven to produce results.
Written By Ben Brown
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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.
Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.
