Key Practices for Effective Team Communication and Collaboration

 Team communication and collaboration is a crucial aspect of modern workplaces; it being the cornerstone of success, business organizations should implement various practices to encourage transparent communication. 

Whether you are a small startup or an enterprise, the ability to communicate effectively between team members is significant in achieving common business goals. It also facilitates in fostering innovation and maintaining a positive work culture. 

In this blog post we will dive into some of the key practices that productive companies implement to communicate effectively which in-turn enhances their productivity and cohesion. 

1. Establish Clear Objectives and Roles 

Maintaining clear communication begins with a crystal-clear understanding of the business objectives and roles of each team member in the project. 

By determining business objectives and team roles the team can set the right direction for the project to develop. It can be achieved by setting specific, measurable and time-bound SMART goals which will provide a roadmap for the team to follow. 

Each team member in a project should be aware of their roles and responsibilities which will ensure accountability and minimize confusion.

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How to Manage Large and Complex Projects Using Agile Principles

Managing large and complex projects can be a daunting task. However, adopting agile strategies can make this daunting undertaking more manageable and increase the likelihood of success. 

Agile methodology is the perfect work process to accommodate larger projects. Because it is a flexible methodology there’s lots of room for mid-project changes and project course correction if needed. 

In this blog, we will explore agile methodologies and the principles in managing projects effectively. 

We will discuss the various techniques to streamline the development process of larger projects as well mitigate risk inherent in such projects. Read the full blog

How to use Project Templates in Orangescrum

Project Templates are productive means to structure and execute specific project types.

The basic idea behind project templates is to have a well-defined view, specific status workflow and corresponding task types etc. to make project execution smooth.

Orangescrum project management tool offers comprehensive project template features.

Based on careful review, customer requests and best practices, you can start with the following 8 project templates.

• Simple
• Kanban
• Scrum
• Content Management
• Task Tracking
• Bug Tracking
• Procurement
• Recruitment

Before we move on to the specifics, I would like to give you a quick rundown of project template benefits.

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5 Easy Ways to Improve Sprint Velocity in Scrum Teams

Increasing sprint velocity is often a top priority of scrum masters, product owners, and CEOs. However, higher velocity does not necessarily mean greater productivity. Focusing only on increasing velocity can be damaging to teams. An alternative is to focus on improving sprint velocity.

Improving velocity includes building consistency and increasing quality of work within sprints, as opposed to just increasing speed. In this article, you’ll learn what sprint velocity measures. You’ll also gain five tips for improving the velocity and productivity of your team. 

What Is Sprint Velocity?

Sprint velocity measures the amount of work completed in a sprint. Work completed includes any finished tasks, such as features, user stories, requirements, and backlog items. It does not include partially completed items. The amount of work is based on assigned point values of items, work hours, or ideal days.

Point values are determined by how large and complex an item is. More complex items count for more points. For points and work completed to be meaningful, teams must consistently assign values. To develop a reliable system, you should start with your simplest item and assign it a point value of one. You can then assign a value to the rest of your tasks according to this baseline case. 

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Understanding the Scrum Team and Scrum Roles | Orangescrum Tutorial

The Scrum Body of Knowledge Guide (SBOK Guide) has very well defined Scrum roles for successful implementation of Agile Scrum Methodology for product development and project delivery.

In the previous chapter, we provided an overview of how agile methodology came to life and how it gained popularity over the years and was widely accepted across industries. 

Continuing our efforts to help you gain more insights into the agile methodology, we would like to help you understand the basics of the Scrum Team and Scrum Roles.

Take a look at the below image to understand how the Scrum Roles are constituted and look in an actual Scrum implementation.

 

The major Scrum Roles are

• The Product Owner
• The Scrum Master
• The Development Team
• The Scrum Team or the Scrum Core Team

 

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How To Manage Distributed Teams With Agile Project Management

50% of the U.S. workforce will be remote by 2020.

In other words, managing a distributed team will lead to difficulties with engagement and collaboration, it's time to rethink your workplace strategy.

Here's how to manage remote/distributed teams with Agile Project Management. 

From a recent report, it was found, “In 2018/19, the application development process has emerged as the one witnessing maximum outsourcing opportunity – with 56% of the organizations around the world outsourcing their development requirements”.

(Source- https://appinventiv.com/blog/agile-project-as-clients-extended-distributed-team)

Outsourced software development has grown robustly in recent years. Companies are getting multiple perks by outsourcing their product development. The two main advantages are access to global technology skillset and the cost advantage. Most of the projects have teams that are dispersed and work on a distributed model.

And since 2005, the Remote Workforce Has Increased by 140%. That means exactly 10% each year.

Hence, remote companies have started following Agile Project Management to make sure that the distributed teams can connect with each other and complete the projects on time. An agile team can bring business agility, develop high-quality software, and work in a competitive environment.

But companies have to cope with multiple challenges including cultural gaps, language barriers, and time zone differences while managing their distributed agile teams.
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