Transition to a Remote Workforce

May 13, 2020
Posted in Resources
May 13, 2020 sean.booker

Even before COVID-19, teams across industries were moving to a remote, cloud-based methodology. Allowing for more work-life balance and having the potential for increased productivity, cloud-based workforces are quickly becoming the new norm. 

If it hasn’t already, your company might soon go cloud-based and your team may move to a remote setup. Here are the 4 key tips to an effective cloud-based, remote transition that maintains staff productivity, individual mental health, and company culture. 

“Cloud computing gives DevOps teams a massively scalable, endlessly versatile, and highly cost-effective platform for building software as well as for deploying and running it.”

New Relic, 2019

1. Tailor Your Tools 

The first and arguably most important step is choosing and rolling your main cloud collaboration tool. From Facebook Workplace to Microsoft Teams, there are numerous options available for remote workplaces. 

When we get into DevOps engineering and other technical teams, though, any old platform won’t cut it. Effective collaboration includes code functionalities and implementation tracking, flagging, and more. Fortunately, Slack and countless startups are rising up with solutions to the most technical cloud-based team needs. Do the research and identify the appropriate platform for your team. 

2. Support the Staff

When rolling out (or newly relying on) your cloud collaboration tool, offer extensive support and training so staff feel comfortable in the new environment. Every engineer or team member should know where to go with a technical question, work request, or personal problem. Set up the avenues for remote support in advance. 

Team leaders can regularly check in with teams through surveys, one-on-one video calls, activity metrics, and group chats. By staying involved and noticing red flags in their staff, a good leader can intervene and provide support where and when it’s needed.  

3. Establish Expectations 

Through metrics, work output, and/or team or client feedback, you’re able to monitor your team’s progress and performance. From the beginning, make it clear how they’ll be held accountable and what you’re expecting. Check in from time to time so they know you’re keeping track. Use specific KPIs to encourage concrete performance objectives. With clear expectations and regular check-ins, your remote team will be more motivated to hit goals and increase performance. 

4. Care About Culture

Having hired a great team, put the right cloud tools in place, offered support, and ensured continued performance, you’re already creating the environment for a stellar company culture. Promoting additional cloud-based activities and team bonding are important, though, as they’ll pay off with longer-term employee retention, increased satisfaction, and improved recruiting. 

Just some ways of rallying your remote troops can include…

  • flexibility with schedules, great benefits, and company perks
  • an “open door” policy that encourages feedback from everyone
  • transparency and regular communication from management
  • virtual “happy hours” or other team building virtual activities
  • online social groups within your company that help employees share interests

No matter your region or type of technical team, remote working is the way of the future and cloud computing can get us there. 

The quicker you start building for this new culture, the better off you’ll be. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that the future of work is remote, and… remote DevOps is here to stay.”

Forbes, 2020
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