I found a simple definition for the term virtual team in the book, Mastering Virtual Teams written by Deborah Duarte and Nancy Tennant Snyder. It reads:
“A virtual team is group of people who use technology to collaborate across space, time and organizational boundaries.”
Would you consider that a fair definition? To me, Mastering Virtual Teams’ definition sounds a just bit off target. It is too simplistic.
No more than we would describe the American football team, the New England Patriots as simply, a group of people who use sports equipment to collaborate on a grassy field . . . should we describe a virtual team as merely “a group of people who use the same technology to collaborate”. It’s a rather paltry definition because the Patriots are of course, waaaay more than that and similarly, so are virtual teams.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the New England Patriots are a force to reckoned. The Patriots have gone to their Division Playoffs 13 times. They are 1 of only 2 NFL teams to win three Superbowls in four years and the ONLY team with a 21-game winning streak! In short, they are POWERFUL. And, so are virtual teams!
Did you know that virtual teams have the power to save your life?
History has taught us that companies must prepare for whatever unexpected event might stop their business from operating. Since the aftermath of September 11, virtual work teams have become a matter of necessity. On that tragic day, New York emergency workers were unable to get to post due to road closings and increased security precautions and government workers at the Pentagon were left without offices and therefore, had no way to carry out critical government functions.
Since then, virtual teams (and the technologies that support them) have been integrated into federal government continuity plans. In 2010, President Obama signed into law, a bill aimed at increasing telework within the federal government. Under the Telework Enhancement Act, government agencies were given 180 days to do three things:
- establish policies on working remotely
- identify eligible employees and;
- inform those employees of the option to work remotely
Think about it. The virtual workforce may be the vehicle that will enable governments and corporations to continue service to constituents in the event of terrorist attacks, snowstorms, and national or perhaps even, global disasters. And you thought they were just for saving you gas!
