Managing globally distributed teams: beyond technology solutions

Increasingly, companies are finding that competing effectively on a global scale requires the use of project teams whose members are globally distributed. But, as companies are discovering, managing globally distributed teams presents unique challenges requiring unique solutions. This paper discusses how these challenges were met in the Digital Equipment Corporation to effectively manage their globally distributed teams. The authors discuss actions that the manager of one of Digital's globally distributed teams took to motivate its members, create a "safe" work environment, and manage the electronic workplace. They elaborate on why these and other practices were successful and, lastly, suggest how other companies might benefit from this company's experience.