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9 - PROJECT HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

9.2.2.4 Virtual teams

The use of virtual teams creates new possibilities when acquiring project team members. Virtual teams can be
defined as groups of people with a shared goal who fulfill their roles with little or no time spent meeting face to
face. The availability of communication technology such as e-mail, audio conferencing, social media, web-based
meetings and video conferencing has made virtual teams feasible. The virtual team model makes it possible to:
• Form teams of people from the same organization who live in widespread geographic areas;

• Add special expertise to a project team even though the expert is not in the same geographic area;
• Incorporate employees who work from home offices;

• Form teams of people who work different shifts, hours, or days;
• Include people with mobility limitations or disabilities; and

• Move forward with projects that would have been ignored due to travel expenses.
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There are some disadvantages related to virtual teams, such as possibility for misunderstandings, feeling
of isolation, difficulties in sharing knowledge and experience between team members, and cost of appropriate
technology. Communication planning becomes increasingly important in a virtual team environment. Additional
time may be needed to set clear expectations, facilitate communications, develop protocols for resolving conflict,
include people in decision making, understand cultural differences, and share credit in successes.

9.2.2.5 Multi-criteria decision Analysis

Selection criteria are often used as a part of acquiring the project team. By use of a multi-criteria decision
analysis tool, criteria are developed and used to rate or score potential team members. The criteria are weighted
according to the relative importance of the needs within the team. Some examples of selection criteria that can be
used to score team members are shown as follows:
• Availability. Identify whether the team member is available to work on the project within the time period
needed. If there are there any concerns for availability during the project timeline.

• cost. Verify if the cost of adding the team member is within the prescribed budget.
• Experience. Verify that the team member has the relevant experience that will contribute to the project
success.

• Ability. Verify that the team member has the competencies needed by the project.

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©2013 Project Management Institute. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) – Fifth Edition 271

Licensed To: Jorge Diego Fuentes Sanchez PMI MemberID: 2399412
This copy is a PMI Member benefit, not for distribution, sale, or reproduction.