'A Virtual Project'

The benefits of an all – distance work group for such a scenario is that those inputting the content are forced to think in a frame of mind that, ideally, benefits web interaction, ultimately. They are forced to consider people “outside the room”, whereas a physically-proximate work group may fall privy to thinking ‘locally’ and thus introduce a different design and functionality impact on the site itself. Another advantage, if this is to be an employee-wide website, is that it guarantees a diversity in corporate representation and interest across the company’s theatre of operations. Say, for example, Amazon.com sought a dramatic re-invention of its e-commerce site and the work team consisted only of developers native to the Seattle office. User interaction habits on the East Coast or Deep South may be paid significantly less attentions in the early development stage and would possibly result in a site that may have a fine local, regional appeal but perhaps less utility in other parts of the country/globe. Disadvantages count as coordination challenges, regional time zones, communication flows, and general site interaction. In such a situation, it is absolutely vital to have a project manager who can oversee all aspects of site development and serve as the core source of information and direction for an otherwise segregated, disparately focused team.


“We-ness” is especially difficult to accommodate over the web, though it would be assumed that the team members bring a certain degree of experience with online task forcing. I would most likely incorporate a combination of all available web technologies to facilitate as close to personable interaction as possible, at least in the early development stage. Combinations of tools such as Live Meeting, teleconferences, and video conferences (if accessible) would be employed to introduce the work group to each other and during staged demonstrations of site progress. More novel approaches like ‘Second Life’ meetings most likely wouldn’t serve as substantive development devices, but would do much to foster engagement and interest in the project at hand.