In a world where remote work is becoming the norm, agile management practices need to evolve. Leading the charge, founders and CEOs share their insights on adapting these practices for remote teams. Discover how asynchronous daily stand-ups can transform workflow, while integrating data-driven feedback loops keeps teams on track. Dive into the article to uncover a total of fifteen expert strategies designed to enhance remote team agility.
Implement Asynchronous Daily Stand-Ups
As someone who has managed remote teams extensively, I’ve adapted Agile management practices to suit the unique needs of a distributed workforce. One successful strategy we’ve implemented is asynchronous daily stand-ups.
Instead of traditional in-person stand-up meetings, we conduct daily check-ins asynchronously. Team members share updates on what they accomplished yesterday, what they’re working on today, and any obstacles they’re facing. This approach allows everyone to stay informed and engaged without the need to coordinate schedules across different time zones.
Sharon Koifman, Founder and Remote President, DistantJob
Combine Written Updates and Video Calls
One strategy that’s been particularly successful is our “virtual daily stand-up” approach.
Instead of traditional in-person stand-ups, we use a dedicated Slack channel where team members post their daily updates. They share what they accomplished yesterday, what they’re working on today, and any blockers they’re facing. This asynchronous method accommodates different time zones and allows for more thoughtful responses. It’s also created a written record that’s easy to reference.
The real game-changer was adding a weekly video call, where we discuss bigger-picture items and foster personal connections. This combo of daily written updates and weekly face-to-face time has kept our remote team agile, aligned, and connected. It’s amazing how a simple tweak to a standard practice can make such a big difference in a remote setting.
Justin Smith, CEO, Contractor+
Use End-Of-Week Reports
Our remote design team really benefits from end-of-week (EOW) reports. Everyone shares a quick rundown of what they got done, any roadblocks they hit, and what they’re aiming to tackle next. It keeps us all on the same page without anyone feeling micromanaged, and it’s a great way to spot challenges early.
Slack channels dedicated to each project or focus area have also been a huge help. With everything organized in one place, it’s easy to jump into discussions or ask for help when needed. Using EOW reports alongside these focused Slack channels keeps us connected and moving forward, even from a distance.
Juan Carlos Munoz, Co-Founder, CC Creative Design
Schedule Convenient Daily Stand-Ups
Successful project management, especially for remote teams, relies heavily on effective communication and regular check-ins. We understand this, which is why our strategy for adapting agile management practices for remote teams involves having daily stand-ups and structured meetings.
Having employees in different time zones, we ensure that our daily stand-up meetings are slated for a convenient time that allows all team members to participate. Moreover, we adhere to a strict 15-minute rule for the meetings, ensuring that only the necessary updates are highlighted. This rule keeps the meetings focused and leaves time for employees to focus on their deliverables.
Each stand-up meeting is led by the specific team leader or remote employee who is supposed to update on a key development that day. Planning this in advance helps avoid confusion and sets the tone for what will be discussed.
Clooney Wang, CEO, TrackingMore
Create a Digital Resource Hub
Adapting to remote work prompted me to create a digital resource hub—a centralized platform where my team could easily access templates, guidelines, and best practices for agile methodologies. This repository proved invaluable, serving as a quick reference that empowered team members to find the resources they needed without constantly seeking help. By fostering self-sufficiency, we cultivated a culture of independence and initiative.
I recommend that others develop similar hubs tailored to their teams’ specific needs. Consider adding sections for FAQs, best practices, and recorded training sessions to streamline onboarding for new members. This approach not only boosts productivity but also fosters a collaborative spirit, enabling teams to tackle challenges with confidence and agility.
Jeffrey Pitrak, Marketing Account Manager, Transient Specialists
Utilize a Shared Kanban Board
Running my business remotely meant adjusting our agile process to fit the team’s different time zones. What has worked well for us is a shared Kanban board where everyone can see what’s in progress and what needs attention. It’s simple but effective.
Last year, during our busiest season, this board was a life-saver. We were juggling product launches and customer inquiries, and having everything visually laid out kept everyone in sync, no matter where they were working from. We didn’t miss a beat because each team member could move tasks along the board as they completed them, and everyone knew what the priorities were at any given time.
Matt Little, Founder & Managing Director, Festoon House
Introduce Burst Coding Sessions
Adapting agile methodologies to our remote-team setup was crucial for keeping our development cycle dynamic and responsive. Initially, we struggled with the typical remote-work issues like syncing up across time zones and maintaining a cohesive team rhythm. To tackle this, we introduced what we called “The Daily Pulse,” a variation of the daily stand-up tailored for asynchronous communication. Each team member would post their daily objectives, progress, and any roadblocks in our designated Slack channel by noon in their local time. This approach allowed for flexibility and ensured that everyone was aligned with the day’s priorities without the constraint of a live meeting, which was often impractical given our global distribution.
One strategy that really transformed our workflow was the implementation of “Burst Coding Sessions.” Every sprint, we scheduled three-day periods where the entire team would minimize external communications and focus intensely on coding and feature development. During these sessions, we utilized a digital Kanban board where tasks moved through stages like “Design,” “Development,” “Test,” “Deploy,” and notably, “Focus Mode,” where developers could signal they were in a deep-work state. This not only boosted our output but also fostered a sense of achievement as we could visually track our progress.
These “Burst Sessions” became pivotal in pushing out new features or optimizations for our platform, enhancing our email campaign tools at a pace that kept us ahead in a competitive market. This agile adaptation not only improved our productivity but also strengthened team unity, as each member felt their time and contributions were valued and efficiently utilized.
Henry Timmes, CEO, Campaign Cleaner
Conduct Themed Sprint Reviews
Themed sprints: instead of a regular review, we’d also review the sprint from a specific standpoint.
For example, one time we focused on “Customer Impact,” and everyone shared how what we did contributed to customers’ experiences.
Another time we focused on “Innovation,” where we could all present creative solutions.
Whenever we could, we also invited stakeholders, like customers, in the “Customer Impact” sprint to get their actual perspectives instead of guessing.
Lana Rafaela Cindric, Content Marketer, SiteGuru
Combine Weekly Scrum and Quarterly Rocks
We’ve adapted agile management for our remote teams by combining weekly Scrum practices with quarterly “Rocks” goal-setting. This hybrid approach has been particularly effective in maintaining short-term productivity while keeping sight of longer-term objectives.
Our weekly Scrum meetings are held via video conference every Monday. We use a digital Kanban board to visualize our sprint backlog, which has been crucial for keeping everyone aligned despite the physical distance. During these meetings, team leaders share their progress, challenges, and plans for the week ahead. We’ve found that keeping these meetings to a strict 30-minute time frame helps maintain focus and engagement.
Quarterly, we set “Rocks”—our term for significant goals that align with our company’s annual objectives. These Rocks are broken down into smaller, manageable tasks that feed into our weekly sprints. For example, one of our Rocks last quarter was to increase our client retention rate by 15%. We broke this down into weekly tasks like implementing a new feedback system and developing a client-education program.
This combination of weekly Scrums and quarterly Rocks has helped us stay agile while not losing sight of the bigger picture. We’ve seen an increase in project-completion rates and a notable improvement in team morale since implementing this system. It’s all about maintaining consistency with the weekly check-ins while allowing flexibility in how individuals manage their daily tasks.
Aaron Whittaker, VP of Demand Generation & Marketing, Thrive Digital Marketing Agency
Transform Stand-Ups with Digital Updates
Digital stand-ups transformed our remote agile process. Instead of traditional morning meetings, we implemented asynchronous updates through Slack, allowing team members across time zones to share progress and blockers when it works best for them.
Our developers post three key points daily: completed tasks, upcoming work, and potential roadblocks. This approach increased productivity by 30% compared to traditional video stand-ups. Think of it like a digital relay race—each team member passes the baton smoothly without waiting for everyone to gather.
We complement this with bi-weekly video sprints for deeper discussions and problem-solving. The combination keeps projects moving while respecting our team’s work-life balance in different time zones. Clear communication channels and documented decisions ensure everyone stays aligned despite physical distance.
Harmanjit Singh, Founder & CEO, Origin Web Studios
Adopt Focused-Flexibility Schedules
Adapting agile management for remote teams has been vital to our success. One strategy that worked wonders was the implementation of “focused-flexibility” schedules. Unlike rigid check-ins, these are custom blocks where team members have core working hours overlapping partially, catering to diverse time zones while maintaining collaboration momentum. This structure particularly boosted our global branding projects, allowing designers and strategists across continents to sync up without overwhelming their personal schedules.
A tangible example of this is our branding project with Pro Photo Box. This adjustment led to a 30% reduction in project delivery time and improved the creative output quality, as team members could deep-dive into tasks during non-overlapping hours, promoting uninterrupted focus. Our clients noticed the difference—and so did our bottom line—by delivering sharper results promptly, ultimately enhancing client relationships and satisfaction.
Josh Cremer, Founder & CEO, The Rohg Agency
Increase Check-Ins with Shorter Huddles
With a remote team, we had to adapt our agile practices to ensure clear communication and project tracking. One of the biggest changes was creating more frequent but shorter check-ins. We moved from weekly meetings to daily 15-minute huddles, where everyone quickly shares updates. This way, we stay on track without overwhelming anyone.
I remember a big project where we had to evaluate a fleet of construction equipment, and the client needed updates in real-time. These quick huddles allowed us to identify bottlenecks early, assign tasks immediately, and keep everything moving smoothly. It’s made remote work feel much more connected and efficient for us.
Tracie Crites, Chief Marketing Officer, HEAVY Equipment Appraisal
Integrate Data-Driven Feedback Loops
Adapting agile practices for remote teams has been quite the journey post-COVID. We introduced “data-driven feedback loops.” Instead of sticking to the usual performance reviews, we have been tracking metrics in real-time, like project completion rates and response times. This keeps everyone accountable and also gives employees space. I learned that 20% of remote workers struggle with loneliness, so we made it a point to integrate regular “virtual team-building exercises” like online games, casual coffee chats, and even Netflix parties to help everyone feel more connected.
We also leaned into “asynchronous communication.” By setting clear expectations around response times and using tools like Slack for updates, we gave our team the freedom to work during their most productive hours. I’ve found that about 80% of remote workers appreciate flexibility, and it’s amazing to see how this can boost productivity by around 25%.
We’ve also tapped into “predictive analytics” to understand our workload better. By looking at historical data on peak shipping seasons, we could prepare our logistics operations in advance, ensuring that our remote teams had the support they needed when things got busy.
Yuting Shu, Operation Manager, Allwayforward
Focus on Micro-Milestones
What we’ve done is focus on micro-milestones. In a remote setting, where you don’t have that in-person energy and immediate feedback loops, it’s common for tasks to drag on or lose focus. So, instead of just relying on the usual two-week sprints, we break down projects into even smaller, bite-sized goals. These micro-milestones help the team see their progress every few days, keeping the energy up even when we’re all working from different places.
These smaller goals make it easier for everyone to see what they’re contributing to the larger project, which is important when you don’t have that casual hallway chat or spontaneous brainstorming session to keep you connected. It also means there are more opportunities to spot issues early. If a task slips off track, you can address it before it becomes a bigger problem. This keeps the team engaged and on the same page without anyone feeling like they’re being watched over too closely.
Mushfiq Sarker, Chief Executive Officer, LaGrande Marketing
Utilize Effective Communication Tools
For quite some time, we have been practicing agile management for our teams, which are onshore, nearshore, and offshore (remote teams). Adapting agile management practices for remote teams can be highly effective with the right strategies. Here are some key approaches:
- Effective Communication – Utilize tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams for real-time communication and collaboration. Establish clear communication norms and regular check-ins to ensure everyone is aligned.
- Accommodating Time Zones – Schedule meetings at times that are convenient for all team members, or rotate meeting times to share the burden. Plan for some overlap work time across team members of different time zones. Use asynchronous communication methods, such as recorded video updates or detailed written summaries, to keep everyone informed.
- Creating an Effective Working Environment – Ensure all team members have the necessary infrastructure, including high-speed internet, proper hardware, and access to required software. A basic video camera and a simple microphone are needed to attend calls.
- Supporting Team Collaboration – Foster a culture of trust and openness where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. Use virtual whiteboards and collaboration tools to facilitate brainstorming and problem-solving sessions. Have regular virtual happy hours to build team collaboration.
- Facilitating Effective Online Meetings – Keep meetings focused and concise, with clear agendas and outcomes. Encourage active participation.
- Maintaining Team Morale and Culture – Organize virtual social events, such as coffee breaks or happy hours, to build camaraderie. Recognize and celebrate team achievements to keep morale high.
- Leveraging Agile Tools and Technologies – Use project management tools like Jira, Trello, or Asana to track progress and manage tasks. Implement continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines to streamline development processes.
By focusing on these strategies, remote agile teams can maintain productivity, foster collaboration, and achieve their goals effectively.
Jayaram Bhogi, Manager, Delivery & Support
Brett Farmiloe is the founder of Featured, a Q&A platform that connects brands with expert insights.
Team stock image by fizkes/Shutterstock
