233- Team Spaces

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms about team space design, colocation, communication modes, and challenges of global/distributed teams.

Colocated Team

A team whose members work in the same physical location to maximize face-to-face interaction and collaboration.

Virtual Colocation

Using always-on video/voice tools (Zoom, Webex, etc.) to simulate a shared workspace when members are geographically separated.

Osmotic Communication

Unintentional knowledge transfer that occurs when team members overhear questions and answers in a shared workspace.

Tacit Knowledge

Practical know-how that is not written down but learned informally within the group (e.g., clearing a paper jam).

Cave (in Team Space)

A small private area where individuals can retreat for confidential calls or focused solo work.

Low Tech, High Touch Tools

Simple, physical collaboration aids such as whiteboards, sticky notes, flip charts, and task boards.

Round Table Setup

Furniture arrangement that lets everyone face one another, enabling quick visual cues and richer discussion.

33-Foot Rule

Guideline that teammates should sit within ~10 meters (33 ft) to maintain easy verbal communication without barriers.

Global / Distributed Team

A project group whose members are spread across multiple locations, often with different time zones and cultures.

Time-Zone Challenge

Coordination difficulty caused by teammates working and sleeping at opposite hours.

Cultural Diversity Issue

Collaboration hurdle arising from differing holidays, workdays, languages, accents, or communication styles.

Video Communication

Preferred remote channel that conveys facial expressions and body language, improving understanding over voice alone.

Interactive Whiteboard

Online tool that lets distributed teams sketch, annotate, and brainstorm together in real time.

Virtual Card Wall

Digital Kanban or task board used to track work items with virtual sticky notes for remote teams.

Instant Messaging (IM)

Real-time text chat that supports quick questions, status checks, and informal conversation among team members.

Camera-On Policy

Practice of keeping webcams active during remote work to replicate face-to-face presence and boost engagement.