233- Team Spaces

Colocated Teams

• Definition: Entire team shares the same physical workspace ("virtual colocation" possible via always-on video).
• Exam rule of thumb: If a question cites communication or space conflicts, choosing “colocate the team” is almost always correct.
• Best practice
  • Frequent face-to-face interaction; members within 33 ft.
  • Eliminate walls & large separations; ensure line-of-sight.
  • Prefer round (not wall-facing) tables to observe expressions.
  • Supply low-tech, high-touch aids: whiteboards, sticky notes, task boards, flip charts.
  • Provide a "cave"—small room for private or personal calls.

Osmotic Communication

• Info spreads passively by overhearing nearby conversations.
• Enables rapid problem-solving & shared tacit knowledge (undocumented know-how, e.g., clearing a paper jam).
• Relies on common physical/visual presence; video can partially substitute in virtual setups.

Designing Virtual Colocation

• Keep video conference (Zoom/Webex/Teams) open throughout the workday.
• Mute mics when not speaking, but leave cameras on to retain visual cues.
• Video > phone; face-to-face remains the gold standard.

Distributed & Culturally Diverse Teams

• Challenges
  • Time-zone gaps (sleep/work mismatch, 24-h hand-offs)
  • Differing holidays/weekends (e.g., Friday vs. Sunday off)
  • Language barriers, accents, varied communication styles
• Mitigations
  • Schedule overlapping hours; rotate inconvenient meeting times.
  • Acknowledge cultural calendars in planning.
  • Employ clear, simple language; confirm understanding.

Tools for Remote Collaboration

• Video conferencing with cameras on (primary).
• Interactive whiteboards (built into Zoom/Webex/Teams, etc.).
• Instant messaging & VoIP calls for quick questions.
• Virtual card / Kanban walls for tasks & sticky-note simulation.

Quick Exam Reminders

• "Colocate the team" = frequent correct answer to communication issues.
• Face-to-face > video > phone; prefer visual channels whenever possible.
• Low-tech, high-touch artifacts (whiteboards, sticky notes) foster transparency and collaboration.
• Provide both open collaboration space and private "caves" for individual needs.