5 Ways to Monitor the Activity of Your Remote Team

Managing a remote team effectively involves ensuring productivity and accountability without compromising trust and morale. Here are five ways to monitor remote team activities, along with their pros and cons, and RooCruit's insights to help you choose the best approach.

1. Tracking Software

Tracking software such as Hubstaff or Time Doctor logs activity and takes screenshots of employees' laptops at regular intervals.

Pros: Very transparent; offers a clear and detailed view of remote employees' activities. Ensures employees stay on task.

Cons: Can feel invasive, leading to discomfort and resentment. Suggests a lack of trust in employees' ability to manage their time.

2. Agreeing on KPIs

Setting Key Performance Indicators allows both parties to understand and agree on what needs to be achieved within a specific timeframe.

Pros: Clear expectations; reduces ambiguity by setting specific, measurable goals. Objective measurement minimizes the risk of work output manipulation.

Cons: Efficiency paradox if employees complete tasks quickly. May not accommodate creative or less quantifiable aspects of some roles.

3. Recordings

For roles such as sales, technologies like CircleLoop or Dialpad enable companies to monitor call volumes and listen to recordings.

Pros: Provides a clear metric for performance, especially in sales roles. Makes it difficult for salespeople to misuse their time.

Cons: Time-consuming to review recordings. Potential for over-scrutiny and micromanagement.

4. Request Time Sheets

Time sheets can provide insights into how remote staff members spend their time and whether their productivity levels are adequate.

Pros: Quick to review; provides a snapshot of daily activities. Helps identify how time is allocated across different tasks.

Cons: Employees can falsify or manipulate their time sheets. Filling out time sheets can feel like an additional administrative burden.

5. Regular Meetings

Regular check-ins and meetings ensure that clients and remote teams stay aligned on goals and progress.

Pros: Enhances communication and strengthens relationships with remote team members. Keeps everyone updated on project status.

Cons: Can be a significant time investment. Too many meetings can lead to meeting fatigue and decreased productivity.

Effectively monitoring the activity of your remote team is essential for maintaining productivity and ensuring the success of your projects. It's crucial to balance oversight with trust, respecting your team's autonomy while ensuring accountability.