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 Forum index » Meta » Puppetmaster Help
Question: which method of team organization works?
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unmortal_mind
Boot

Joined: 18 Apr 2007
Posts: 58
Location: Washington DC

 		Question: which method of team organization works?
Local vs. Networked
I ask the following question:
When organizing your PM team, have you found that finding people that you can meet face to face (ie. local) results in a more successful enterprise?

Or does a networked team (with people in different locations) work just as well? And if so, what techniques and technologies did you use to facilitate success when working on the planning?

I'm asking the question because I have had very few positive experiences as staff. In all of the cases, the teams were networked situations.

(In fact, I'm considering scrapping my own project because the situation is again networked and is not working. I'm seriously considering just contracting out the parts I need someone else to render and manage the writing and directing myself _or_ just moving on to a project that can be managed as a solo. Which says something when you'd rather pay someone than recruit a volunteer)

PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:26 am
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konamouse
Official uF Dietitian


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 8010
Location: My own alternate reality

 		I think either can work, depending on the psychological involvement of the team members.

When someone is tightly connected to the project from an emotional point - they want to see it through. But when it's just a side project (especially volunteers) then RL or paid opportunities are going to be a higher priority and they might let you down.

In the end you can only count on yourself - since the project is *your* baby. But if you can find others who want to share equally in the parenting of the game - if they are tightly invested in bring it to fruition and a successful ending, then it shouldn't matter if they are close enough to meet face-to-face, or if you have to teleconference. The only advantage to close proximity is real-time meetings can often get things done faster than waiting for electronic messaging. Or the fact you are all in the same time zone when you are arranging for PM planning chats.
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:30 am
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unmortal_mind
Boot

Joined: 18 Apr 2007
Posts: 58
Location: Washington DC
konamouse wrote:
I think either can work, depending on the psychological involvement of the team members.

When someone is tightly connected to the project from an emotional point - they want to see it through. But when it's just a side project (especially volunteers) then RL or paid opportunities are going to be a higher priority and they might let you down.


That prompts the question on my part:
What's the best way of ascertaining that commitment?
(Or finding that passionate connection to the narrative?)

Also, is it better to send a statement of expectations to any volunteer (with a signed confirmation) as a way of screening?

konamouse wrote:

In the end you can only count on yourself - since the project is *your* baby.


That is very true. Which is what prompted my thinking aloud that perhaps I'd be better off hiring people to handle certain aspects or finding people from outside of the community.

konamouse wrote:

But if you can find others who want to share equally in the parenting of the game - if they are tightly invested in bring it to fruition and a successful ending, then it shouldn't matter if they are close enough to meet face-to-face, or if you have to teleconference.


Unfortunately from my experiences with helping others with their projects, I've been left with the impression that teams are more professional and prompt (or courteous) with the communication and planning when they are all in the same area.

A volunteer shouldn't have to send periodic follow-up e-mails after accomplishing a task or sending an e-mail just to get an acknowledgement. I'm tempted to add that to my profile in the PM Recruitment thread.

And I truly dislike having to be like someone's mother just to get them to follow-through on what they have promised to do.

konamouse wrote:

The only advantage to close proximity is real-time meetings can often get things done faster than waiting for electronic messaging. Or the fact you are all in the same time zone when you are arranging for PM planning chats.


Well, at this point, the networked method of team organization has not been a productive endeavor for me (for my own projects and working on others) at this point, which leaves the alternative.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:40 pm
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Nighthawk
I Have 100 Cats and Smell of Wee


Joined: 14 Jul 2007
Posts: 4751
Location: Miami, Florida, USA, Earth

 		Local people down here, at least those capable enough to do what the task requires, are scarce. Of course, I'm as far from anything in the continental US as you can get.

Ineffabelle's trying to convince me to move to LA. Wink
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 12:41 pm
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