There are downsides to managing or working in virtual teams. Team members can feel disconnected from one another and from their organizations, and managers may struggle to keep track of projects that may involve people working on multiple projects, being members of several teams--and in different cities, countries, continents, and time zones.

Communication becomes even more critical when more than 1 team needs the same resources--people, time and budget. A recent UK survey of workers concludes that "virtual teams needs significantly better, more disciplined communication, as well as structured routine, than teams in one place." (N. Canham)

Attention to brainstorming between teams that is done virtually may offer an important solution.

Your gut feeling may be that virtual brainstorming sessions are in no way as effective as in-person ones. But, actually, virtual sessions can prove to be better on several counts!

In a 2015 Harvard Business Review article, Why Brainstorming Works Better Online, psychologist Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic states that virtual [brainstorming] sessions generate more high-quality ideas and have a higher average of creative ideas per person, as well as resulting in higher levels of satisfaction with the ideas. Chamorro-Premuzics research also revealed that almost 70 percent of participants perform worse in traditional sessions compared to virtual ones.

Virtual Brainstorming Techniques;

Brainwriting: A series of rounds in which people use the chat function to write down an agreed to number of ideas. Many times 3 ideas are used. All participants are encouraged to write. Then, with a facilitator's help, the group reviews ideas for commonalities to make a list. There may also be a review/identification of different or outlying ideas.

Figure Storming: Using 2-3 suggestions from a facilitator, a group identifies a well-known person--someone admired. Each member of the session, then puts themselves into that person's shoes to solve a problem the teams are experiencing. How might the well-admired person solve the problem? These ideas are entered into the chat and then made into a list. Addressing the problem from someone else's view, often helps when feeling like there is a "brick wall". Interesting ideas and views appear.

Use of an app, such as ideaboardz.com. Best done over 2-3 days, with each person having access to the URL and a deadline for completion.

How can virtual brainstorming lessen tension?

Imagine use of 1 of these virtual brainstorming tools. What is appealing? What might be a barrier to use? Do you believe that virtual brainstorming can support the reduction of inter team (between teams) conflict?