Geographically dispersed teams are work groups with members separated by time and distance. Essential to the success of organizations in a global marketplace, these teams create unique challenges to effective task performance. This report summarizes what the important literature on GDTs has to say about how they should be formed, developed, and led. It is primarily for individuals charged with creating or leading GDTs, for designers who provide the technology for these teams, for trainers who are expected to help these teams develop and operate, and for organizational consultants called in to assist.

Getting your team off on the right foot is critical to its success. This guidebook tells managers and team leaders how to address four critical points during the launch of a team: setting purpose and direction, defining roles and responsibilities, designing procedures and practices, and building cooperation and relationships. Understanding and implementing these key elements is key to a team's achieving the goals the organization has set for it.

Dispersed teams have members in different countries, cultures, and time zones. Such teams share some important characteristics with local teams, but they also present unique challenges. Organizations need to prepare for and support them properly to realize their full potential.