Containing practical tools and proven techniques for managing virtual teams for optimum performance, this text uses real-world examples and specific guidelines to show the reader how distributed work groups can be even more productive, effective and flexible than traditional co-located teams. The book looks at communication, control, monitoring, team buiding, cultural differences, and legal and process issues. There are step-by-step procedures for "transitioning teams", and tips on using high-speed networks and groupware as tools for solving problems. The software serves as an assessment tool to help make the distributed team more effective.