One of the major trends in business is a move toward  virtual workplaces. In situations where this is not in place or not appropriate, virtual teams can be utilized within a more traditional workplace.

In a virtual team, members are dispersed, either geographically or organizationally with their primary communications through electronic means (versus face-to-face). Team membership is also more likely to change over time than with traditional single-location teams.

Advantages of a virtual team

• Saves time and travel expenses
• Eliminates moving expenses
• Provides access to experts
• Greater flexibility in team membership
• Less cost to use outside consultants
• Easier to hire and retain team members
• Better accommodation to team members personal & professional lives
• Dynamic team membership
• Allows assignment to multiple teams simultaneously
• Provides faster response to market demands
• See also virtual workplace advantages

Disadvantages of a virtual team