The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has released guidance for Australian Public Service teams now working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DTA said the guidance recommended Kanban boards as a simple, effective way for teams to keep track of work while working from home.
“The simplest Kanban has three columns — To Do, Doing, and Done,” DTA said.
“Kanban boards also let the team acknowledge when you move something into the Done column,” it said.
“At the end of the week, the team has a great view of what it has achieved.”
It said software like Trello, Jira or Asana could be used to set up a Kanban board.
“Use real time channels to communicate,” DTA said.
“Tools like Slack, Skype, and GovTEAMS can help you get your team together and talk about what needs to be done.”
The Agency also urged people to avoid just talking about work while remotely located during the pandemic
“We’ve set up Slack channels such as a Watercooler channel so people can share funny things they find,” DTA said.
“Check in with individual team members and colleagues for a chat every now and then.”
It said these conversations were important in today’s unprecedented times – “we need to continue these bonds”.
“Use video as much as you can – seeing each other is important for mental health and maintaining team culture.”
The Agency said its new guidance was the first in a series of blogs planned to help workers negotiate the new way of working.
