working remotely | Atomic Spin

Project & Team Management

Just Phoning it In? 4 Ways to Keep Daily Remote Standup Calls Valuable

As Zoom fatigue mounts and the days blend together, it can be hard to keep daily standup calls on track. Here are a few ways to keep them a valuable use of your team's time.

Development Practices

4 Ways to Meet the Challenge of Unexpected Remote Pairing

Better remote pairing means better code and stronger bonds between teammates. Don't be afraid to iterate and try new things.

Personal Optimization

4 Steps to Starting a Daily Standup with Your Family During Remote Work/School

Family standup meetings have helped us maintain harmony in our household while keeping our work-from-home and school productivity levels high.

Personal Optimization

3 Ideas for Refocusing When Working from Home

Working from home presents different challenges than working in an office environment. Here are my favorite strategies for focusing while working from home.

Workplace

Finding Remote Work Inspiration from Sudoku

What can we gain from this time of new forced constraints that we can continue to benefit from even when those constraints are gone?

Project & Team Management

Staying Socially Connected in a Socially-Distanced Office

As a manager, being remote from my team while social distancing is tough. But I’ve added two new practices that help fill the gap.

Project & Team Management

How to Facilitate a Knowledge Transfer Remotely

Although it's not ideal, knowledge transfers can be held remotely. Go into them with a game plan, but be ready to change course if necessary.

Project & Team Management

How to Leverage Estimation Meetings when Onboarding Remotely

If you're onboarding a new teammate, don't miss the opportunity to use estimation meetings to help them grow. Here are a few tips for getting started.

Growing as Makers

Developing from Home? Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

When I started working from home, I had to adjust to the extra effort it takes to communicate with others. It was easy to wrestle with problems alone.

Exploratory Testing

3 Ways to Give Directions to Exploratory Testers Who Are Working from Home

I need to focus my testing on the most critical areas of an application. So how do I stay aligned with developers when we can't meet face to face?

Extracurricular Activities

How to Use an Old iPhone as a Webcam for Your Mac

With webcams out of stock everywhere, I'm making do with an old smartphone. I'll compare EpocCam and Iriun Webcam, explain my setup, and talk compatibility.

Personal Optimization

Four Tips for Surviving Full-Time Remote Work with a Toddler

We're all working in unusual circumstances — our kids need some understanding, and so do we. Here's how I'm making it work with a toddler at home.