sf-agent-framework/sf-core/teams/distributed-team.md

AI Agent Orchestration Framework for Salesforce Development - Two-phase architecture with 70% context reduction

# Distributed Team Configuration

This configuration addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of
geographically distributed Salesforce teams, optimizing for collaboration across
time zones and cultures.

## Team Composition

```yaml
team:
  name: Global Salesforce Delivery Team
  distribution: Multi-timezone
  locations:
    - Americas (EST/PST)
    - Europe (GMT/CET)
    - Asia-Pacific (IST/SGT)
  size: 8-15 members
  methodology: Distributed Agile

  geographic_distribution:
    americas_hub:
      timezone: EST/PST
      roles:
        - sf-orchestrator (1)
        - sf-analyst (1)
        - sf-developer (1-2)

    europe_hub:
      timezone: GMT/CET
      roles:
        - sf-architect (1)
        - sf-admin (1)
        - sf-qa (1-2)

    apac_hub:
      timezone: IST/SGT
      roles:
        - sf-developer (2-3)
        - sf-devops (1)
        - sf-translator (1)
```

## Time Zone Management

```yaml
timezone_strategy:
  overlap_windows:
    americas_europe:
      window: 9:00-11:00 AM EST
      duration: 2 hours
      activities:
        - Architecture discussions
        - Sprint planning
        - Critical decisions

    europe_apac:
      window: 2:00-5:00 PM CET
      duration: 3 hours
      activities:
        - Technical reviews
        - Knowledge transfer
        - Integration testing

    americas_apac:
      window: 8:00-9:00 PM PST
      duration: 1 hour
      activities:
        - Handoffs
        - Urgent issues
        - Quick syncs

  24_hour_cycle:
    americas_day:
      - Requirements gathering
      - Stakeholder meetings
      - Design work

    europe_day:
      - Development continuation
      - Testing execution
      - Documentation

    apac_day:
      - Development start
      - DevOps activities
      - Integration work
```

## Communication Framework

```yaml
async_communication:
  primary_channels:
    slack:
      structure:
        -  #general - Team updates
        -  #dev - Development discussions
        -  #qa - Testing coordination
        -  #daily-standup - Async updates
        -  #random - Team building

      best_practices:
        - Thread discussions
        - Use timezone bot
        - Record decisions
        - Tag urgency level

    documentation:
      confluence:
        - Meeting notes
        - Technical designs
        - Decision records
        - Knowledge base

      video_recordings:
        - Important meetings
        - Technical demos
        - Training sessions
        - Architecture reviews

  sync_communication:
    scheduled_meetings:
      global_sync:
        frequency: Weekly
        time: Rotating schedule
        duration: 1 hour
        mandatory: All

      regional_standups:
        frequency: Daily
        time: Regional morning
        duration: 15 minutes
        format: Video optional

      paired_sessions:
        frequency: As needed
        overlap: Natural overlap hours
        purpose: Complex work
```

## Distributed Workflows

```yaml
follow_the_sun_model:
  handoff_process:
    end_of_day:
      - Update Jira tickets
      - Commit all code
      - Document blockers
      - Slack status update
      - Next steps outlined

    start_of_day:
      - Review handoff notes
      - Check Slack updates
      - Pull latest code
      - Continue work
      - Acknowledge receipt

  work_distribution:
    americas_focus:
      - Business analysis
      - Stakeholder engagement
      - UI/UX design
      - Sprint planning

    europe_focus:
      - Core development
      - Code reviews
      - Testing coordination
      - Architecture design

    apac_focus:
      - Integration development
      - DevOps tasks
      - Automated testing
      - Performance optimization
```

## Collaboration Tools

```yaml
tool_stack:
  communication:
    synchronous:
      - Zoom (video calls)
      - Slack (instant messaging)
      - Around (virtual office)

    asynchronous:
      - Loom (video messages)
      - Confluence (documentation)
      - Jira (task management)

  development:
    code_collaboration:
      - GitHub/GitLab
      - VS Code Live Share
      - Pull request reviews

    design_collaboration:
      - Miro (whiteboarding)
      - Figma (UI design)
      - Draw.io (diagrams)

  productivity:
    time_management:
      - World clock meeting planner
      - Calendly (scheduling)
      - Timezone.io (team timezones)

    project_tracking:
      - Jira with timezone support
      - Confluence spaces
      - Shared calendars
```

## Cultural Considerations

```yaml
cultural_awareness:
  communication_styles:
    guidelines:
      - Direct vs indirect communication
      - Written clarity emphasis
      - Visual aids usage
      - Meeting etiquette

  holidays_and_time_off:
    management:
      - Shared holiday calendar
      - Coverage planning
      - Respect for local customs
      - Flexible scheduling

  team_building:
    virtual_activities:
      - Coffee chats
      - Online games
      - Cultural sharing sessions
      - Virtual lunch meetings

    in_person_gatherings:
      - Annual team meetup
      - Regional gatherings
      - Conference attendance
      - Training events
```

## Quality Assurance

```yaml
distributed_qa_process:
  testing_coordination:
    test_planning:
      - Centralized test repository
      - Clear test assignments
      - Timezone-aware scheduling

    test_execution:
      - Regional test environments
      - Automated test suites
      - Manual test distribution

    defect_management:
      - 24-hour triage cycle
      - Clear severity definitions
      - Regional assignments

  code_quality:
    review_process:
      - Async code reviews
      - Clear review SLAs
      - Documentation standards
      - Automated checks
```

## Knowledge Management

```yaml
knowledge_sharing:
  documentation:
    standards:
      - Everything documented
      - Searchable format
      - Regular updates
      - Version control

    types:
      - Technical specs
      - Meeting recordings
      - Decision logs
      - How-to guides

  training:
    onboarding:
      - Self-paced modules
      - Recorded sessions
      - Buddy system
      - Regional mentors

    continuous_learning:
      - Tech talks (recorded)
      - Knowledge workshops
      - Certification support
      - Cross-training
```

## Performance Management

```yaml
distributed_team_metrics:
  productivity:
    measurement:
      - Output quality
      - Delivery velocity
      - Collaboration effectiveness
      - Communication clarity

    not_measured:
      - Hours online
      - Message count
      - Meeting attendance only

  team_health:
    indicators:
      - Engagement scores
      - Communication flow
      - Knowledge sharing
      - Work-life balance

    surveys:
      - Monthly pulse checks
      - Quarterly deep dives
      - Annual reviews
      - Exit interviews
```

## Risk Mitigation

```yaml
distributed_team_risks:
  communication_risks:
    mitigation:
      - Over-communicate
      - Document everything
      - Regular check-ins
      - Clear escalation paths

  technical_risks:
    mitigation:
      - Robust CI/CD
      - Automated testing
      - Code standards
      - Peer reviews

  coordination_risks:
    mitigation:
      - Clear ownership
      - Defined handoffs
      - Overlap planning
      - Backup assignments

  cultural_risks:
    mitigation:
      - Cultural training
      - Open dialogue
      - Flexible policies
      - Inclusive practices
```

## Success Patterns

```yaml
distributed_success_factors:
  communication:
    - Async-first mindset
    - Clear written communication
    - Regular video calls
    - Documentation culture

  process:
    - Well-defined workflows
    - Clear handoff procedures
    - Automated processes
    - Flexible scheduling

  technology:
    - Reliable tools
    - Good internet connectivity
    - Collaboration platforms
    - Cloud-based development

  culture:
    - Trust and autonomy
    - Results-oriented
    - Inclusive practices
    - Continuous improvement

  leadership:
    - Distributed leadership model
    - Regional champions
    - Clear vision
    - Regular recognition
```

## Operational Guidelines

```yaml
operational_excellence:
  meeting_guidelines:
    - Record important meetings
    - Rotate meeting times
    - Share agendas early
    - Document decisions

  work_guidelines:
    - Core hours definition
    - Response time SLAs
    - Availability transparency
    - Emergency protocols

  tool_guidelines:
    - Standardized toolset
    - Regular training
    - Best practices docs
    - Support channels
```