Remote work – on the end of this page you might find projects, (volunteer or work)-opportunities and articles related to “remote work”. Feel free to read our description of remote working, smart working and agile working, and let us know what you think. You can also contribute to this section by writing an article (contact us), or adding your own “remote work” opportunity (add your listing).

What is remote working?

Smart working, home working, remote working, agile working… let’s try to shed some light on the matter.

Remote Working (or smart working?)

Remote & smart work are recurring expressions in TV news reports. They often refer to measures that could help counter the spread of COVID-19. In general, they identify the option of working from home using IT tools.

In English, remote working is often a synonym for working from home, (hence the acronym “WFH”), or smart working, agile working or even telework, as we can hear from the British and American media reports these days.

However in English, “smart working” has a slightly different meaning: it describes “flexible work” that features:

• improved working processes
• the use of technologies and tools that make work more functional (Smart).

The most important aspect, which marks a clear difference with the “past” models of work is this one: the obligation to have a “one-place workstation” in which to work, is no longer necessary. A large number of workers, especially in this period, carry out their job tasks in their own homes (but it could also be a bar, a restaurant, a bench in a park or any place with an internet connection, Wi-Fi or mobile phones (via tethering function).

Another approach, very common nowadays, is the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). It refers to the possibility for employees and collaborators to use their personal devices.

Smart Working

Smart Working adds to the concept of flexibility of time and place (both present in Remote Working). It features:

• better efficiency through optimised processes,
• more autonomy
• more collaboration.
• all technologies and tools (e.g. connectivity, personal productivity software, mobile devices, online conferencing, etc.) are of great importance, with the aim of working ‘intelligently’ (‘smart’) and thus making work more functional.

Agile Working

Agile Working is very often juxtaposed with the term Smart Working. However, is a direct evolution of the latter, with which it shares several aspects.

Agile Working does not only focus on technologies and processes. The main objective of its approach is to search for the best combination of factors in completing a specific task, e.g. faster time, more correct execution paths and concrete project autonomy, for both employers and employees.

This way of working strongly relies on the fundamental role of trust between team members and on the diversity of skills as an added value for the achievement of objectives.

So what role does the use of technology play?

In Smart Working, for example, technology is useful as a tool to facilitate remote communication. In Agile Working it also replaces written and bureaucratic communication.  By eliminating the “classic” hierarchical structures, these groups have the opportunity to carry out a project and to assess its progress, with good margins for improvement.

Agile Working is very close to the concept of flexibility in terms of working time and place of work. The difference lies in the word “teamwork” and the organization within the organization/company.

Remote work – opportunities, projects, and articles

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