Team Assessment in a Hybrid Work Environment: Reflection as a Key to Success
How can teams specifically improve hybrid collaboration? As part of the online event “Team Assessment and Development with teamorama,” organized by the FERNFH alumni network, Priv.-Doz.in Dr. Martina Hartner-Tiefenthaler andDr. Arabella Mühl demonstrated how team assessment and guided reflection can help teams specifically enhance their communication and collaboration.
Hybrid work is fundamentally changing communication, collaboration, and expectations within teams. Building on the keynote presentation from November 2025, the follow-up event organized by the FERNFH alumni network focused on concrete approaches to team assessment and team development. Drawing on research findings, a real-world example, and the online tool teamorama, the event demonstrated how teams can systematically analyze and improve their work processes.
Why Team Reflection Is More Important Now Than Ever
Flexible work hours and locations are changing how teams communicate with one another and how much room remains for spontaneous, informal exchanges. In addition, the increasing use of generative AI is further transforming communication and coordination processes within teams. At the start of the evening, Priv.-Doz.in Dr.in Martina Hartner-Tiefenthaler painted a clear picture of these developments and, at the same time, illustrated why structured team reflection is so effective, particularly in this context.
She presented findings from a field experiment involving more than 50 teams, which showed that targeted reflection workshops can reduce emotional exhaustion while improving team performance. Greater clarity regarding expectations and communication channels can noticeably relieve pressure on teams while also improving collaboration.
Research identified five areas as particularly relevant topics for reflection among hybrid teams: availability during and outside of working hours, social interaction, shared in-office days, communication tools, and their intended use.
teamorama: From Questionnaire to Catalyst for Development
Every team-building initiative first requires a thorough assessment to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This is exactly where teamorama comes in, as Dr.ArabellaMühl explained in the second part of the event. The scientifically grounded online tool teamorama is free for teams to use and complies with data protection regulations, as all data is stored on servers at the Vienna University of Technology. It is designed for teams of three or more members plus one manager and focuses on three key areas: accessibility, team communication, and team spirit.
The process is straightforward: After a brief online survey, managers and their teams receive automated reports with benchmark comparisons and specific recommendations for action. Using a concrete real-world example, the presenter demonstrated how the findings from the teamorama reports can be further processed in a guided reflection workshop. The example team reached binding agreements on response times, availability outside of working hours, and shared in-office days.
teamorama in Organizational and Leadership Development
Martina Hartner-Tiefenthaler then demonstrated that teamorama is effective not only at the team level but also as a tool for organizational development, using the “Teamwork Advanced” project at the Vienna University of Technology as an example. As part of a larger strategic process, more than 50 teams participated in facilitated reflection workshops. The benchmarks were established internally within the organization, allowing teams to compare their results directly with those of other teams at the Vienna University of Technology.
Particularly interesting: Even teams that hadn’t initiated their own participation benefited significantly from the reflection workshops. Many managers also found the organizational initiative to be a relief, as the focus was on continuous improvement rather than pressure to solve problems.
Reflection as the foundation of sustainable team development. Teamorama helps teams reflect on hybrid collaboration in a structured way and identify specific areas for improvement. However, it remains crucial that teams reflect on the results together and use them to establish concrete agreements for their collaboration.
For more information about teamorama and how to use the tool, visit: teamorama.project.tuwien.ac.at
Did you miss the presentation?
If you'd like to learn how you can use teamorama as a foundation for your team development processes, you'll be able to watch the presentation here soon.
Information About the Speakers
Priv.-Doz.in Dr.in Martina Hartner-Tiefenthaler is a senior scientist at the Vienna University of Technology (Institute of Management Sciences) and works at the intersection of technology, organization, and people. Her education combines solid business expertise with a deep understanding of psychology, which she enjoys bringing to companies through her research projects in order to live up to her motto: “Research should make a difference.”
Dr. Arabella Mühl, BSc, BA, MSc, is a faculty member at the Institute for Work, Business, and Social Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Vienna, as well as at the Institute for Management Sciences at the Vienna University of Technology. Her research focuses on psychological stress in the workplace, location and time flexibility, modern work (and work-time) models, and collaboration in hybrid teams. At FERNFH, she supervises theses in the master’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology.
Organization
The FERNFH Alumni Network offers former and current students, as well as faculty and staff at FERNFH, a platform for lifelong learning, professional development, and mutual support. Through exciting events, networking meetings, and the latest professional insights, the network creates targeted added value for everyone. You can find more information on theAlumni Network’s website.
