Without clock synchronization, I/O operations will occur in the wrong order. This type of application should never stop and wait for responses before it moves on to the next action. Instead, the communication alone should trigger either personnel or another application to take action. For https://remotemode.net/ instance, the application might send asynchronous temperature updates throughout the day but also set off a troubleshooting sequence whenever temperatures either exceed or drop below acceptable levels. Applications generate messages in the form of calls to functions, services and APIs.

Synchronous communication works well if you want to execute tasks on priority or have something urgent to discuss with your team members. Synchronous communication enables a spontaneous discussion and instant resolution of conflicts or bottlenecked tasks. There are a variety of tools and applications that provide an effective synchronous communication platform for remote teams to share information and ideas.

Create a self-service knowledge base and documentation

Synchronous communication refers to communication that happens in real-time, with all parties participating at the same time. This form of interaction calls for the recipient to be present and attentive at all times. Video calls, online chats, and face-to-face meetings are all forms of synchronous communication. ​caution​One of the most harmful behaviors that can surface in a distributed team is the constant expectation of presence.

When we asked a small group of leaders which tasks they preferred to tackle asynchronously, the most common answers were status updates (100%), followed by project updates and goal-setting. To enable both synchronous and asynchronous microservices communication, keep flow sequencing away from the individual services. Instead, design an architecture that supports both asynchronous and synchronous communication. Then, allow your orchestrator https://remotemode.net/blog/guide-to-asynchronous-communication-definition-and-examples/ to switch the communication pattern for the specific service (see the figure below). Read our guide to async communication to explore the impact of this imbalance on business outcomes and how to move toward strategic synchronous and asynchronous communication. While I think remote work is the future, I believe that asynchronous communication is an even more important factor in team productivity, whether your team is remote or not.

Cons of synchronous communication

Microsoft Teams application provides synchronous communication features such as live video calls, real-time chats, online meetings, screen sharing, and audio conferencing. You’ll often see asynchronous communication connected to remote work—and it’s true that remote workers communicate more asynchronously by default. But whether you’re in the office or over Zoom, everyone can benefit from the increased productivity asynchronous communication offers.