To intercede where organizational barriers threaten the work. To understand and respond to cultural differences. To use vertical differentiation to the advantage of the group. And, to encourage diversity, enriching the group's perspective. The network manager facilitates the communications of the group.
Electronic media are what makes distributed group work increasingly feasible.
They allow communication in real time across great distances and time zones. The network manager must have skills in moderating the communication of online applications with multiple users. The moderation role begins with an understanding of a range of technologies and the ability to determine their appropriate use. The network manager sets up not only the communications pathways between the members of the group, but also the communication of the group back to the formal hierarchy and larger organization. One function of the network manager is to communicate the vision for the project to the group, particularly at the start.