Time Zone Strategies for US–Singapore Teams
The US–Singapore time difference poses coordination challenges but also creates near-24/7 productivity potential with the right approach.
Strategies
- Overlap windows
Identify 1–3 hour daily overlap for synchronous activities like calls and planning. For US EST and Singapore (SGT), overlap often occurs in US early morning / SGT evening.
- Async-first culture
Use clear async updates in Slack or shared documents. Reduce meeting frequency; prefer recorded walkthroughs.
- Handoff playbooks
Document step-by-step handoffs for repeating tasks so work can pass between timezones without blocking.
- Scheduled check-ins
Weekly planning and short daily updates keep alignment without constant meetings.
- Respect local holidays
Maintain a shared calendar noting public holidays in both countries.
- Use timezone-aware tools
Add timezone fields to tasks and use scheduling tools that show recipient local times.
Outcome
With disciplined async workflows and a short daily overlap, US–Singapore teams can achieve high throughput and fast issue resolution.