I cannot overemphasize the value of daily Standups. These are very brief, say 15 minutes, checkins in any project. Whether people are a couple floors or several time zones apart, a virtual checkin is magic when it comes to sustaining project tempo.
I like keeping the time to 15 minutes no matter how much or little business there is to transact. If we get business done sooner, we spend the rest of the time socializing, which has immeasurable value on all levels.
The business of checkins is simple: what's targeted next, who needs help with anything, who has any help to offer. No work gets done in the conversation, just the updating of plans and exchange of help. That's it. It's that simple and effective.