Self-Managed Team Communication

Self managed work teams work independent of the corporate hierarchy.

Companies commission and launch self-managed work teams to manage new projects or improve an existing product or service. A team leader heads up a self-managed team, and is responsible for team communications, operations and overall success.

Identification

A self-management work team is a cross-functional team of corporate employees who operate independent of the installed corporate organizational structure. The phrase "cross-functional" means the team consists of employees from every department, such as accounting, engineering, production and distribution.

Function

Although all team members can promote their ideas, help solve problems and help formulate action plans, the team leader is responsible for formal communications for the team. The team leader plans and facilitates team meetings, coordinates work among team members and communicates team status to higher-level management.

Significance

In today's fast-paced global economy, a traditional hierarchical organization is simply too slow in making decisions. Accordingly, corporations set up self-managed work teams to work on new projects that require quick action and a speedy resolution.

References

• R.V. Armstrong and Associates: Requirements of a Self-Managed Team Leader
• AllBusiness.com: Finding Competitive Advantage in Self-Managed Work Teams