How to Form a Cross-Functional Team

Different kinds of b teams are used in high performance organizations. The hardest team to implement is the cross-functional team since people come from different parts of the organization. However these teams can be the best way to realize improvements in joint processes or overall customer satisfaction. Much of the team-building and training for these teams will be similar to that for other types of teams. However this type of team my require more in-depth meeting and relationship training in order to work more effectively. If team members are in different locations, then there may also be a need for training in collaboration and communication technology.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Cross-functional teams may be permanent or temporary depending on design and required activity, which is typically to focus on implementing an organizational change effort or improving a common process or system. This is why these teams are sometimes called process teams or focus groups. Members of these teams are from various departments or job functions, where each department or job holds a part of an overall process.

2. Team that are cross-functional should have established performance measures and be required to have open communication and information sharing both within the team and to their functional groups outside the team. With this in place, significant process improvements and increased customer satisfaction may result from joint work efforts.

3. Keep in mind that it may take a while to get productive since there may be problems with communication and trust as departments and employees may have blamed each other for problems in the past or do not understand the work of others on team. However, remember to communicate that potential for cross-training exists to increase staff flexibility and enhance knowledge of all process related work.

4. Cross-functional teams should look inward to the team members for problem solving and decision-making and search outward to fellow employees who are not team members for potential issues or new ideas for the team to consider. Acceptance of improvements suggested by team may be better from others outside the team if they were given input to the process through their representative on the team.

Resources

• How to Organize an Effective Meeting
• How to Organize Work and Projects
• How to Become an Active Listener
• Team Building Activities

[3-Point]

on 3/8/2009 Excellent article on teams. Information age jobs will require that workers collaborate as they work on special projects and solve problems by coming together in teams. 5*