Team Building and Structure
Team building is actively putting energy into engaged communication. Team Structure is putting everyone in the right position to succeed for themselves and the share goals of the project.
Great team behaviors, drive excellent results. The team performs for each other because there is depth in the relationship.
The individual matters, but the individual cannot get the project done without help. Every team member should understand what is expected of them and what tools are available to get their job done. They too should understand what is expected of their teammates and what tools are available to them. The goals are to be defined and shared and managed.
FACILITATOR
Organizing a group that makes an action or process easier is facilitation. A good facilitator helps to establish team behaviors and priorities which are key to align the whole group towards project goals. The group should clearly define the goals, what exactly is our desired output? What are we doing here together?
Collaboration is key for participant buy-in. All voices should be heard and everyone gets the same tools. A good facilitator gets everyone talking and contributing their expertise to the solution.
Collaboration may be stipulated through multi-party contracts and other intergrated project delivery methods. A facilitator can help the parties understand their contractural obligations and what behaviors those obligations look like. This is how we collaborate.
WORK FLOW PLANNING
Work Flow Planning is a group communication that focuses on the hand-offs between parties. Professionals know their trade well, but they can’t do it all and they can’t do it all at once. A plumber needs walls to run pipes and an engineer’s calculations require an architect’s plans. We need information from others to inform or install our work.
Good Work Flow Planning focuses on those hand-offs. What exactly do you need from your partner? Why do you need it? Does your partner understand your ask?
The plan should start with a milestone schedule and get more detailed from there. Organize the group around the greater goal and then define how we get there. The whole room should be engaged for stakeholder input and whenever possible, the persons actually doing the work should be the person planning and committing to the work plan.
The team should encourage partial communication. Regular check-ins are key to getting the required output. Don’t bake a whole cake without asking the flavor. Communicate incomplete information often.
TEAM BUILDING
Team Building energizes and aligns the individual with a greater purpose. We find best team success when we use positive psychology and direct communication. Making the Team a little special should be a conscious effort of action. Use ice-breakers and monthly lunches to drive depth into relationships.
Come up with project goals and prioritize them together. Make the objectives clear and achievable. Involve the individual in the greater goals and define success through mentoring and personal development. Make expectations known and what tools we have to meet our goals. Same for teammates.
The Team should also challenge each other. Potentially changing responsibilities as the project and team progress through phases. Course corrections should and will occur during a project.