5 Keys to Team Organization
- Team Member Sources. Can you hire contractors and/or consultants, and if so, will this help you get the project done on time and on budget?
- Organizational Boundaries. The need to reach out to other organizational units to complete the project. i.e. Do you need to cross organizational boundaries to get this project done? If so, what are the organizational implications? How will resource conflicts be resolved?
- Resource Availability. The need to allocate resources based on full-time availability, part-time availability, and multi-role overlay (one person having multiple responsibilities). i.e. Do you need a full-time, dedicated project team? Can resources handle multiple assignments without damaging burn-out?
- Required Expertise. The use of specialized resources, available for interim, ad-hoc project work without official assignment to the project team. i.e. Do you have access to specialized skills? Can the project be managed with a core team and ad-hoc assignments as needed?
- Organizational Options. How can available and required resources be most effectively organized to maximize unity of purpose, while leveraging specialized skills and personal creativity?
Time for a Team: “Goal Oriented Organization” (G.O.O.)
When it doubt, let your “goals” lead the way. Goal-oriented organization (G.O.O.) uses defined project goals and objectives as a guideline for team structure and composition (ensuring that team structures are properly “defined, aligned and approved” considering key project definitions). This approach is used in order to increase the likelihood of project success, maximize productivity and minimize project “resource-related” risk.
- To produce the required deliverables according to plan.
- To use structured communication mechanisms (meetings, status reports and related practices) to promote information flow, informed consent, decision escalation, and problem resolution.
- To cooperate and collaborate, treating all team members with courtesy and respect.
- To follow assigned work responsibilities, minimizing redundancies, and leveraging complementary skills.
- To promote a positive work environments designed to encourage an open exchange of ideas, dissent and feedback.
