Tips For Building An Effective Project Team
Of all the hats that a project manager wears, building a team is an important one. If you are project manager, here are some tips that will help you to build an effective team.
- Understand Teaming Principles
1. Build relationships
2. Capitalize on synergy created through teaming
3. Collect facts and data, not scapegoats
4. Direct any emotions on the issue, not people
5. Encourage participation from everyone
6. Encourage sharing of experiences and knowledge
7. Focus on key issues and the "big picture," not blame
8. Identify commonalties
9. Keep teams not too large or small (7+2 people rule)
10. Obtain consensus on processes, tools, etc.
11. Pay attention to sources of divisiveness and conformity
12. Remain objective - Ways to Build Consensus
1. Focus on the vision
2. Obtain agreement on causes, terminology, facts, and data
3. Obtain participation of everyone affected by the cause
4. Publicize the consensus and the result
5. Seek Win-Win, not Win-Lose result - Understand the Elements of Culture
1. Beliefs, values, norms
2. Environmental settings (e.g., layout and appearance)
3. Management style
4. Policies
5. Procedures
6. Processes - Find the Sources of Conflict
1. Inability to resolve disputes
2. Inequitable distribution of resources (e.g., information, equipment, supplies)
3. Inequitable distribution of workload
4. Fear
5. Lack of consensus by key participants over the vision
6. Lack of teaming
7. Management style
8. Overwork
9. Poor communications
10. Unclear or unfair reward system
11. Unclear vision