Customer satisfaction and retention largely depends on the quality of product delivered, which in turn depends on the team working on it. So, how important is it to pay attention to the team? What makes a team productive? Following some practices I find effective in bringing out the best in a product design team.
1. Identify the purpose of the team
The team formation must have a purpose. Identify why the team is being built.
2. Set objectives
What is the difference between a community and a team? A community involves a group of people living in a particular local area. A community may have winners/losers. Team, on the other hand, involves a group of people, striving for a common goal. There are no winners/losers within a team.
Set objectives for the task. Identify the various milestones to be achieved and set target dates. Devise a plan on how to go about it.
3. There is no "I" in Teamwork
Functioning as a team is a skill. Delivering a high quality product is no responsibility of an individual. It's the entire team who is responsible for it. Teach the team the importance of working together and how it has an impact on the product being delivered.
4. Imbibe reviews
Review is an important part of team work. Peer Review refers to participation of team members in the development and assessment of task/activity performed by an individual. Let the team members review each other's work. This will not only enhance information sharing, it will also help in catching the defects early!
5. Competing Vs. Team Spirit
It's important to see that the team members do not ultimately land up competing against each other. Competition within a team may disrupt the team spirit of achieving the team goal. Each member may try to win over the other members to show his achievements. Team work implies acknowledging accomplishments of a team, rather than of an individual alone.
6. Organize discussions
Organize discussions with your team members to deliberate on the problem, its possible alternatives, and the best possible solution. Let them speak their mind, and exchange ideas.
7. Weekly Status Review
Hold status review on weekly basis. Review the targets to be achieved and the obstacles being faced. Discuss with the team on how to meet the targets thereby maintaining the product quality. Track the project progress periodically.
8. Break up cliques
It is commonly observed that as and when the team members get to know each other, they may start forming cliques. Cliques are a group of people (usually friends), who hang out together, and resent other people entering into their "close-knit" group.
Formation of cliques may prove harmful for the team, which needs to work together to achieve the desired goal. The members not a part of the clique may feel left out. It should be seen that cliques will not be allowed to form, and will be broken if they do form. This could be done by dividing work evenly between the team so that each team member gets a chance to work with the rest.
9. Make the workplace enjoyable
Ensure that the team members feel comfortable at the workplace. Equip them with the necessary infrastructure required to help building the product.
10. Hold appraisal meets
Plan for quarterly or bi-annual appraisal meets. Let these be one-to-one meetings between the team/project leader and the team member.
During the appraisal meet, discuss with the team member, of what he has done well in the past few months, and what are the areas he/she could perform better.
11. Praise for good work
Do not hesitate to praise a team member for his/her accomplishments. Make this as a regular feature. This need not wait for the appraisal meets.
12. Avoid criticism in public
All members in a team will not have the same capabilities. To bring the average performers up to the levels of other members, remember not to compare. Healthy criticism is desirable. Again remember that it must not be done in public. Criticizing in public can be de-motivating, and may have adverse consequence on the member's performance.
13. Humility, Courage and Accountability
Imbibing humility and courage are essential constituents of building a strong team. One must be ready to accept one's mistakes, and have the courage to learn and improve upon them. We, as human resources, need to improve continuously.
Fixing accountability for work is important. Make each team member answerable for the tasks assigned to him/her. Identify what was achieved, and what could not be achieved. Draw the lessons learnt and discuss out with the team.
14. Elicit feedback
Take periodic feedback from your team, with respect to the problems they are facing, and what can be done to overcome them.
15. Set up team outings
Plan for team outings (say movie, playing games etc.) on quarterly basis. This would give a chance to the team members to interact and open up with each other, thus enhancing the bond within the team.
I have found that adopting such practices as these, will not only help in strengthening the team, but also in bringing out its best.
Deepti Sharma is team leader of the programming tools business unit at Acme Tools Pvt. Ltd. and can be contacted at s deepti.acmet@gmail.com
