Collaboration: What Makes A Team Function Successful?

Collaboration is a working practice whereby individual work together to form a team so as to achieve a defined common purpose. It relies on openness, knowledge sharing, level of focus and accountability of the members involved. It may be Asynchronous or synchronous. Asynchronous involves collaborating not necessarily communicating and working together at the same time. Synchronous involves collaborating parties working together simultaneously and in communication as they work.

The following involves what makes a team function successful.

Communication. Efficient Communication mechanisms are crucial when developing effective team functions. It helps to resolve conflicts and enhances the speed to achieve the defined goals. Communications should be open, honest and respectful.

Members must see the value of working together. They should not be forced in doing their duties. Awareness should be conducted to the members. There should be a meaningful reason for working together and it should benefit its members. The team should understand the goal and should be committed to attaining them.

Role identity. There must be a team structure which clearly defines the roles of each member in the team. This will enhance no repetition of work and ensure easy to fast work flow.

Team size. The number of members of a team matter a lot. When the numbers of members are high, the more resources available to achieve a goal but the leader may have less control of this team hence creating the easier its management and control.

Equality within members such that there is equal participation such that no member feels is let out or over worked. This helps in opening up communication and encouraging ideas from all members.

The team should have the ability to constantly examine itself and continuously improve its processes practice and the interaction of members. They should have agreed upon procedures for diagnosing analyzing and resolving team work problems and