Cross-Functional Team
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ScribdTranslationsCross-Functional Team
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsCross-functional team
Also known as a horizontal team, it is made up of specialists from different work areas who
meet to develop a task and who maintain a certain hierarchical level.
Summary
In summary, cross-functional teams are an effective way that allows people from different
areas of an organization, (or even between organizations) to exchange information, develop
new ideas, solve problems and coordinate complex projects. It's certainly no picnic managing
cross-functional teams. Its early stages are often time-consuming as its members learn to work
with diversity and complexity. It takes time to establish trust and teamwork, especially with
people with different backgrounds, different experiences and perspectives.
Diversity in work teams
Diversity often provides fresh points of view on issues, but makes team unification and
agreements difficult.
A work group becomes a team when:
Two things develop; trust and cooperation.
Cooperation: Individual people are said to cooperate when their efforts are systematically
integrated to achieve a collective goal.
Trust: It is the reciprocal faith in the intentions and behavior of other people.
Purpose of team building
Achieve indicated objectives by facing real or simulated problems.
Things a team should have
Leader
Aim
Individual functions
Motivation
Coordination
Advantages
As they are different people, each one provides a particular contribution to the team.
Greater creativity is achieved in problem solving
Tolerance and respect for others prevails
By feeling like a real part of a team, where they are taken into account, people are motivated
to work with greater performance.
Promotes a reduction in staff turnover by working in a place that is pleasant to them.
Disadvantages
There is difficulty in coordinating the work of a human group, due to the diversity in ways of
thinking, capabilities, responsibility, among others.
Differences in ways of thinking can lead to arguments that divide the group.
When working as a team, it is possible that when mistakes are made, no one wants to take
responsibility individually.
WHEN THEY FORM
They have greater performance potential but are more difficult to manage.
In general, it is advisable to create a cross-functional team when dealing with a problem:
There are no immediate time limitations,
There is not a sufficient level of knowledge of the problem and
The involvement of everyone is necessary for the implementation phase.
Uncertain, complex or with the potential to generate conflict,
Interaction is necessary to stimulate creativity,
Involves interests of different departments or the entire organization,
CONCLUSION
Heterogeneous work teams tend to work more efficiently than the sum of their members
since they generate the necessary synergies in information and knowledge for decision-making
in complex and globalized environments. On the other hand, for them to function correctly, an
organization that supports and rewards them is necessary, as well as a good structure and
internal management, with the role of the leader being especially important, who must be able
to unify differences and respect individualities.
http://focus.ie.edu/es/multifunctional-work-teams
