Supercharging team workflow is an ongoing process that involves continual adaptation and refinements. Typically, the process starts with establishing an engaging work culture and uses new tech to help streamline processes.
However, there’s much more to the affair. At its core are, after all, people, and people are different. That’s why there isn’t a single formula but, rather, a set of vague steps that should be shaped in line with each individual company culture.
Let’s take a look at the main elements to be considered.
Efficient Goal Setting
Setting clear goals and expectations is the first and foremost step, with no exceptions. As vague as this may seem, there are actually a couple of routines that can help businesses get the ropes right.
Firstly, consider defining SMART goals. They should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Next on, make sure to communicate goals clearly. Use multiple channels as to suit your work models (e.g., team meetings, emails, tutorials) to make sure everyone is on the same page.
To top it off, explain the rationale behind the goals so that everyone understands how they contribute to joint success.
To boost the success rate, management teams should also set clear roles and responsibilities. In other words, each employee should understand how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Scheduling one-on-one discussions with team members is a good strategy, and make sure to encourage employees to ask questions.
Lastly, regularly review and update goals so that they reflect market conditions, changing circumstances, and team performance.
As for the latter, it’s crucial to keep track of progress and provide regular feedback. Recognizing (and celebrating!) achievements and milestones is also a good idea.
Build a Strong Team
It goes without saying that businesses should always strive to build a strong, motivated team. Such a team is perfectly capable of engaging overall performance rates and boosting productivity across the board.
However, how does one ensure a team is efficient?
There are a couple of elements that can increase the success rate, including:
- Recruiting and hiring the right individuals (skills, experience, a track record of success, cultural fit, etc.)
- Fostering a positive team culture (behaviors, values, work ethics, innovation, etc.)
- Encouraging diversity and inclusivity (avoid biases, discrimination, and similar)
- Organizing team-building activities
- Deploying effective conflict resolution skills
- Investing in employees’ professional development
- Recognizing and rewarding individual and team accomplishments
- Creating a feedback loop
- Evaluating and adjusting team processes and dynamics based on feedback
Use Project Management Tools
Deployment of new tech has become a standard, so we’ll skip the obvious. However, a thing or two can be said about using project management tools, since organizational practices in this regard can make or break a business.
First of all, sometimes it is necessary to invest in state-of-the-art tools instead of relying on free solutions, especially when large teams are involved. Streamlining and simplification should be the two guiding points, as there are too many tools out there that are unnecessarily complicated and only manage to contribute to users wasting their time and nerves.
Simply put, look for straightforward performance management software, which is certain to help you define the type of tools you need to deploy. Choose a tool that aligns with the team’s specific needs and target projects.
The finest of tools should help you create timelines, simplify task assignments, and allow you to monitor progress in real-time at the very least.
Implement Lean Methodologies
Lean methodologies are a popular project management approach rooted in flexibility and adaptability, particularly useful in dynamic environments.
They portend finding efficient ways to optimize all elements of business processes and employee performance. The three critical categories are tasks that add value, activities that don’t add value but support value-added tasks, and waste.
“Waste” is any process or action that hinders production or increases organizational costs. It’s been established that the seven major “wastes” are:
- Overproduction (excess products or services)
- Waiting (employees wasting their time)
- Conveyance (transportation-related flaws)
- Processing (waste related to inefficient production methodologies and tech)
- Inventory (waste linked to products not being used in a timely manner)
- Motion (waste linked to people or equipment being moved unnecessarily)
- Correction (products that do not meet the quality standards)
Dealing with waste is also clearly established in this methodology and comprises five solid principles:
- Value — customers’ willingness to pay for products
- Mapping the value stream — analyzing resources used in the production of products/services
- Flow — Streamlining processes, minimizing production delays and waste
- Pull system — assigning work only when there is demand (as opposed to MRP systems)
- Perfection — process improvement rooted in assessments leading to reduction of waste
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Finally, the finest of teams keep communication alive and transparent. This just may be the most significant element of organizational success as individuals working in unison always perform better.
In addition, employees who are proud of company successes knowing they’ve contributed to them stay engaged and motivated. Customize your strategies in this regard to build on the sentiment and watch your business grow over time!
