Create a Collaborative Project Team Environment – Project Management Principle 2

Project Management Principle 2 states,

Project teams are made up of individuals who wield diverse skills, knowledge, and experience. Project teams that work collaboratively can accomplish a shared objective more effectively and efficiently than individuals working on their own.

Project teams are made up of individuals with diverse skills, knowledge and experience. They work in collaboration to accomplish a shared objective. Project teams do this more effectively and efficiently than individuals.

Within the organizational and professional cultures and guidelines, project teams often establish their own “local” culture. As a Project Manager, it is your responsibility that this local culture helps foster the professional relationship within the team.

Factors of creating a Collaborative Project Team Environment –

1. Team Agreements – Set of behavioral parameters and working norms. These evolve over time as team works together and gets to know each other
2. Organizational Structures – Project teams use, tailor and implement structures that help coordinate the individual efforts associated with project work
3. Processes – Processes are defined to enable completion of tasks and work assignments

Clarity on roles and responsibilities can significantly help to improve team cultures. Some points to consider are,

1. Authority – Should be conferred from one entity to another explicitly or implicitly. Authority can include taking decisions on applying project resources or give approvals
2. Accountability – Being answerable for an outcome. Accountability cannot be shared
3. Responsibility – Being obligated to do or fulfill something. Responsibility can be shared

Check more articles on The Standard for Project Management