A project team is formed by many team members. As a project manager, creating a good environment in the team could be one of the most important things which will affect the final results. In my opinion, a good environment means team members could come up with their own ideals, questions and concerns. Everyone in the team should work together and toward a common goal. In order to improve the efficiency of the whole team, what should the project manager do to create an environment of collaboration on the team?
Project collaboration takes place when a group of people with varying project management skills and experiences come together to foster a harmonious collaborative spirit, everyone on the team should be included in the decision-making process and have access to all of the same information in order to form a clear picture of what is expected of them. Robust communication is key and transparency is a must. The project manager has to get and keep the team involved in the process. She should provide encouragement and foster a culture of innovation among the team. She should remove any barriers that may pop up and keep meetings meaningful.
https://kissflow.com/project/project-team-collaboration-tips/
In order to set a tone of collaboration as the leader of a project management team or any other team, it starts by example. As project manger you have to create spaces where expectations are clearly set for responsibilities and how teamwork will foster better outcomes. This is done by showing, as the PM, you have a positive attitude in every approach. This will aid in allowing the team to feel this is a safe space to present ideas freely and receive additional information or tweaks from other members of the team. This starts with the project manager offering ideas in meetings and allowing the team to weigh in on various parts of the project, even if the PM has specific plan in mind. Showing a willingness to listen to the ideas of others and also be willing to explain why as PM you have made certain decisions or how you have come to certain conclusions. This also creates transparency and an environment where team members are invested in the outcomes of decisions and actions born from group discussions. Buy-In from the team may be the most important element to collaborative environments.
What aspects of leadership inspire you/have inspired you to be part of a team and give your all towards a common goal?
There are numerous things that a project manager can do to foster a collaborative environment among team members, such as establishing clear goals, seeking solutions rather than dwelling on problems, praising and rewarding the achievement of goals, and encouraging team members to share their ideas (Kashyap, 2018).
I have had the opportunity to serve as a team leader and a team member, and in both cases, I have noted that those who foster supportive and encouraging teams are the most successful in the long term. When team members know that their team’s leader or fellow team teammates are invested in ensuring that everyone does well, this generally encourages them to go above and beyond to meet the collective team goal.
How would you encourage team members to go above and beyond to pursue a collective goal?
References
Kashyap, S. (2018, May 4). 7 things successful leaders do to motivate their teams towards a common goal. The Startup. https://medium.com/swlh/7-things-successful-leaders-do-to-motivate-their-teams-towards-a-common-goal-cfb8ef73bc37#:~:text=A%20common%20goal%20can%20be,will%20bounce%20off%20the%20walls.
A project team is formed by many team members. As a project manager, creating a good environment in the team could be one of the most important things which will affect the final results. In my opinion, a good environment means team members could come up with their own ideals, questions and concerns. Everyone in the team should work together and toward a common goal. In order to improve the efficiency of the whole team, what should the project manager do to create an environment of collaboration on the team?
Managing a project is difficult in itself. You have deadlines to meet and budgets to keep to deliver a quality product or service. In addition, there are forces outside your control that can sidetrack your work. These things make up the project environment. You have to be aware of the project environment and prepare for the influence it can have on your project throughout the project management life cycle.
The benefits of paying attention to a project’s environment are plentiful: productivity goes up, morale is boosted, and creativity rises, as well. Furthermore, the project manager is the most important person on the team for creating a healthy work environment. They set the tone for the project’s energy and the way people work together. They get to know team members and determine what works best for that particular group. Key factors such as collaboration, open communication, respect, and trust are the foundations of the overall health of your project’s environment.
To support collaboration in the environment the project manager could:
- Building a culture that celebrates the team rather than the individual
- Trust and respect team members
- Schedule team-building activities
- Take the time to appreciate team members, let them know you notice how hard they are working
Describe a time when you worked in an unhealthy environment what was the outcome?
I think it would be most beneficial if the PM had an in-depth knowledge of what the project entails and laid out the expectations initially. It also embraces each team member's skills and helps to mentor persons to be the best version of themselves.
