Software Project Management
Class Activity
Eight Ways to Build Collaborative Teams
Building collaborative teams is a challenging task in any environment. That is why it is important to have
a framework that provides the possibility of ‘absolute independence’ if a member institution wants. It can
be a helpful tool for braking initial resistance and long-lasting success.
In the long run, development of collaborative teams is an essential task. Lynda Gratton and Tamara J.
Erickson wrote “Eight Ways to Build Collaborative Teams” in the Harvard Business Review (Gratton,
Erickson, 2007). It is worth mentioning that the most productive, innovative teams were led by people who
were both task- and relationship-oriented. What’s more, these leaders changed their style during the project.
The fallowing proposed terms are mention below:
1. Investing in Signature Relationship Practices
Leaders can encourage collaborative behavior if they make visible investment in facilities that
support collaboration.
An attractive and interactive website may be a good starting point.
2. Modeling Collaborative Behavior
At schools/organization, where the leaders demonstrate highly collaborative behavior themselves,
teams collaborated well too.
3. Creating a Gift Culture
mentoring, coaching, especially on an informal basis, and networking are a good start. For
example, if a mentor and mentee are from different institutions, their mentor-mentee relationship
may be a good platform for much wider collaboration between their institutions.
4. Ensuring the Requisite Skills
Courses and an online learning community focused on collaborative skills can build those
requisites.
5. Supporting a Strong Sense of Community
when people feel a sense of community and common goal, they are more comfortable
collaborating together.
6. Assigning Team Leaders that are both Task and Relationship Oriented
For outstanding results we need both a good team and focused tasks.
7. Building on Heritage Relationships
Start team development with a few people (20-40%) who know one another. If all team members
are strangers, it is very probable that they will not be comfortable collaborating.
8. Understanding Role Clarity and Task Ambiguity
Cooperation and performance will benefit if the roles and desired outcome are clearly defined,
while the team has latitude on how to achieve the task
