Team coordination
- 2. Team coordination consists of both the dynamics of team member interaction and the environmental dynamics to which a team is subjected. Focusing on dynamics, an approach is developed that contrasts with traditional aggregate-static concepts of team coordination as characterized by the shared mental model approach. A team coordination order parameter was developed to capture momentary fluctuations in coordination. Team coordination was observed in three-person uninhabited air vehicle teams across two experimental sessions. The dynamics of the order parameter were observed under changes of a team familiarity control parameter. Team members returned for the second session to either the same (Intact) or different (Mixed) team. 'Roadblock' perturbations, or novel changes in the task environment, were introduced in order to probe the stability of team coordination.
- 3. Nonlinear dynamic methods revealed differences that a traditional approach did not: Intact and Mixed team coordination dynamics looked very different; Mixed teams were more stable than Intact teams and explored the space of solutions without the need for correction. Stability was positively correlated with the number of roadblock perturbations that were overcome successfully. The novel and non-intuitive contribution of a dynamical analysis was that Mixed teams, who did not have a long history working together, were more adaptive. Team coordination dynamics carries new implications for traditional problems such as training adaptive teams.
- 5. Know the Big Picture. Good planning is all in the details, but before you can get there, you’ll need a strong vision of your team’s overall goal. Without a clear, concise, and concrete goal, your team will be floundering from the first minute. As circumstances change and unforeseen obstacles arise, a team leader must keep the big picture in mind at all times and make changes accordingly. Create Well-Defined Roles. Teams work best when everyone has a role that plays to their strength. The last thing you want is team members competing with each other over resources or tasks. That’s why it’s critical to know the strengths and weaknesses of your team members, and assign them where they’ll be able to work best. Some people like to joke about org charts, but they can be a lifesaver when it comes to team coordination.
- 6. Foster Great Communication. Good communication is at the heart of any successful project, business or otherwise. This doesn’t just mean meetings — too many meetings can drag down productivity and erode morale. Good communication should run through everything you do, whether it’s via email, text, communication software, or in-person interactions. Transparency, clarity, empathy and respect are all critical. A good team leader must have great communication skills to keep their team motivated and coordinated… and the right tools don’t hurt, either. Master Your Planning. The most crack team in the world won’t get good results unless you start with a plan. There’s a strong temptation among many small business owners to “figure things out as they go” or place heavy emphasis on improvisation — and this is in part why so many businesses fail so quickly. To be successful, you need to know your objectives, know the time and resources necessary to reach them, and deal out tasks accordingly. Of course, a plan must be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances — but it remains the backbone of your business’ success.
- 7. Don’t Overdo It. Believe it or not, there can be such a thing as too much coordination. Even the most well-designed team may have disagreements about how to manage their resources and time… in fact, it’s pretty likely. Don’t fall into the trap of assuming everyone has to work like a well-oiled machine all the time. Too much coordination can cost you productivity in terms of pointless meetings, long presentations, disagreements between colleagues, and poor results. Know when to loosen the reins and let people work. Team coordination isn’t always easy. It can be a challenge to keep teammates working together smoothly, and there are bound to be obstacles and mistakes along the way. One of the most important skills you can cultivate is learning from these challenges and refining your approach, so your next team — and your next project — will be better than ever.