My previous post outlined 5 key signs that indicate when project teams are moving backward rather than forward. This post outlines some specific steps that can be taken to remedy counter-productivity among teams.
1. Establish a proactive team mentality - Proactive team members equal a proactive team. Sometimes we can fall into the “I’m sure someone else is on top of things” mindset when we’re working on a team. Multiple people being responsible for a project makes it easy to defer responsibility when issues arise. But, it’s important that each team member see themselves as being accountable for resolving issues and creating solutions.
2. Increase direct communication - Email is a great tool for efficiently communicating information to your team. However, it should not be relied upon for eliminating confusion among team members, resolving issues, communicating changes, or maintaining alignment across the team.
3. Create fundamental solutions rather than ad hoc solutions - Fundamental problems often go unresolved because they lay beneath the surface. We tend to get distracted by specific instances versus addressing the fundamental problem they stem from. A solution that solves the immediate issue is good, but a solution that solves the overall problem is better.
4. Measure progress consistently - It’s easy to get caught up in our work or specific day-to-day tasks. Nevertheless, regularly assessing productivity is critical. This step more than any other will provide your team with the best perspective on actual progress; which which areas are strong, versus those that may need increased productivity and attention.
