Cross functional teamA tool for improved performance

-By Nithin Prasad R S

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Presentation flow

Introducing Cross Functional Team [CFT] Defining CFT CFT formation Introspection of CFT – When? Purpose of existence – Why? Working of CFT – How?

Advantages of CFT Inference & Conclusion

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Aim- Effectiveness of the Cross Functional Team (CFT), as

a tool for improved performance.

Objectives- Literature study on cross functional team. Understanding the necessity and working of CFT. Analyzing the effectiveness of CFT.

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Cross Functional Team - CFT

Cross-functional team is

Group of people. [outside and within organization] Different functional departments. [from R&D

to till after sales services depts.] Common goal. [A clear charter and purpose]

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Definition

Cross functional team can be defined as a group of people with different functional expertise communicating, coordinating and operating across the organization towards an expected objective.

The objective being the Achievable & noticeable end result.

Eg: Task forces, Committees..

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Top Level

Tacticle Level

Operational Level

Vendors

& Suppliers

End users

or the

customers

Cross Functional Team

Achievable purpose or objective.

Employees from different levels & functional departments of the

organization

Schematic representation of CFT formation

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Introspection of CFT

When can a CFT be used?

Clear & Common purpose.

Job requirements.

Sufficient resources are available.

Authority to manage and change.

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The Purpose/objective

Why CFT ?It can be formed with a purpose of Enhancement and expansion into new products/

services or new area. [widening the market] Specific to problem or any issue. [task oriented] Re-engineer / re-structuring the work process

within the organization. The need for faster and precise decision on any

issues.

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Working of CFT

How does CFT work ?

Scaling the work force and work into modules/tasks

force. [Forming]

Monitoring the modules. [Storming]

Interdependency in team. [Norming]

Integrating the evolved work modules.

Finalizing. [Performing]

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CFT of Western Lands Highway Development organization

Highway Design

Managers

Environmental Manager

Environmental Protection Specialist

Highway Designer

Environmental Protection Specialist

Highway Designer

ProjectManager

ProjectManager

Project Development

Engineer

TSBFunctional Managers

TeamMember

TeamMember

Technical Services Engineer

Director ofProject

Delivery

Quality Control Manager

Quality Specialist

Construction Operations Engineer

Construction Operations Engineer

Construction Engineer

Functional T

eam

Cross-Functional Team

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Advantages of a CFT

Affects pattern of thinking. [positive team thinking] Better and faster solution to problems. Eliminates comparison and complacence. [everyone

works on task] More enthusiasm in work. [work will be as natural as

daily activity] Increased scope of learning. [knowledge is gained by

each interaction on task]

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Advantages of CFT Contd..

Cross-functional skills help employees explore other avenues in performing task. [beat monotony at work]

Provides better insight to the problem & in managing teams. [manager is benefited]

Better control over the flow of execution of a project as the tasks are well distinguished.

Dealing with different kinds of people and with different situations that are not common in normal terms. [maturity

is seen, culture is developed and valued by all members]

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Inference and conclusion

Team work ensures not only that a job gets done but also that it gets done efficiently. Therefore, Successful team work can often make the difference between the profitable & the unprofitable operation of an organization.

An effective work team tends to be informal & relaxed, with no obvious tensions. People are involved, interested & anxious to participate in solving work-related problems.

An effective work group also clearly understands the goals & objectives.

Thus, indeed the Cross Functional Team is an effective tool for improved performance.

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Bibliography Tata McGraw Hill, Organization Behavior, Steve L McShane, Radha R Sharma,

Chapter 9, Foundation to team dynamics. Taxmann’s, Principles of Management, Dr. Neeru Vasisth, Chapter 31,

Organizational Development. http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/cross-

functional_teams.html, retrieved on 5th April 2010 http://www.organizedchange.com/crossfun.htm, retrieved on 5th April 2010 http://www.sabrehq.com/team_building_articles/cross-functional-teams.htm, retrieved

on 7th April 2010 http://www.svpma.org/eventarchives/Leading%20Cross-Functional%20Teams

%20[Read-Only].pdf, retrieved on 9th April 2010 http://www.scribd.com/doc/25542390/Teams, retrieved on 9th April 2010 http://www.kennethnorton.com/essays/leading_cross_functional_teams.pdf, retrieved

on 9th April 2010

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Thank you

“Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is progress, Working together is success.”

Henry Ford