Team based organizational structures involve the conglomeration of staff from various departments in an organization in order to achieve a common purpose. For a group to be formed there must be an initially well-defined objective that governs the process. Such a group should work towards a common goal. This common objective attaches the members of the group together. In the verge of achieving this common goal, group cohesion is a prerequisite. The management of a business organization should adopt expertise knowledge in selecting such groups in order to ensure their effectiveness and success in delivering their mandate.
Proper selection criteria should be applied in order to derive the maximum benefits from the group. The composition of this particular group should be diversified in order to pool together members from various fields of specialties. This enhances effectiveness of the group in handling issues relating to various aspects of the group objectives. Members are able to share their experiences with one another hence mutual benefit. During the initial group meeting, various procedures should be followed in order to lay the foundation for the group. These are discussed below:
Goal setting for the Group
At this step, the group comes up with the common purpose that is to be the gearing factor for its members. Broad objectives act as the mission statement that provides the limelight on the direction of its members. Each member of the group is to be committed to the group in order to achieve the common objective. Other subsidiary objectives that are incidental to the achievement of the overall objectives are also identified.
Setting an agenda for the group's first meeting
Immediately after the constitution of the group, the members should set an agenda for the group's first meeting. This is aimed at ensuring that confusion does not arise as the members consolidate themselves in order to begin deliberations. Such an agenda will include the execution of the first business of the group. Meeting schedules are also formulated during this key stage. It is important that clear guidelines be formulated in as far as the group's agenda generation and discussion is concerned.
Establishment of the group norms
This entails the description of the acceptable code of conduct of the group members. Rules are formulated regarding the relationship expected amongst the group members. Each member is supposed to be committed to the common objective. It is at this stage that the group defines the scope of commitment of its members to the group. This helps in providing direction to the group members.
Assignment of roles to group members
During this stage, tasks are allocated to each of the group members according to their capability. The group selects its leaders who are charged with the responsibility of providing the direction to the group. Those assigned roles at this stage should be committed to deliver on their assignments in order to achieve the objectives of the group.
Defining decision-making guidelines
This entails the group members clearly stipulation the methods that they would adopt in coming up with its decisions. A resolution must be made on the voting process for any decisions to be made in the group. Such criteria will participate a great deal in preventing the dominance of particular group members who may exert undue influence on the decisions of the organizations.
Description of the group life and its dissolution
At this phase, the members of the group define the expected duration for the group. Procedures for winding up the group are also defined by the group members. This therefore aids in the focus of the group.
Execution of the group activities
Following the formulation of the group principles and guidelines, the group members will then get down to business. This is as defined by the objectives and roles of the members.
Review of the group process
Members then evaluate the success of the group process. Modifications are then made on the mode of conducting the group's activities.
