Teambuilding

2. The Initial Briefing

Teams need clearly-defined objectives and structures to get results.

2.1 Focus on one clear goal for the team.

• Break down the team goal to define a role and an objective for each team member. For example, if the goal is to manage a move to new premises, one team member may be made responsible for services, one for handling the IT aspects and one for purchasing furniture and equipment.
• Ask for people's ideas on how the goals could be refined.
• Make team members' roles clear to themselves and others.
• Avoid conflict by making sure job descriptions do not overlap or clash.
• Specify how functions within the team will interrelate. Make it clear who answers to whom.

2.2 Outline how the team will operate.

• Discuss and agree what methods will be used for decision-making, problem-solving and running meetings.
• Explain that individual performance will be reviewed in regular team meetings and through random quality checks.

2.3 Agree how you will resolve day-to-day problems and disagreements in the team.

• If one team member is unhappy with another, he or she should discuss the matter with the person concerned.
• If that does not work, the problem should be brought to the team leader.