Build an informative microsite for cross-functional teams

Focus on eliminating communication barriers and bringing siloed groups closer together. Your cross-functional teams should all be invited to provide input into shared goals. Strengthen alignment around goals by: Communicating regularly: Set ongoing check-in meetings or find ways to facilitate ongoing communication.

Trust Each Other Be honest. Work to eliminate conflicts of interests. Avoid talking behind each otherʼs back. Trust teammates (you must trust them before they will trust you). Give team members the benefit of the doubt.

Align goals When creating a cross-functional team, ensure that each team member aligns their individual goals with both team and company goals. This is important because team members will need full visibility to successfully complete projects that meet company needs.

Your metrics should be relevant to your collaboration objectives and reflect both the process and outcome of cross-functional collaboration. For example, you might measure communication frequency and quality, team cohesion and trust, stakeholder satisfaction and feedback, as well as performance and impact.

These metrics can include the number of messages exchanged, frequency of meetings or interactions, response times, and participation levels in team discussions or virtual platforms. Knowledge-sharing can be an important metric as collaboration often involves sharing expertise.

Cross-functional collaboration can be measured using various key performance indicators (KPIs) such as weekly team meetings, average first response time, growth metrics, and the quality of communication between teams.

Making cross-functional collaboration work Create a collaboration plan. Foster a customer-centric mindset. Add leadership and cultural alignment. Standardize processes. Encourage clear communication and structured initiatives. Use the right technology. Invest in training and continuous feedback. Reflect, repeat, and refine.

6 steps for effective cross-team collaboration Step 1: Try to divvy up team responsibilities as best as possible. Step 2: Leverage your tools to better collaborate between teams. Step 3: Make it clear who will be the project lead. Step 4: Create handbooks and supporting documentation.

Effectively managing cross functional teams involves adopting consistent practices that drive collaboration, enhance communication, and ensure ongoing improvement. These practices help teams stay focused, productive, and aligned with organizational goals.

Typically, there are three main roles you would find in a cross-functional team: The project manager, subject-matter experts, and team members.