Cross-Functional Teams - the Grand Illusion of Collaboration

Cross-functional teams are a requirement for a successful product lunch.  Unfortunately most implementations of CFTs are nothing more than an illusion of collaboration.  Executives introduce CFTs as a way to cure organizational dysfunction – the big lie.  When implemented poorly (the norm) CFTs are wasteful exercises in forcing people with misaligned objectives to work together to solve a problem.  In these instances the CFT leader goes through the motions, endures enormous hassle and spends more time to get less done.

Implementing powerful cross-functional teams requires a cultural shift, setting high expectations of team members, aligning objectives and providing training.  When done right it’s magic. It just doesn’t happen organically.

Technorati Tags: cross-functional teams,launch teams,product launch