Role of Team Building in Managing Complex Projects

Handling complex projects is not at all easy. Whether it’s about launching a groundbreaking product, implementing a system, or managing an initiative, these projects are not at all a piece of cake. But what is the core component of these projects? Any guesses…? Of course, it’s the teams that do a commendable job in making any complex project a smooth success.

No matter how great an idea someone has about executing a project, without having a successful team the chances of success are slim. Also, a team isn’t only about gathering talented individuals together, rather it’s more like a building built on the foundation of trust, communication and collaboration.

In this article, we’ll gain an in-depth understanding about:

What is team building and its role in project management?

Teams play a very crucial role in helping the organization grow and expand. However, if there is any heyday in the team’s dynamics then of course the project gets affected and so does the performance of the organization as a whole. This thereby affects the whole cycle of an organization’s functionality.

Team building is the process of bringing in individuals together to work towards common goals which will eventually help the organization grow.

Without a proper team, project management can get hampered badly. Team building is not only a part of our usual routine, but rather it’s an ecosystem built in collaboration where challenges are looked at as opportunities for learning and growth.

Hence, team building is important because of the following reasons:

Team building undergoes a whole process to get converted into a successful team. These five stages are: forming, storming, norming, performing and at last, adjourning. The team moves through all the stages one by one.

A project is a very integrated part of any organization which involves working on varied disciplines. A great project management is achieved by having resources available within the challenges and limitations of cost, time, and quality. In order to drive a project towards its success, it requires a blend of skills and unified effort.

However, we can’t successfully execute any project if we don’t have a team with desired skill set, background and expertise. Skills like, PMP (Project Management Professional) can be attained to improve teamwork and project efficiency. Moreover, a team must be cross-functional which is a matrix of any project management organization.

Importance of team dynamics in project management

Having a team is great, but how to know if that team will effectively work or not? If there is any crisis situation, how will the team manage to strive through that? Team dynamics refer to a team’s personal interaction with each other which has a direct impact on productivity.

Team dynamics play a very crucial role in making any team as ‘the best team’. Team dynamics will either make or break the business. No matter the organization size, if the team isn’t having the best dynamics then it can have a very strong impact not only on the team but also on the success of the organization as a whole.

Some of the crucial components of team dynamics are:

Strong team dynamics not only enhances productivity but also positively impacts job satisfaction, creativity, increased innovation, decision making, problem solving and ability to resolve conflicts.

Negative team dynamics occur when individuals or groups negatively impact the other person’ ability to work and grow effectively in a team which can significantly impact productivity.

Not only productivity but also it impacts the relationship of team members with each other.

Team Leaders: The glue of a Team

A team leader plays a very crucial role in making the teams stronger and thereby enhancing workplace collaboration. The manager or team leader must lead or make the way out for teams to function together. He or she acts like a person of contact, a mediator who helps the team work effectively. They are like a glue who ensures that the team sticks together, especially in case of any crisis.

Here are some ways a team leader can ensure how to build a team and thereby enhance workplace collaboration and smooth project management:

Have a clear and set vision for team

It’s very important that the team leader makes sure to create an environment for the team wherein everybody has a vision which is clear and focused. This needs to be crafted by the team leader indeed. It’s essential because it will help the individuals to move ahead, stay motivated and deal with problems effectively and calmly.

Build trust amongst the members

Another crucial component, as we have discussed earlier as well, is that the team members must trust each other. The team leader must ensure that the individuals have full faith in each other and are able to depend on each other but also maintain their own individuality.

Encouraging communication

Also a team leader must ensure that there is proper communication within the team. Everything when kept clear and transparent is better to avoid any conflicts.

Resolving conflicts effectively

When many individuals come together there is a difference of opinion that exists which can at times lead to conflicts. A manager or a team leader must know how to deal with such situations as it can cause major discomfort within the team which can affect the productivity of the team. Hence, a team leader must focus on resolving conflicts amongst the team members.

Strategies for Building Effective Teams

It requires great effort and hard work to build and maintain effective teams. Here are some of the strategies of how to build a team effectively for project management:

Setting clear goals and getting everybody on the same page

One of the most crucial strategies of building an effective team is to clearly define the goals and objectives of the project. If the objectives itself are not defined and nobody has any aim to conquer then individuals will just wander aimlessly.

Nobody would know where they are being headed. Moreover, this keeps the team members on the same page.

Building the right team for the project

Building an effective team for a complex project isn’t just about having the skilled individuals but rather it’s also about having the right set of people for that particular project.

One must ensure that the needs of the projects are identified properly and accordingly the members are selected for that particular project.

Team members should know the technical know-how and also the combination of soft skills like communication is essential.

Defining roles and responsibilities in order to provide clarity

When a team is formed, it’s done not just for the sake of it. One needs to ensure that they have a proper set objective and accordingly tell the people involved what they are being expected to do. Doing this, ensures clear communication and people know the in and out of why a team is formed and what they are supposed to do.

Encouraging open and honest communication

Team building helps in enhanced and clear communication amongst the team members. Organizing various activities and games amongst teammates can help in open communication. This ensures that there are no misunderstandings and team members are able to connect with each other.

Also better and enhanced communication ensures projects’ objectives and priorities are clear and the desired outcome can be achieved on time. Studies have shown that team building helps in better communication by approximately 50%.

Handling conflicts like a pro

When many individuals come together there is a difference of opinion that exists which can at times lead to conflicts. Here comes the role of a team leader or a manager.

A manager or a team leader must know how to deal with such situations as it can cause major discomfort within the team which can affect the productivity of the team. Hence, a team leader must focus on resolving conflicts amongst the team members.

What does the future of team build in project management hold?

The way teams are getting built and how they are working is evolving better than ever. AI and machine learning has taken over which significantly defines the future of team building in project management.

AI is now shaping how we work, what means of communication we are using, and also helping us to innovate and transform into something better for the modern world.

Mckinsey and company did a survey in 2022 where it was revealed that approximately half to three fifth of the business reported that they have adopted at least one AI technology to stay updated and in the lane of competition. This percentage has likely increased in 2023.

AI not only means automating the processes and making things easy for people but it is also about helping the employees to develop new skills, bring in new ideas and strategically work on that by fostering effective collaboration at work.

Moreover, a report released by PwC in 2020 showed that AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, wherein much of the enhancement is for fostering human capabilities.

There are many ways through which AI and machine learning enhances collaborative work. Some of them includes: enhanced communication, better decision making, task automation, smart project management, enhanced knowledge sharing, personalized collaboration, real time insights, and virtual/online collaboration setups

Indeed, AI has a lot of advantages for us, especially when it comes to collaborating. Moreover, it is likely that AI will create almost 20 million to 50 million jobs by 20230.

Apart from AI’s contribution, there are some of the AI powered tools that can further help in collaboration, such as, clickup, trello, asana, etc.

Conclusion

Project management is a part of all the teams, but how the complex projects are handled is the concern ultimately. And to handle such complex projects one needs a skilled team. How a team collaborates, communicates and resolves conflicts is something that makes it a success and also the talk of the town. Additionally, it’s very crucial for a team leader to ensure that the team is kept together at all costs. The leader acts like the glue of the team so that everybody sticks together especially in difficult circumstances.

There are many strategies which can ensure how to build a team for complex projects and achieve project management. Some of these strategies include, defining goals and objectives clearly, effective conflict resolution, fostering trust and encouraging open communication, and most importantly building the right team for the project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the stages of a team?

There are five stages of a team: forming, storming, norming, performing and at last, adjourning.

2. Why is team building important?

Corporate team building is important as it helps in building trust, enhances communication, improves productivity and leads to better decision making.

3. How can a team leader enhance team building?

A team leader plays a very vital role in enhancing the team, acting as a mediator or someone who is supposed to lead the team. A team leader must create a fresh and positive vision amongst the team members, make sure that the team members are engaging and should play an active role in conflict resolution.