There are four fundamentally
different types of work teams:
1) Functional
Team– consist of a group of employees from the same unit
or department that work together to accomplish a shared goal. A functional team
is composed of a manager and direct reports from a particular business
function. These teams can have varying
levels of independence/interdependence.
Typically someone remains a member of a functional team until
transferred, promoted or terminated.
2) Cross-Functional
Team (or Project Teams)
- consist of team members from varied areas of a company who work
together to solve mutual problems. Cross-functional teams tend to be temporary.
Such teams are formed for a variety of reasons including (a) to solve problems that
impact multiple parts of the organization (b) improve work processes that cross
departmental lines (c) coordinate processes or activities that cross
organizational boundaries and (d) perform tasks that require breadth and depth
of knowledge, skills and experience.
3) Self-Directed
Team – operate without formal managers and are
responsible to complete work processes or segments. Most decisions are made through consensus.
Employee empowerment is often is an important component of such a team. Some self-directed teams may be empowered to
set their own work schedules, train new hires, and even make hire and fire
decisions.
4) Virtual
Team – are formed when people work together across time,
space and geographical boundaries with the assistance of technology. Recent
enhancements in technology, transportation and communication have spurred rapid
growth in the application of virtual teams.
The organizational structure tends to be horizontal, and human resources
are geographically distributed in verbal teams. The increasing globalization of
trade and corporate activities has stimulated the formation of virtual teams to
encompass a broader labor pool and reduce travel expenses.
