4 Types of Work Teams

Tomorrow we are scratching the surface of the EQ Skill of Teamwork & Collaboration.  To prime the pump, you might read through these different types of Work Teams.  Which kind are you? Write your answer under the "Blog" column tomorrow on the completion chart. See ya'll then!

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.