Maximizing Team Productivity through Self-Management
Self-managed teams are groups of skilled workers who collaborate to accomplish goals and responsibilities without relying on a traditional management hierarchy They are empowered to make decisions, solve problems, and optimize their work processes, resulting in increased productivity and improved job satisfaction
Self-managed teams are a unique group of individuals who are solely responsible and accountable for all the aspects of the tasks they undertake. In contrast to traditional organizations, where employees are assigned tasks based on their functional department or specialist skills, these teams are created with a more collaborative approach.
A self-managed team is responsible for executing technical tasks and providing support in areas such as work planning, scheduling, and managing gaps caused by absences or suspensions. It's important to note that management and technical roles are regularly rotated among team members and require approval from the manager and necessary authority and autonomy before being undertaken. Although these teams have a high level of autonomy in their operations, there are still ways to enhance their efficiency. One effective method is to ensure that the team is composed of individuals from various departments and ranks within the organization.
Taking this approach is crucial as it prevents discrimination or intimidation of team members who may feel inferior to others. This eliminates controversies and biases, especially in tasks that require sound judgment. Having representatives from each department in these teams promotes inter-departmental unity and harmony, enhancing the growth of the organization towards achieving its goals and objectives. Additionally, ensuring that these teams comprise of small numbers has numerous advantages, including improved communication between team members and the manager.
Effective communication is essential for a team pursuing a project with satisfactory results. However, this becomes difficult in larger groups with divergent opinions. A smaller group is easier to manage, especially when time is a constraint. In larger groups, individuals tend to assume that someone else will take on the task, leading to inefficiency. In contrast, smaller groups encourage active participation and value each member's contribution towards achieving the desired outcome. As a result, smaller groups tend to produce better results in a shorter time frame than larger groups.
To enhance the effectiveness of self-managed teams, empowerment is key. There are various ways to empower teams, one of which is providing them with the necessary tools to carry out their assigned tasks. For example, if the task requires research, equipping them with mobile internet devices such as laptops, tablets, and phones can be beneficial. These tools facilitate their work and enable them to achieve their goals in a shorter amount of time.
Empowering teams through training is a surefire way to equip them with the necessary skills to effectively carry out tasks. By honing their abilities, they become better equipped to achieve desirable results. Moreover, granting them authority and autonomy is a powerful means of empowering such teams. This allows them to independently conceptualize and realize ideas, free from external interference or influence. Such an approach saves time and minimizes the risk of making poor decisions under pressure.
Self-managed teams can achieve greater effectiveness by being multifunctional. This means that team members are given the opportunity to perform different tasks within the organization, utilizing their diverse skills and knowledge. Limiting a team to a single role can hinder their potential to maximize their abilities, which ultimately undermines their performance.
When creating a self-managed team, it's important to ensure that it's multifunctional and can effectively handle tasks that are assigned to them. However, it's equally crucial to only assign tasks that the team is capable of handling successfully. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the team remains focused on achieving necessary results that contribute to achieving the organization's goals and objectives.
