The 5 Ps of team design and development for managers
Teams are a useful business tool for improving processes and quality, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction or cost reduction. Many managers recognize the benefits that teams can bring, but do not adequately consider what it takes for a team to function in the direction that management wants. When forming teams, the manager must consider the purpose, participation, and placement of members, as well as the team’s processes and plans. With the 5 Ps of purpose, participation, location, process, and plan, management can better design teams and determine development needs.
objective – Will the team clearly understand why they exist, what they should do, and how will they know they are successful? The team and management must agree to the written purpose or mission so that they are working together in a common direction toward solutions that meet their overall purpose. Team goals and management timelines should align with their overall purpose and will serve to guide performance and help them meet challenges.
Participation – Who would be the best people to include on the team and how large should the group be to achieve its purpose? Management must consider necessary skill sets, professional attitudes, and process knowledge when selecting team members. Also, for membership in team building or as staff needs grow, strive for a balance between personality types for both the task and the people focus, so that the solutions team can design will be more diverse and innovative to achieve the team’s purpose and what is required. works.
Placement – Where will team members be physically located and how often does the team need to plan meetings? If the team is to be an intact workgroup, this may simplify some things, but the group will need a meeting room for solving complex problems. If the team is spread out over multiple sites, managers will need to consider the costs and potential problems the team may have due to cultural or time differences, and then determine if travel is required for some meetings or if any special equipment is needed for that members meet regularly. by phone or online.
Process – How will the team get where it needs to go to achieve its purpose? Members must develop and agree to their basic rules, any restrictions that the administration may establish related to decision-making authority or functional limits. Initial team training should include meeting management with a suggested meeting agenda and record keeping formats, interpersonal communication, problem solving and, if relevant to the team’s work, include process mapping.
Plan – Will the team recognize when their project or assignment will be completed and know what they need to accomplish their tasks? If the goals are specific to their purpose and the team agrees that they are relevant and achievable goals, then the team should agree on a timeline for the goals and a way to measure how they are doing towards the goals. Not only must the team and their management define work deadlines and expected milestones in their goals and schedules, but they must also include the training necessary to acquire cooperation and skills related to the task.
By keeping the 5 Ps of purpose, participation, location, process, and plan in mind, management can design better teams and plan their development needs accordingly. Recognizing the benefits that teams can bring to a business or organization is good, but teams are only effective when management understands what may be necessary to move their teams in the desired direction. Well-designed and developed teams only become useful for process and quality improvement when managers consider the selection of members for the best participation and preferred location along with the team’s purpose, process, and plan.