What are the benefits of cross-team innovation and how can project coordinators promote it?
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— The LinkedIn Team
Cross-team innovation is the process of generating and implementing new ideas by collaborating with people from different teams, departments, or disciplines. It can help organizations solve complex problems, improve products and services, and gain a competitive edge. But how can project coordinators facilitate and support cross-team innovation in their projects? Here are some tips and best practices to consider.
Before inviting cross-team input, you need to have a clear understanding of the problem you are trying to solve and the goal you are aiming for. This will help you frame the challenge, communicate it effectively, and align the expectations of the stakeholders. You can use tools like problem statements, SMART goals, and project scopes to define and document the problem and the goal.
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Gustavo Daniel
IT Manager | IT Infrastructure Coordinator | Project Leader | Operations Management
The greatest benefits are directly related to the plurality of experiences, specific skills, points of view and the great learning environment that naturally leads to the generation of more and more ideas. The coordinator must serve as a catalyst, for this he needs to know where this initiative should arrive. Valuing assertive communication between all members and stakeholders, supporting conflict resolution and promoting an environment where everyone feels safe to collaborate and be who they are thus generating greater and extremely necessary engagement.
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Cross-team innovation fosters fresh perspectives and creative solutions. Project coordinators can promote it by encouraging diverse collaboration, setting clear objectives, and providing a supportive environment for sharing ideas.
Cross-team innovation requires diversity of perspectives, skills, and experiences. You need to identify and engage the people who can contribute to the solution, whether they are experts, users, customers, or partners. You also need to consider their availability, motivation, and compatibility. You can use tools like stakeholder analysis, network mapping, and persona creation to identify and engage the right people.
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Kailas Bairagi
Project Coordinator
As an experienced project coordinator, I've learned that for successful cross-team innovation, it's essential to find and involve the right people. This means identifying those with diverse skills and perspectives like experts, users, or partners. We must consider their availability, motivation, and compatibility. Tools like stakeholder analysis, network mapping, and creating user personas can be very helpful. It's not just about having the right people; it's about making sure they can commit to the project and are motivated. We also need to ensure they can work well together and address any conflicts. Regular communication and feedback from these stakeholders are key to a successful project.
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Maria Rosa Torres Sejin
Global Strategic Programme Manager PMP®| Diversity & Inclusion | Cultural & Change Transformations | Co Founder | Board Member | We are the City Raising Star Banking & Markets award winner ‘23
Here are some more insights on how to identify and engage the right individuals for successful innovation: - Expertise and Skills: Look for individuals who bring a variety of expertise, skills, and experiences to the table. These diverse perspectives can lead to more creative and robust solutions. - Availability and Commitment: Ensure that the individuals you engage have the time and motivation to actively contribute to the innovation project. Their commitment is key to the success of cross-team efforts. - Compatibility and Collaboration Skills: Assess the compatibility and collaborative skills of potential team members. Effective communication and teamwork are essential for cross-team innovation.
Cross-team innovation thrives in a collaborative environment where people can share, learn, and build on each other's ideas. You need to create a space and a culture that encourages openness, trust, and feedback. You also need to provide the tools and resources that enable effective communication and coordination. You can use tools like online platforms, brainstorming sessions, and co-creation workshops to create a collaborative environment.
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Omar Alsenayen
Chief Of Staff at Jeddah Central Development Company
Create a Steering Committee with charter that defines roles and responsibilities and includes members from different departments
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Maria Rosa Torres Sejin
Global Strategic Programme Manager PMP®| Diversity & Inclusion | Cultural & Change Transformations | Co Founder | Board Member | We are the City Raising Star Banking & Markets award winner ‘23
My top three: - Openness and Trust: Encourage an open and trusting culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, insights, and concerns without fear of criticism. Openness promotes the free flow of ideas. - Feedback Culture: Promote a feedback culture where constructive feedback is valued and used for continuous improvement. This culture helps teams learn from each other's experiences. - Diverse Perspectives: Embrace diversity of thought and experiences. Teams with members from varied backgrounds and disciplines are more likely to generate innovative solutions.
Cross-team innovation is not a linear or predictable process. You need to manage the uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity that come with it. You also need to monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impact of the innovation. You need to define and follow a process that allows for experimentation, iteration, and adaptation. You also need to establish and use metrics and indicators that measure the progress and success of the innovation. You can use tools like agile methodologies, prototyping, and testing to manage the process and the outcomes.
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Omar Alsenayen
Chief Of Staff at Jeddah Central Development Company
Establish a portal to automate the process of submitting ideas, have a team of subject matter experts dedicated to review the submitted ideas and evaluate them based on pre-set criteria, and ensure rewarding system for the top ideas
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Florian-Valentin Rîpeanu
Managing the process involves planning, organizing, and executing tasks efficiently. It's like conducting a symphony—each part plays a crucial role, and timing is key. Meanwhile, managing outcomes requires monitoring and adapting to ensure things align with the desired results. It's a bit like chess, where you're thinking ahead to anticipate and influence the final board state
Cross-team innovation is a collective effort that requires recognition and reward. You need to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of the people involved, whether they are small or big, individual or team-based. You also need to celebrate and share the achievements and learnings of the innovation. You can use tools like feedback surveys, recognition programs, and case studies to recognize and reward the contributions.
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Haseeb Ur Rehman- MPM, BEE
Assistant Manager projects (PMO) | Expertise in Project & Engineering Management | Electrical Engineering |
Cross-team innovation fosters diverse perspectives and ideas, leading to more creative and effective solutions. Project coordinators can promote it by recognizing and rewarding contributions from individuals and teams. Acknowledging innovative ideas, offering incentives or bonuses, and publicly praising exceptional work can incentivize employees to collaborate and innovate across teams. This can be achieved through regular recognition programs, peer nominations, or performance evaluations that place value on innovation. Such recognition not only motivates individuals but also creates a culture of collaboration and innovation across the organization, ultimately benefiting project outcomes.
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Henry Tan
Project Director
Cross-team innovation offers diverse perspectives, enhanced creativity, efficiency, quicker time-to-market, and increased employee engagement. Project coordinators can promote it by creating cross-functional teams, setting clear objectives, facilitating communication, encouraging knowledge sharing, providing resources, recognizing contributions, celebrating successes, and continually evaluating and adapting strategies.
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Haseeb Ur Rehman- MPM, BEE
Assistant Manager projects (PMO) | Expertise in Project & Engineering Management | Electrical Engineering |
Cross-team innovation fosters a diverse range of ideas and expertise, enhancing problem-solving and creativity. It encourages knowledge sharing, reducing redundancy and promoting efficiency. Project coordinators can promote it by creating a collaborative culture through regular knowledge exchange sessions, fostering open communication, and facilitating interdisciplinary team meetings. They should also establish a framework for cross-team collaboration, providing resources and support for joint initiatives. Additionally, recognizing and rewarding innovative contributions can incentivize teams to engage in cross-team innovation, contributing to overall project success.
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Alan Papili
Director at The Culture Net Srl
1. Encourage open communication: Project coordinators should foster an open and inclusive environment that encourages team members to exchange ideas, perspectives, and feedback without fear of judgment or hierarchy. 2. Build interdisciplinary teams: When forming project teams, consider including individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets. This mix can spark creative thinking and promote cross-pollination of ideas. 3. Facilitate collaboration platforms: Provide teams with digital tools and platforms that enable seamless information sharing, instant messaging, and collaborative document editing. Remember, cross-team innovation requires ongoing effort and commitment.