The concept of working in teams has been found to be beneficial and is adopted by every organization to build healthy relationships. Another methodology where in people from varying fields are made to work in a group and achieve collective goals. This type of group is known as cross functional team.

This group usually consists of skilled professionals who have mastered in their field. In a way this team is self directed as the professionals are into their own work and the interests vary. A person working on accounts would not be able to contribute to the human resource department hence the work remains divided and individuality persists.

A cross functional team may or may not be lead by someone. Since the personnel’s are well equipped with knowledge they may not require assistance. A person who leads this team has to be multi facet as his/her team would consist of people performing different functions.

This concept is beneficial as it increases the knowledge sharing capacity of the team members. Every member learns something new from the other and hence it leads to overall development. Also while taking important decisions different kind of views can be collated and the views are more generalized.

This kind of group can be tormenting for the manager since he/she may have to shuffle between different doubts and tasks. If the team members are from same department it becomes easy for the manager to handle them. Also sometimes because of lack of similar interests the interactions may lower and every member may prefer to remain aloof.

-Arti bakshi

“Human Resource”- A magazine for the discerning professional

www.humanresource.net.in