Collaboration tools have made working in teams easier and more effective than ever. However, finding the right members to create your own IT “dream team” is one obstacle all organizations must overcome. In the tech sector, it can be even more difficult. Several studies report that there is a shortage of skilled workers in IT. Secondly, even with highly talented members, a team can fail when not assembled strategically. Below are some essential tips for assembling your IT dream team.
Recruit by talent and culture
Building a dream team is similar to building a dream house. If you don’t have all the right materials, then it is most likely not going to turn out the way you want. Configuring a strong group dynamic is essential to making it work. The key to attracting talent is discovering what motivates the types of people you want, but also, whether or not those individuals will thrive in your company culture. For instance, many organizations have looked towards building a fun company culture in order to attract fresh talent.
Know your players
The most successful groups consist of members that complement each other’s skills and working style. How can organizations find out individual’s skills and working style? One way is simply from observation and previous work experience. But, there are other ways to learn more about your employees. Some companies ask job candidates or new employees to take a behavior and skills assessment at the start of a business relationship.
For more seasoned workers, organizations can track individual performance. Instead of conducting the outdated, once-a-year performance review, leaders meet with employees for feedback sessions four or more times a year. During these, they can learn more about individual motivations, gauge experience levels, and identify strengths and areas of improvement. The more that an organization knows about how its employees work, the better. This insight will be key in forming groups whose members have skills and attitudes that complement each other.
Define goals and roles
For any project or business, a clear, well-defined goal should be established at the start. It can be easy to fall into the day-to-day execution frame of mind, which can give way to micro-management. Reminding teams of the “big picture” helps prevent them from getting off track or missing deadlines.
Furthermore, defining roles can be essential to teamwork. When each individual understands his or her purpose–and how it fits into the bigger picture–they are more likely to achieve goals. Establishing roles is another way to assure that the workload is evenly distributed and that each member contributes. For instance, leaders are crucial for setting the example and uniting the rest of the team.
Use data to improve
There are dozens of factors that can affect whether or not a company or a project is a success. However, when businesses track the progress of a goal from idea to execution, they can make adjustments in real-time. At the end of a project, reflect on group performance data, use wireless presentation software to visualize the top takeaways, and improve future teamwork.
Building an IT dream team that continuously tackles projects and champions their industry space won’t happen overnight. However, organizations that devote the time and resources into strategically recruiting and fostering productive team dynamics will rise above their competition.
