How can you evaluate cross-functional communication?

1 Define communication goals and metrics

The first step to evaluate cross-functional communication is to define what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. Communication goals should align with your team's purpose, vision, and objectives, and reflect the needs and expectations of your stakeholders. Communication metrics should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and track both the quantity and quality of your communication activities. For example, you can measure how often you communicate with different groups, how well you share information and feedback, how satisfied your team members and customers are with your communication, and how much your communication contributes to your team's performance and outcomes.

2 Use communication tools and platforms

The second step to evaluate cross-functional communication is to use appropriate tools and platforms that facilitate and support your communication processes. Depending on your team's size, complexity, and preferences, you can choose from various options, such as email, chat, video conferencing, project management software, intranet, social media, or newsletters. The key is to use the tools and platforms that suit your communication goals and metrics, and that are accessible, reliable, and user-friendly for your team members and stakeholders. You can also use communication tools and platforms to collect and analyze data on your communication patterns, behaviors, and outcomes, such as the frequency, duration, content, tone, and feedback of your messages and interactions.

3 Solicit and provide feedback

The third step to evaluate cross-functional communication is to solicit and provide feedback on your communication skills and practices. Feedback is a valuable source of information and learning that can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your communication effectiveness and impact. You can solicit feedback from your team members, stakeholders, customers, peers, mentors, or coaches, using various methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, or self-assessments. You can also provide feedback to others on their communication skills and practices, using the same methods, and following the principles of constructive, timely, specific, and actionable feedback.

4 Review and adjust communication strategies

The fourth step to evaluate cross-functional communication is to review and adjust your communication strategies based on your goals, metrics, tools, platforms, and feedback. Communication strategies are the plans and actions that you take to communicate with your team members and stakeholders, such as the frequency, mode, channel, content, tone, and purpose of your communication. You should review your communication strategies regularly and systematically, using the data and feedback that you collect and analyze, and compare them with your communication goals and metrics. You should also adjust your communication strategies as needed, based on the changes and challenges that you face in your cross-functional team environment, such as new projects, tasks, roles, expectations, or conflicts.

5 Learn and develop communication skills

The fifth step to evaluate cross-functional communication is to learn and develop your communication skills as a cross-functional team leader. Communication skills are the abilities and competencies that you need to communicate effectively and efficiently with your team members and stakeholders, such as listening, speaking, writing, presenting, questioning, persuading, negotiating, empathizing, or resolving conflicts. You can learn and develop your communication skills through various means, such as training, coaching, mentoring, reading, watching, practicing, or reflecting. You should also seek opportunities to apply and demonstrate your communication skills in your cross-functional team context, such as leading meetings, delivering presentations, facilitating discussions, or resolving issues.

6 Celebrate and reward communication success

The sixth step to evaluate cross-functional communication is to celebrate and reward your communication success as a cross-functional team leader. Communication success is the achievement of your communication goals and metrics, and the positive impact of your communication skills and strategies on your team's performance and outcomes. You should celebrate and reward your communication success by acknowledging and appreciating your own and others' efforts and contributions, sharing and showcasing your best practices and lessons learned, and recognizing and reinforcing your communication achievements and improvements. You should also use your communication success as a motivation and inspiration to continue learning and developing your communication skills as a cross-functional team leader.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?