Your team is facing resource constraints in R&D. How can you boost morale and productivity?

There are three things you could consider. First, use the problem to challenge your team to find a solution. Find stories of how others have used scrap, used miniaturization, used collaboration, etc., to deal with such situations. Second, obvious one, ask team to identify everything that is essential, and then, cut the remaining out of your scope and plan. Third, brainstorm with your team on what all is possible to achieve with the available resources, irrespective of the original scope. Now, assimilate it, and, you should have a way forward.

I truly believe, and this is not demagogy, that opportunities arise in times of difficulty. The first thing I would do is inform the team about the situation. Then, together with the team, I would prioritize the most important projects and set the challenge of determining more cost-effective ways to carry out each project. Involvement generates engagement and consequently increases team productivity and morale.

To boost morale and productivity during R&D resource constraints, encourage open communication and transparency about challenges, while recognizing team efforts. Prioritize projects to focus on high-impact tasks, and explore creative solutions like cross-department collaborations or leveraging existing resources. Offering flexible work options or celebrating small wins can also maintain motivation.

Putting people first and recognizing their importance is one of the most effective things you can do. By openly sharing the situation with them, the team will feel respected and valued, which encourages them to find innovative ways to keep delivering. When a company takes care of its people, they, in turn, take care of the company during challenging times.