How can you build a cross-functional team from scratch?

2 Select the right people

The next step is to select the right people for your cross-functional team. You want to look for people who have the skills, knowledge, and experience that match the project's requirements, but also have the attitude, mindset, and personality that fit the team's culture and dynamics. You want to balance diversity and cohesion, so that you can leverage different perspectives and ideas, but also foster trust and collaboration. You can use various tools and methods to assess the potential team members, such as interviews, assessments, references, and portfolios.

3 Establish the norms and rules

Once you have your cross-functional team in place, you need to establish the norms and rules that will guide the team's behavior and performance. You need to create a shared understanding of how the team will communicate, coordinate, make decisions, solve problems, and handle conflicts. You also need to define the roles and expectations of each team member, and how they will be accountable and supportive of each other. You can use various techniques to facilitate this process, such as team chartering, feedback sessions, and ground rules.

4 Provide the support and resources

Another important step to building a cross-functional team is to provide the support and resources that the team needs to succeed. You need to ensure that the team has access to the tools, information, and training that they need to complete their tasks and achieve their goals. You also need to provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback to help the team members develop their skills, overcome their challenges, and improve their performance. You can use various strategies to support your team, such as regular check-ins, coaching conversations, and recognition programs.

5 Monitor and evaluate the progress and results

The final step to building a cross-functional team is to monitor and evaluate the progress and results of the team. You need to track the team's performance and outcomes, and compare them with the project's objectives and expectations. You also need to measure the team's satisfaction and engagement, and identify any issues or gaps that need to be addressed. You can use various methods to monitor and evaluate your team, such as surveys, metrics, reports, and reviews.

By following these steps, you can build a cross-functional team from scratch that delivers value and results for your organization. You can also use personal coaching skills and techniques to help your team members grow, learn, and collaborate effectively and efficiently.

6 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?