What do you do if your cross-functional team in manufacturing engineering is facing communication challenges?

Communication does not always contribute to collaboration, but collaboration cannot happen without communication. Set the Right Tone , with clear goals and expectations. It’s better to have Employee Input. Schedule Regular Touch points while focusing on alignment. Work upon barriers &. Determine Optimal Communication Channel Make all effort collaborative and celebrate achievements

As we faced same concern an year ago, we worked on process instead of people.. what went wrong in communication and where it went wrong and why.. The outcome was people think that it is not necessary or critical to communicate and anyhow it was resolved why to communicate and there is no tracking and it was in air… We focused on the process, we have level up strategy as Front liners of Production and Engineering to satisfy together and discuss the concerns and make an agreement. If any disagreement escalate to level-2 at both the departments and will be discussed in CFT daily meeting and come to conclusion and inform to team members as such we are now one page (manufacturing and Engineering).. still way to go for improvisation…

Conduct Surveys and Interviews: Collect feedback from team members about their experiences and perceptions regarding communication. This can be done through anonymous surveys or one-on-one interviews. Analyze Communication Patterns: Review how information is currently being shared. Look at meeting minutes, email chains, and project management tools to identify bottlenecks and miscommunications. Identify Key Issues: Determine whether the problems are due to unclear communication channels, lack of timely information, misunderstandings, or cultural differences.

Implement regular check ins and clear channels like Slack or Teams. And remember, nothing beats a good old-fashioned pizza meeting to break the ice, it is all about people and a smile.

Facilitate Open Meetings: Organize regular meetings where team members can openly discuss their concerns without fear of retribution. Use these meetings to listen actively and validate their experiences. Encourage Feedback: Create an open-door policy where team members can provide feedback anytime. Use tools like suggestion boxes or anonymous online forms. Promote Inclusivity: Ensure that all voices are heard, especially those who might be less outspoken. Consider using facilitators to manage discussions and ensure balanced participation.

Adopt Collaboration Software: Use tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Trello to facilitate real-time communication and project management. Implement Document Management Systems: Ensure all team members have access to up-to-date documents and records. Tools like SharePoint or Google Drive can be effective. Use Visualization Tools: Employ tools like Gantt charts, dashboards, and Kanban boards to provide clear visual updates on project progress and status.

Set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Define metrics to measure the effectiveness of communication, such as response times, meeting efficiency, and number of misunderstandings. Regularly Review Feedback: Collect ongoing feedback from the team about the communication process and make adjustments as necessary. Conduct Periodic Assessments: Schedule regular assessments to review communication protocols and tools, ensuring they remain effective and relevant.

Encourage/ implement huddle meetings which creates environment of collaboration and ease communication challenges..Also create clarity,focus & accountability for the days work with in the cross-functional teams.. Apart from usage of communication software & mail Messages ,managers should practice gemba walk to Observe actual work progress/subordinates alignment with each employees & interact with the employees to realize communication gaps if any ..

Simple way, Start lean daily management ,common Chat box for all CFT,decision making decentralisation. Important note is transparency sure!all hindrances will clear.