cultivating a sense of "team" - maximizing innovation in cross-functional teams
TRANSCRIPT
Cultivating a Sense of “Team”Maximizing Innovation in Cross-Functional Teams
Ashley Wali, Director of Project Management
#2
Product Development at ModCloth
Sphere (noun) - A dedicated, cross-functional team assigned to and responsible for an area of the platform
Roles on a Sphere
Multi-Location
Why Cross-Functional Teams
• Speed of development• Self sufficiency• Sum is greater than the parts
Product Successes• Native iPad app• Style Gallery• Warehouse system
improvements• Returns processing
tools
4 Main Challenges to Innovation
1. Lack of trust, particularly with virtual team members
2. Feeling disconnected to the rest of the team’s work3. Feeling unable to contribute to innovation 4. Marginalization of non-developer team members
Challenge: Lack of Trust
• Interoffice travel
Image: creative commons
Challenge: Lack of Trust
• Break down cultural barriers
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Challenge: Lack of Trust
• Regular, frequent touch points
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Challenge: Lack of Trust
• Servant leadership
Image: http://createdbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Challenge: Being Disconnected
• Weekly show and tell
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Challenge: Being Disconnected
• Product managers preview what’s next
Image: http://agilenature.com/
Challenge: Being Disconnected
• Celebrate successes as a team
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Challenge: Contributing to Innovation
• Designer office hours
Challenge: Contributing to Innovation
• QA involvement up front
Image: buzzle.com
Challenge: Marginalization
• The team as one
Image: http://levechad.blogspot.com/
Challenge: Marginalization
• Cut off technical discussions
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Challenge: Marginalization
• Communicate highlights from all practice areas
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What challenges have you faced?
Summary
1. Humanize your interactions2. Encourage regular touch points3. Celebrate wins as a team4. Promote inclusivity5. Foster respect and understanding of all roles
