Types Of Teams

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 Types of Teams
• Teams can be classified according to their
objectives.
• The four most common forms of teams are:
– Problem solving Teams
– Self Managed Teams
– Cross Functional Teams
– Virtual Teams

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 Problem solving teams
• Members share ideas or offer suggestions on how
work processes and methods can be improved.
• They rarely have the authority to unilaterally
implement any of their suggested actions.
• Composed of 5-12 members and are functional for a
stipulated time frame only.
• Meet to discuss on ways to improve quality,
efficiency & the work environment.

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 Self-Managed work teams
• Group of employees (10-15 in number), who perform highly related or
independent jobs and take on may of the responsibilities of their former
supervisors.
• These tasks involve planning and scheduling work, assigning tasks to
members, making operating decisions, taking action on problems etc.
• Fully self managed work teams even select their own members and have
the members evaluate each other’s performance.
 Collective control over the pace of the work
 Determination of Work Assignments
 Organization of breaks
 Collective choice of inspection procedures used

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 Cross functional Teams
• These are teams made up of employees from about the same
hierarchical level but from different work areas, who come
together to accomplish a task.
• These teams are an effective means for allowing people from
diverse areas within an organization to exchange
information, develop new ideas and solve problems, and
coordinate complex projects.
• Their early stages of development are often very time
consuming, as members learn to work with diversity and
complexity.
• It takes time to build trust and teamwork, especially among
people from different backgrounds with different
experiences and perspectives.
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 Virtual Teams
• VTs use computer technology to tie together physically
dispersed members in order to achieve a common goal.
• They allow people to collaborate online- using
communication links such as wide-area networks, video
conferencing, or e-mail.
• Despite their ubiquity, virtual teams face special challenges.
• They may suffer because there is less social rapport and less
direct interaction among members.

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 Teams & Animals
The types of teams can also be correlated with animals :
1. Management teams (Tigers and Lions): The kingdom of teams can
be called management teams, which consist mainly of managers for
various functions like sales and production. This species coordinate
work among teams.
2. Virtual teams (Birds): A characteristic of this new type of work team
members communicate through computers, flying in and out when
needed, and take turns leading the team.
3. Quality circles (Elephant) : In danger of extinction, this type,
typically made up of workers and supervisors, needs occasionally to
air workplace problems.
4. Work teams (ants) : An increasing popular species, teams do just
that- the daily work. When empowered, they are self-managed
teams.

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