"A castle is only as strong as the people who defend it." This Japanese proverb also applies to organizations. They are only as effective as their unified team efforts. Although team performance is difficult to measure, research agrees on specific metrics for characterizing winning teams, as graphically shown in Figure 1. More specifically, Table 3 breaks these characteristics of high performing project teams is into four categories: 1) work and team structure, 2) communications and control, 3) team leadership, and 4) attitude and values. These broad measures can provide a framework for benchmarking and a simple model for organizing and analyzing the variables that influence the team's characteristics and its ultimate performance. Teams that score high on these characteristics are also seen by upper management as most favorable in dealing with cost, quality, creativity, schedules, and customer satisfaction. They also receive favorable ratings on the more subtle measures of high team performance, such as flexibility, change orientation, innovative performance, high morale, and team spirit.
Table 3: Benchmarking Your Team Performance
Project Performance Metrics
Agreed-on results and performance
Innovative, creative solutions
Concern for quality
On-time and within budget delivery
Work and Team Structure
Team participates in project definition, work plans evolve dynamically
Team structure and responsibilities evolve and change as needed
Broad information sharing
Team leadership evolves based on expertise, trust, respect
Minimal dependence on bureaucracy, procedures, politics
Communication and Control
Effective cross-functional channels, linkages
Ability to seek out and process information
Effective group decision-making and consensus
Clear sense of purpose and direction
Self-control, accountability, and ownership
Control is stimulated by visibility, recognition, accomplishments, autonomy
Team Leadership
Minimal hierarchy in member status and position
Internal team leadership based on situational expertise, trust, and need
Clear management goals, direction, and support
Inspires and encourages
Attitudes and Values
Members are committed to established objectives and plans
Shared goals, values, and project ownership
High involvement, energy, work interest, need for achievement, pride, self-motivated
Capacity for conflict resolution and resource sharing
Team building and self-development
Risk sharing, mutual trust, and support
Innovative behavior
Flexibility and willingness to change
High morale and team spirit
High commitment to established project goals
Continuous improvement of work process, efficiency, quality