Sometimes it’s not clear how cross-team projects should be launched, function and proceed.
Follow these simple guidelines for accomplishing as a group what individuals on your team could not accomplish alone.
First, set up your basic parameters: a goal for the next meeting; roles; and type of discussion (e.g., brainstorming vs. goal setting). Be sure to include any earlier discussion points and agreements.
Then use the following framing questions. First ask:
- Where are we so far?
- Can we report the status of the project’s main elements, listing and including everything we know?
- What do we want to achieve at this meeting, specifically?
At the next meeting, ask:
- What is the best way to reach and/or exceed our goal for this meeting?
- Should we brainstorm or share what we’ve learned and what we’ve prepared?
- How should we best think this through as a group, inclusive of everyone’s input?
- Let’s throw out a few options and work out how to move the needle forward?
Finally, make assignments and tap the energy of the group.
- what are our “Action Items” moving forward?
- Who is the best person to focus on each particular “Action Item”?
- How do we make this happen?
- What’s our deadline? (This is essential in order to avoid a myopic approach to task assignments)
- Next Steps?
