Team structure

Team structure
See also
Self managed team Team roles Principles of delegation Phases of team creation Centralized organizational structure Forms of organisation Types of governance Team development Network organization structure

Team structure is a way of organizing and managing group work. It is designed to make the most efficient use of resources and personnel to achieve the goals of the team. It helps to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals. A good team structure should be flexible and dynamic, allowing for growth and change as the team needs evolve.

In order to create an effective team structure, there are several elements that need to be considered:

• Roles & Responsibilities: It is important to clearly define roles and responsibilities for each team member. This ensures that everyone knows what their task is and what is expected of them. This also allows for accountability within the team.
• Communication: Communication is key for any team. It is important to ensure that everyone is able to communicate their ideas effectively and that everyone is on the same page.
• Decision Making: It is important to have a clear decision-making process in place. This can be done through a voting system, consensus, or other methods. This allows for a more efficient team structure.
• Leadership: Someone needs to be in charge of the team, to ensure that it is functioning properly and that everyone is on the same page.
• Training & Development: It is important to provide ongoing training and development opportunities for team members. This will help to ensure that they have the necessary skills to succeed.

These are just some of the elements that need to be considered when creating a team structure. It is important to ensure that the structure is flexible and allows for growth and change as the team’s needs evolve. With an effective team structure in place, teams can work together more effectively and efficiently to achieve their goals.

Example of Team structure

A common team structure consists of a team leader and several team members. The team leader is responsible for setting up a system of roles and responsibilities and delegating tasks to the team members. The team leader is also responsible for managing the team, providing support and guidance, and resolving any conflicts that may arise. The team members are responsible for carrying out the tasks assigned to them, communicating effectively with the team leader and other members, and providing feedback.

Types of Team structure

There are four main types of team structure: functional, divisional, matrix, and hybrid.

• Functional Structure: This is the most common structure, and involves team members being grouped together based on their expertise and skills. This structure allows for specialization and focuses on individuals being an expert in one specific area.
• Divisional Structure: This is a structure where teams are divided into smaller groups, based on the tasks they are performing. This allows for more flexibility and allows teams to focus on different aspects of the job.
• Matrix Structure: This is a structure that combines both the functional and divisional structures. It is designed to maximize resources and personnel in order to achieve the team’s goals.
• Hybrid Structure: This is a combination of two or more of the above structures. It is designed to maximize efficiency and to ensure that the team is working towards the same goals.

Each of these structures has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to consider the organization’s goals and needs when determining which structure is most appropriate. By understanding the different types of team structure, organizations can ensure that they are getting the most out of their teams.

Steps of Team creation

There are several steps involved in setting up a team structure:

• Establish Goals: It is important to establish clear and achievable goals for the team. This will help to guide the structure and ensure that everyone is working towards the same objectives.
• Assign Roles & Responsibilities: Once the goals are established, roles and responsibilities should be assigned to each team member. This will ensure that everyone knows what their tasks are and what is expected of them.
• Create a Decision-Making Process: It is important to have a clear decision-making process in place. This can be done through a voting system, consensus, or other methods. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that decisions are made efficiently.
• Set Communication Guidelines: Communication is key for any team. It is important to set communication guidelines to ensure that everyone is able to communicate their ideas effectively.
• Develop Leadership: Leadership is key for a successful team. It is important to develop leadership skills to ensure that the team is functioning properly and that everyone is on the same page.
• Provide Training & Development: It is important to provide ongoing training and development opportunities for team members. This will help to ensure that they have the necessary skills to succeed.

Advantages of Team structure

There are many advantages to having a well-structured team:

• Increased Efficiency: A well-structured team is more efficient and able to work together more effectively.
• Improved Communication: A team structure allows for better communication between members, which leads to more effective decision-making.
• Increased Motivation: A team structure can help to motivate team members and provide them with a sense of ownership.
• Better Problem Solving: A team structure allows for more effective problem-solving and can help to identify and address problems quickly.

Limitations of Team structure

Team structures are not without their limitations. They can be hard to implement and enforce, and it is difficult to keep team members motivated when there is a lack of structure. Additionally, when teams become too large or too complex it can be difficult to maintain the structure. Finally, team structures can be limited by the resources and personnel available.

Other approaches related to Team structure

In addition to the elements mentioned above, there are some other approaches that can be used to create an effective team structure. These include:

• Clear Goals & Objectives: It is important to have clear goals and objectives that everyone understands and agrees with. This will help to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.
• Performance Monitoring: Performance monitoring is important in order to ensure that everyone is meeting the team's expectations.
• Team Building Exercises: Team building exercises are a great way to help build relationships and trust between team members.
• Feedback: Feedback is key for any team. It is important to provide feedback in order to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that everyone is working towards the same goal.

Suggested literature

• Stewart, G. L., & Barrick, M. R. (2000). Team structure and performance: Assessing the mediating role of intrateam process and the moderating role of task type. Academy of management Journal, 43(2), 135-148.
• Urban, J. M., Bowers, C. A., Monday, S. D., & Morgan Jr, B. B. (1995). Workload, team structure, and communication in team performance. Military Psychology, 7(2), 123-139.