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team collaboration

By Sarah Lewis

What is team collaboration?

Team collaboration is a communication and project management approach that emphasizes teamwork, innovative thinking and equal participation to achieve objectives. While the word collaboration refers to the act of working with someone to produce something, team collaboration in the workplace also incorporates corporate culture and technology. Goals of team collaboration include completing projects quickly and efficiently, collectively brainstorming solutions and giving all team members a sense of accomplishment.

While there are a variety of approaches to fostering and improving team collaboration, there are a few agreed-upon best practices. Once a team is developed, each member should become acquainted with each other and understand their personal background, expertise, strengths and responsibilities. Team-building activities can help members collaborate from the start. A team leader should also be chosen to lead by example, foster open lines of communication and facilitate meetings and tasks.

Team collaboration can be applied to multiple types of business relationships, such as bosses and subordinates; representatives from multiple teams; employees from two partnering organizations; and company agents with service providers, contractors, volunteers or vendors.

Teams with successful collaboration methods tend to produce benefits such as faster project turnaround times, more met deadlines and -- as a result -- less money spent. In addition, effective team collaboration helps employees learn from each other, problem solve more efficiently, break down communication barriers and see the larger company picture.

Elements of successful team collaboration

Team collaboration software

Team collaboration software has become even more important as many companies have shifted to hybrid and remote work.

Team collaboration software tools can be used to increase collaboration efficiency, hold team members accountable and organize projects. Key features that collaboration tools might incorporate include chat platform integration, scheduling systems, video conferencing and task checklists. Popular team collaboration software providers include Microsoft, Slack, Trello, Zendesk, DropBox and Skype.

24 Jan 2023

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