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Team Diagnosis
Overview:
Services in this area focus on the collection of data to assess the current state of teamwork and related issues in the organization. The data is then used to diagnose the strengths and weakness and develop an improvement plan. The focal point of the process may be a single team or a total organization.
The key to success in diagnosis is the effective collaboration between consultant and client. From identifying the goals to collecting the data to analyzing the results to preparing a plan of action, we work hand-in-hand with the client organization. Often, employees in the client organization will even administer the surveys and tally the results. In addition to the obvious benefits, collaboration can make the diagnosis process cost-effective for the organization.
Typical Activities:
- Surveys: Most often, we create a custom survey instrument that reflects the current issues and terminology in the organization. However, some organizations are comfortable with a standard survey. In these cases we use our Team Development Survey (Xicom) or a survey from the handbook, 25 Instruments For Team Building (HRD Press).
- Interviews: When a small team is the focal point, we always conduct individual interviews with each team member. An original interview guide is created that reflects the current team issues. For larger teams and when a total organization is the subject of the diagnosis, a sample of participants will be interviewed. Sample interviews often supplement a large survey.
- Focus Groups: When there is a need to collect verbal response data from a large number of people, focus groups are used. These groups "focus" on several issues using a series of pre-planned questions with the responses recorded on flip charts. Once again, focus groups are often used to follow-up on a large-scale survey.
- Observation: When group process data (e.g., interpersonal conflict) is important to the diagnosis, a process observer will sit in on team meetings or other group sessions. Using a prepared observation guide, notes will be taken and included in the total diagnosis. In addition, informal observation data collected from just "being there" is often a part of the total data collection process.