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Boundary Management

A Three-Hour Module

There are three components of successful teamwork. First, each member of the team must be an effective team player. Second, the team must function effectively as a group. Finally, the team must create and maintain success relationships with other teams and key people both inside and outside the organization. This workshop focuses on how a cross-functional team can manage the relationships with the key groups who contribute to the success of the team. Some research with product development teams demonstrates that "external relations" is the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of a team. In other words, to be successful a cross-functional product team must manage the effectively boundaries with other teams.

During this workshop you will:

• Identify the key groups that support your team.
• Determine the type of support you need and what type of support you can provide.
• Learn the importance of boundary management to team success.
• Participate in a team simulation that demonstrates the elements of boundary management.
• Develop a strategy for improving boundary management with your key support groups.

Prior to the program, participants will read Chapter 7, "Building Bridges Outside the Team," in Cross-Functional Teams: Working With Allies, Enemies and Other Strangers, Jossey-Bass, 1994.