When it comes to companies with many different deparments the unfortunate downside is silos. Each department can become so focused on their own tasks at hand that the other departments become secondary in priority. There are two key things I have seen when this happens:
- Departments are made up of people (the people part usually gets lost); and
- Departments need to work together as a team to keep the machine running
The Reforming Project Management Blog had a great list of questions to ask when dealing with "Team Communication and Health." Asking these questions can help identify gaps in communication that can then be addressed with team building exercises, lessons in communication and development.
- To what extent is the team positive?
- To what extent is honesty and trust evident?
- To what extent is the team learning and improving?
- Is morale improving, steady or declining?
- To what extent are team members being open and honest with each other?
- Are there barriers between trades and professions and if so How high are the silo walls?
- How long or short are tempers?
- To what extent are team members collaborating?
