The solutions to today’s challenges require an increasing amount of interdisciplinary skill sets and more holistic solutions to be successful. Among the many schools of thought that might lend methods to planning cross-functional collaborations, design offers methods that emphasize co-creating group norms, building upon each other’s strengths, seeing the big picture, and identifying a future vision. As you plan out your collaboration planning process, consider some of the methods below:
Ground Rules
With individuals coming together from different areas and specialties, be sure to select the right structure and expectations for participation.
Collaboration Planning
Provide clarity on how the effort will move forward, including the effort’s goals, participant roles, and how decisions are made.
Personal Dashboard
Allow individuals to map out their strengths and areas of opportunity so they may effectively contribute to the overall effort.
How Might We Statement
Convert your challenges into collaboration opportunities with statements you can ideate around as a group.
Ecosystem Map
Assess the stakeholders and forces influencing your team’s efforts and areas you will impact.
Headline Activity
Arrive at goal statements by articulating the accomplishment you hope will be ultimately celebrated.
Affinity Mapping
Once many ideas are proposed, build meaning by grouping by common traits and labeling by emergent themes.