How do you update your cross-functional team vision in response to change?

A cross-functional team vision is a shared understanding of the team's purpose, goals, and values that guides its actions and decisions. It helps the team align its efforts, communicate effectively, and collaborate across functions and disciplines. However, a cross-functional team vision is not static. It needs to adapt to changing circumstances, customer needs, market trends, and organizational priorities. How do you update your cross-functional team vision in response to change? Here are some tips to help you.

1 Assess the current situation

Before you revise your cross-functional team vision, you need to evaluate the current state of the team and the environment. What are the main challenges and opportunities facing the team? How are the team members performing and feeling? How are the stakeholders and customers responding to the team's work? What are the feedback and data telling you? By assessing the current situation, you can identify the gaps, strengths, and areas for improvement that will inform your vision update.

Add your perspective

Jason Cohen

Senior Manager @ Amazon Ads | AdTech Solutions Architects
Report contribution
A cross-functional vision should be differentiated from a multi-function vision. Ask yourself, “by breaking down silos, what can we become that we couldn’t be before?” Could you become truly customer centric? Could you adopt a new technology across the business. Could you enable a new kind of reporting or unlocking skills for more parts of the organization?

Like
Ali Uren

Helping Purpose Led Brands Solve Brain Drain\ Connecting L & D & Project Delivery To Team Insights And Lessons Learnt \ Kiikstart Founder \Creator Of The Circular Workplace \ Transform Ambassador\ LinkedIn Top Voice
Report contribution
I always debrief on real and potential project gaps, threats and risks to help shape direction. Part of this is opening up truthful discussion around individual skill gaps that will impact our ability to deliver on the vision. And creating a plan together to fulfill these skill gaps. As part of this work I make time to understand the workplace reality of each member of the team. This includes how they are currently delivering their role and any challenges they face.

Like

2 Engage the team members

Updating your cross-functional team vision is not a solo task. It requires the input and buy-in of all the team members, regardless of their function or level. You need to engage the team members in a collaborative process of co-creating the vision, where they can share their perspectives, ideas, and concerns. You can use various methods, such as surveys, interviews, workshops, brainstorming sessions, or online tools, to solicit and collect their feedback. The more you involve the team members, the more they will feel valued, motivated, and committed to the vision.

Add your perspective

John MacAskill

Accelerating renewables one ☕ at a time | Offshore wind & supply chain expert | Establishing & growing businesses across the offshore wind value chain | BD & marketing expert | Industry Speaker
Report contribution
A collaborative team will be already continuously both monitoring and discussing change and the impacts of that change in their shared and individual missions. Engaging with your team on an issue of change, should not be like grabbing a steering wheel for a violent turn, you steer with many subtle movements of the wheel reacting to changes in the road and direction. So from one to ones, to team meetings, to quarterly deeper dives, the vision should be tested as the data changes. It is not a one time thing.

Like
Ali Uren

Helping Purpose Led Brands Solve Brain Drain\ Connecting L & D & Project Delivery To Team Insights And Lessons Learnt \ Kiikstart Founder \Creator Of The Circular Workplace \ Transform Ambassador\ LinkedIn Top Voice
Report contribution
I find where possible engaging in a one on one discussion with employees to gain advice and insights is helpful. Taking this action shows genuine care and that you see each employee as the individual they are.

Like

3 Define the desired outcomes

Once you have gathered the team members' feedback, you need to define the desired outcomes of the updated vision. What are the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that the team wants to achieve? How will the team measure its progress and success? How will the updated vision align with the organizational strategy and vision? How will the updated vision benefit the customers and stakeholders? By defining the desired outcomes, you can clarify the direction, scope, and value of the updated vision.

Add your perspective

4 Craft the vision statement

After you have defined the desired outcomes, you need to craft the vision statement that summarizes and communicates the updated vision. A vision statement is a concise, inspiring, and memorable sentence or phrase that captures the essence of the updated vision. It should reflect the team's purpose, values, and aspirations. It should also be clear, specific, and actionable. You can use words, images, metaphors, or stories to craft the vision statement. You can also test it with the team members and stakeholders to ensure that it resonates with them.

Add your perspective

5 Communicate and implement the updated vision

The final step is to communicate and implement the updated vision across the team and the organization. You need to share the updated vision statement and the rationale behind it with the team members, stakeholders, customers, and other relevant parties. You need to explain how the updated vision will affect the team's roles, responsibilities, processes, and deliverables. You also need to provide the necessary resources, support, and guidance to help the team execute the updated vision. You need to monitor and evaluate the team's performance and results against the updated vision and celebrate the achievements and milestones.

Add your perspective