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How do you foster collaboration between product teams and other departments for seamless operations?

Saikat Paul
Asana Head of Product OperationsDecember 19

An environment for effective collaboration requires continuous support and nurturing, all built on a foundation of trust and transparency 🌱

Trust and transparency

  • Shared Goals and KPIs: Align everyone on company-wide goals and show how each department can contribute to the bigger picture. This creates a sense of shared purpose and motivates collaborative efforts.

    • At Asana we call this the Pyramid of Clarity

  • Transparency in decision-making and information sharing: Be honest and forthright with decisions and status updates. Share rationale and options considered for decisions. Keep status updates public, whether on track or off. This fosters trust and engagement. 

  • Celebrate Shared Successes: Recognize and celebrate achievements that involve multiple teams. This reinforces the value of collaboration and builds trust between departments.

Clear agreements

  • Clear RACI: This prevents confusion and ensures accountability across departments.

  • Standardized Handoffs: Establish standardized processes for handoffs between teams, including documenting deliverables, timelines, and expectations. This minimizes friction and prevents delays.

  • Align on a source of truth: Invest in shared dashboards or drives that allow everyone to access the same information. This creates alignment on artifacts and reduces confusion.

Build bridges

  • Social Events and Activities: Encourage informal interaction through team-building activities or social events. This builds personal connections and strengthens interdepartmental relationships.

  • Spread the word: Highlight where collaboration practices are flourishing and experiment with replicating them. This creates a more grassroots process.

  • Feedback Loops: Regularly gather feedback from all departments on the effectiveness of collaboration efforts. This helps identify areas for improvement.

These are just some starting points. Successful collaboration is a continuous journey that requires consistent nurturing. Establish the foundation of trust and transparency and the rest will follow.

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