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

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.