What comes to mind when you think about an effective team?

You might picture a team that works seamlessly as a whole. Everyone brings unique talents and strengths to the table, no-one is playing politics or bickering, and there's just enough competitive spirit to bring out the best in everyone. Work gets done effectively, and everyone contributes to the team's goals.

It can be a challenge to reach this level of effectiveness if you're putting together a new team, or if you're developing an existing one. However, it's much easier if you have a plan in place. This article highlights a common-sense, step-by-step process for building and maintaining an effective team.

Step 1: Analyze and Plan

Whether you've been tasked with setting up a new team, or you're taking over an existing one, begin by defining the goal of your team. What is its ultimate purpose? What are your expectations? How will your team contribute to your organization's goals and mission? Then create a Team Charter to help clarify your team's objectives.

If you're in charge of an existing team, and you want to help it function more effectively, take our Team Effectiveness Assessment. This quiz will help you understand the areas that you need to work on.