Follow the guide below if you are starting up a new team or restructuring an existing team.

1. Identify what functions your team should have

What is the role of the team
What tasks will need to be undertaken
How will performance be measured?

2. Define the type of team you will need

How many people
What capabilities are required
Will a close team be needed?

3. Construct a vision of an ideal team in your head

What abilities will be needed
What mix of personalities
What blend of experience is desirable?

4. Analyse current team strengths and weaknesses

What are the skills, abilities and personality types of current members
What do you consider to be the development potential of current team members?

5. Identify the capability gap

What abilities are missing or insufficiently present
What personality types and/or team roles are missing or insufficiently present?

6. Build your team

How can you acquire missing capabilities
What leadership style is appropriate
What needs to be done to train and indoctrinate team members to your values and standards
How can you build a positive climate
What type and frequency of meetings are needed?

7. Establish team working

How can objectives be clarified and communicated
What are the priorities
Are there team blockages to be resolved
What needs to be done to ensure that team members feel satisfied and are developing their skills
What needs to be done to steer the team through the stages of team building?

8. Integrate with other teams

What teams should your team work with
How can common objectives be clarified
What can be done to improve collaboration?

9. Maintain the team

How can you diagnose current team effectiveness
Do you need to go off-site to take stock
How can success be celebrated?

10. Review performance regularly

What procedures do you have in place for reviewing performance?
How will these reviews take place?