Let\u2019s see what this process is all about and how you can implement it to ensure your next cross-functional project thrives.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Cross-functional](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Cross-functional-collaboration-1-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat is cross-functional collaboration?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cross-functional collaboration is the process of teams with different skill sets, expertise, and functions working together. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of collaboration can be deliberate, but it can also happen spontaneously. For example, a sales manager may ask devs about new feature updates so that they can update their pitches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many project goals also require cross-functional collaboration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of creating a website, for example. From the get-go, you need developers and designers working together, not to mention content, SEO, or any other teams that might be needed. So, if they aren\u2019t able to collaborate well, you\u2019ll get a website that\u2019s a mishmash of different ideas, probably barely functional, and disjointed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n Collaboration can grind to a halt without software to facilitate it. Try the best team collaboration software \u2014 Plaky by CAKE.com!<\/p>\n No one can argue against<\/em> collaboration \u2014 we all just take for granted that it\u2019s beneficial. And it is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the most important benefits of cross-functional collaboration to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Build a cross-functional workflow with Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Connecting teams that have never worked together before comes with its own share of hiccups. It\u2019s good to stay aware of the various types of project risks<\/a>, so we\u2019ve compiled some issues you might expect to run into \u2014 and a few ideas on how you could solve them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Communication is a key part of collaboration \u2014 when teams don\u2019t talk to each other, the whole project can fall apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In reality, people who work in different departments are just not used to communicating with each other. While it\u2019s often accidental, not malicious, a lack of communication can cause lots of issues, like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since your communication plan will depend on the communication habits your teams already have, you need to learn all about them to create a perfect mid-point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n But most of all, it\u2019s your job to be assertive in getting your teams to communicate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, odds are that your teams do<\/em> want to collaborate \u2014 they just haven\u2019t had to do it before.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Try real-time communication in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Working on a project where quality results are expected of you is stressful enough \u2014 the last thing you need is working with a bunch of people you don\u2019t know. That\u2019s when the stress can really get to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Couple this environment with teams who don\u2019t know each other, and it will often lead to a lack of trust between them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Departments who are used to working together are loyal to each other, so outsiders can feel unwelcome. This can easily lead to blaming others if quality is not met, or to a rise in working in silos<\/a> \u2014 a mindset where departments resist sharing information with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, this is all a means of avoiding the above-mentioned stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because you need to accommodate the loyalties these teams already hold, you need to start with something small. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have the teams work together on some smaller tasks and help them build their trust over time. Only after they\u2019re used to working together should you hand them a real challenge.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Like we mentioned, teams across an organization usually aren\u2019t used to collaborating cross-functionally. So, when you put them in a cross-functional environment, their habits (the ways in which they\u2019re used to communicating with their own team) may prevent them from collaborating with other teams effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This might seem minor \u2014 but if you leave it unchecked, your teams will stay coddled in these habits. So, they\u2019ll end up isolated anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, without proper communication in a cross-functional project, you\u2019ll end up with poor quality results, unmet milestones, missed deadlines, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some steps you can take to make sure teams are always ready to collaborate cross-functionally:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to take communication to the next level? Get Pumble for communication with<\/em> Plaky and Clockify for improved cross-functional work \u2014 all for the price of 1 tool!<\/p>\n As opposed to a lack of trust, which is more subtle, with poor cross-functional collaboration, your teams can end up in open conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is, again, because of the stress of a new environment. If you leave it unchecked, it will distance your teams even more, making communication much more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, a frustrated team may get demoralized, experience drops in productivity, and care less about their own responsibilities overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Facilitate a conversation between the conflicting parties, and if at all possible, avoid compromise, as that can lead to both sides feeling unsatisfied. Instead, make them work together on a third solution \u2014 a creative way to move things forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a conflict has already happened in your team, you need to react as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But, you can also avoid conflict altogether by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting your team hyped to collaborate is worthless without the means to do so, especially if you\u2019re dealing with cross-functional collaboration in remote teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without the right collaborative tool, team members can face missed messages, lost files, and unseen notifications. Plus, even when they try to collaborate, the wrong software can discourage them from doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually, you\u2019ll once again end up with missed deadlines, productivity drops \u2014 the whole band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to find a tool that\u2019ll work as a communication and team management tool in one. Some essential features you\u2019ll want to consider are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without the right tool, cross-functional teams can fall apart. Foster communication, collaboration, assign clear responsibilities \u2014 and track it all \u2014 in Plaky by CAKE.com.<\/p>\n If it\u2019s not broken, don\u2019t fix it \u2014 right? This is what most of your teams probably think about your current strategies, so any change can be difficult for them to approve of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, team members with resistance to change can slow down your acclimation process, and lead to all of the issues mentioned so far. Let it go unchecked, and you\u2019ll find yourself delaying project kickoff again and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The solution is similar to the previously mentioned ones \u2014 make changes gradually and take it one step at a time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s more, remember to listen to your teams. If there\u2019s an aspect of the change they don\u2019t like, it might be for good reason. It\u2019s on you to look into it and refine your strategies. Trust us \u2014 they\u2019ll be sure to appreciate it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n We know that collaboration skills are not easily measurable. Indeed, having someone tell you to \u201cjust communicate better\u201d<\/em> can feel frustrating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, let\u2019s keep collaboration skills in mind, but talk about some actionable practices for successful cross-functional collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One solution that always does the trick when improving collaboration is using project management software<\/a> (PM software). Before crafting a collaboration plan, set up a PM tool where teams can share updates about their work, talk to each other about specific tasks, and make sure that no one is isolated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a PM tool:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Project management tools are a fantastic option for remote teams practicing asynchronous communication. Learn more about this type of communication and its benefits below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Define why <\/em>you need your teams to collaborate. A good collaboration plan should include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, you can use these KPIs to track the success of your collaboration plan as the project goes. By keeping an eye on the results, <\/em>you can work out kinks as they appear.<\/p>\n\n\n Your team can\u2019t (and shouldn\u2019t) remember the responsibilities of every team member. Luckily, Plaky by CAKE.com can! Set clear roles and track task accountability with ease!<\/p>\n Since repetitive tasks can further frustrate and isolate your team, they are the opposite of what you\u2019re trying to achieve. So, get rid of them! Use modern tools to automate repetitive tasks<\/a> so that your team members can collaborate on things that actually <\/em>matter.<\/p>\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn how you can build and maintain efficient workflows with Plaky’s board automations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n An actual <\/em>way to improve communication is by making it more transparent. Basically, always focus on the why<\/em> of any decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to help your team understand the thought process behind them. Plus, a greater level of transparency will give them more peace of mind and make it easier for them to champion those decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n Enable team transparency with Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cross-functional collaboration isn\u2019t something you can smack into the middle of a project. Like with any worthwhile venture \u2014 you need to plan ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, we\u2019ve gathered the best practices for jumpstarting a cross-functional project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main struggle of cross-functional collaboration is team cohesion. Like we mentioned, it\u2019s easy for teams to ping-pong responsibility when project deliverables<\/a> (milestones in the completion of your project) and goals are not clearly set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, the first step is to ensure all project goals and deliverables are clearly defined<\/strong> \u2014 you want your teams to know exactly <\/em>what they\u2019re working toward and the steps they all need to take to get there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure to set clear responsibilities for all deliverables \u2014 so that you ensure accountability across the board. This means that the design team knows not just what they need to do, but what the devs, marketing, product, and all other teams need to do to lead the project to success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, this will strike a balance between the responsibilities of each department and the project priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Track deliverables in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Who do you need in your cross-functional project? You might need the whole department, or just a few select team members. You might want to put all cross-functional workers in one team, or keep them separated while collaborating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, which specific skills do these team members need to have? Have they worked with cross-functional partners before?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s good to have an experienced cross-collaborator in a team<\/strong> \u2014 this way, they can lead by example and help every other team member become a more effective collaborator in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, remember to create a diverse team<\/strong>. Different perspectives don\u2019t just come from different departments \u2014 they can also vary based on age, experience, or professional backgrounds. This diversity brings innovation, more knowledge to share, different perspectives on project issues, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you have team members, you need to assign their roles and responsibilities. You can do this with the RACI method, where you take every task or deliverable and decide who\u2019s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This will improve team cohesion \u2014 as everyone knows who to talk to and which function all other team members serve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, with a cross-functional RACI chart<\/a>, team members will know who to consult on a daily basis about issues, suggestions, etc. For example, a salesperson can consult a developer when a new feature launches in order to better understand it and include it in their sales pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n You need to set up a space for your teams to collaborate. However, a simple communication tool might not be enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To manage responsibilities, share files effectively, and set clear tasks, you need a project management tool that comes with all those functionalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Boost team collaboration with Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n After deciding on your PM tool of choice, you need to set up KPIs (key performance indicators)<\/a>. These will allow you to track the progress and health of your cross-functional teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luckily, in Plaky<\/a> by CAKE.com<\/a>, the summary row<\/a> makes tracking KPIs a walk in the park. There, you can see the progress or percentage of each field in an item group \u2014 basically, how close your tasks are to completion, how many are of a certain status, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n Finally, you need to get your team on the same page \u2014 however, you shouldn\u2019t just share the project plan and be done with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to set up an effective kickoff meeting<\/a> that\u2019ll ensure everyone\u2019s voice is heard so that collaboration flows from the get-go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To make sure the meeting is engaging, you should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If all goes right, after the kickoff meeting, you should have a cross-functional workforce that\u2019s eager to collaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leading a cross-functional team isn\u2019t easy \u2014 you have to navigate through different viewpoints and work habits from different team functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you think you have the chops for it? Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most important skills a cross-functional project manager should have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Totally saw this one coming, didn\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open communication is the #1 skill for project managers in a cross-functional setting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we mentioned, people with different professional backgrounds may have different perspectives. This can come with its fair share of challenges \u2014 so lead by example and foster transparent communication yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you create a culture of open communication, the teams won\u2019t feel restricted or unwelcome in sharing their thoughts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You want diverse insight to improve innovation and task planning, so open communication is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Say you walk up to your designer and ask them how a task is going. They reply: \u201cI\u2019m stuck, I need to find a way to counterbalance the negative space.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to fully know what your team\u2019s work looks like \u2014 otherwise, you run the risk of creating misunderstandings yourself.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you understand your team\u2019s work, you set responsibilities more accurately, your tasks are clearer, and you know exactly<\/em> how to align your teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you go about your work, how often do you think about your project’s mission or vision?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Me neither.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If team members aren\u2019t aware of what they’re working toward, their quality of work will drop. Their results might be technically fantastic \u2014 but they may not have a place to fit in your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a separate facet of communication to be able to make your team understand why<\/em> you\u2019re doing the work in your project. So, you need to show the meaning behind your decisions to your teams \u2014 they\u2019re bound to be more supportive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One aspect in leading a cross-functional team that often gets overlooked is making your team feel heard.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Without cross-functional collaboration, each team will only worry about their tasks from their own perspective. It makes total sense \u2014 they\u2019ll be thinking about the tasks they need to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, it\u2019s up to you to connect those dots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Essentially, to ensure efficient cross-functional collaboration, you need to act as a translator for your teams and get them to understand each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This will open up a path to improved communication between the teams themselves \u2014 not to mention that it will make ideas and productivity flow freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, even when you do<\/em> have the right skills \u2014 how can you showcase them to your cross-functional team?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some steps you can take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideally, your cross-functional collaboration will flow smoothly \u2014 but how can you be sure? <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can\u2019t be a guessing game, so you\u2019ll need specific metrics to measure its success, i.e., KPIs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the most important KPIs for cross-functional collaboration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, these KPIs will help you effectively report on the project\u2019s progress and answer key questions about it, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Track KPIs in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cross-functional collaboration can be tough to pull off \u2014 but when you do, you reap tremendous benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now\u2019s your chance to learn from real-life experts about how they overcame issues to create a perfect cross-functional environment in their projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want communication to flow in your teams, you must lead by example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is exactly the situation Vasilii Kiselev<\/a>, a skilled and experienced executive working in education, encountered while managing a cross-functional team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Plaky](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/default@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n\n\nTop 4 cross-functional collaboration benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Common cross-functional collaboration challenges + solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Communication issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Lack of trust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No cross-collaboration habits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Plaky](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/bundle@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n\n\nWorkplace conflict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Insufficient collaboration tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Comments](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Using-Plaky-comments-to-make-communication-more-transparent-1.png\")
![\"Plaky](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/landing-1@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n\n\nResistance to change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to improve cross-functional collaboration <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Use a project management tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Cross-functional-collaboration-in-Plaky-1.png\")
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Create a collaboration plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Person](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Setting-clear-roles-in-Plakys-person-field.png\")
![\"Plaky](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/landing-2@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n\n\n\nAutomate repetitive tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Board](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Simplifying-cross-functional-work-with-Plakys-automations.png\")
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Practice transparent communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Comments](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Using-Plakys-comments-to-clarify-tasks.png\")
A 5-point kickoff checklist for your cross-functional project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
#1 Define goals and deliverables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#2 Rally a cross-functional workforce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
#3 Assign clear roles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/RACI-chart.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n#4 Set up collaboration channels and KPIs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Summary](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Using-Plakys-summary-row-to-track-KPIs.png\")
#5 Hold a kickoff meeting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The skills you need to lead a cross-functional team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Open communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Understanding of technical skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vision casting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Active listening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Showcasing skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to measure cross-functional collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Real-world examples of successful cross team collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
#1 Stepping in for communication <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Vasilii](\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Vasilii-Kiselev-headshot.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n