Team Sponsorship Methods Are Vital to Team Success

World Conference on Quality and Improvement vol. 52 - May 1998

Abstract: The effective team is multidisciplinary and has the support of management. Successful teamwork can improve the quality of life of the team members and other employees. Whether the team is charged to solve problems or to manage work, it needs commitment from management. Such commitment includes: sponsorship of project implementation; stimulation for change; and participation on the guidance team. Among the activities of the guidance team are: identification of project goals; selection of the team and its leader; communication of team interests throughout the organization; and providing the resources needed for implementation. The project selected for implementation should be tied to a key business issue, be visible, and have a significant effect on external customers. Once the project is selected and project management begins, the process improvement method consists of the Shewhart cycle of plan, do, check, and act. The 16 steps in process improvement methodology include: defining the subject process; determining key characteristics of the process; selecting a measurement method; collecting data; creating an improvement plan; piloting the improvements; and implementing the improvements. The team sponsor has a methodology that corresponds to these steps. The sponsorship methodology includes: requesting process flowcharts; supporting the selection of key characteristics; and providing resources for all team activities.

Keywords: Process improvement - Teams - Project management