My project team is about to begin a large and complex software development project. In order to foster rapport and teamwork, I'd like to schedule a team offsite. The goal of the offsite wouldn't be to discuss the project. Rather, the focus would be on bonding and strengthening relationships.
I've got a couple of ideas for the agenda, but wanted to solicit feedback from others.
Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks, Nathan Saving Changes...
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Michael WoodProject Manager / Business Analyst / Business Process Improvement Guru| Independent ContractorGig Harbor, Wa, United States
Touchy Feely is good but best that you foster a sense of overcoming a common objective. Nothing brings a team together like a sense of purpose and success. Saving Changes...
Michael BrownProject Manager| JPMorganChaseDeerfield, Il, United States
Get hold of a book called "The Big Book of Team Building Games" - you'll have enough there to keep you busy for days! Saving Changes...
I agree with Mr. Wood, touchy-feely is ok, but don't overrate it - particularly since you've got only a single day to create this bonded/strengthened team. (Call me cold-hearted, but I don't "bond" with anybody in a day). Trust and respect take time to build.
Whether I'm a team member or a Project Manager, I prefer focusing on the needs of the project and the work styles and preferences of the team members. I like to know from the 'get-go' how we're going to structure ourselves, how we're going to communicate, how frequently we'll meet, what touch-stones we're using to keep us on track, etc. I also like to know what my Project Manager's expectations are (or if I'm the PM, I let my team know what my expectations are). These are things that the team can set/determine together.
"Outward-bound"-like exercises and free falls from a tree are fun, but I can't say that they do a lot for the team dynamics once we're in the throws of the project and the 'stuff' hits the fan.
I don't ever remember resolving a heated project issue/debate by reminding my team mate 'but I caught you when they fell from that tree in the woods'..... :) Saving Changes...
I agree with Mr. Wood, touchy-feely is ok, but don't overrate it - particularly since you've got only a single day to create this bonded/strengthened team. (Call me cold-hearted, but I don't "bond" with anybody in a day). Trust and respect take time to build.
Whether I'm a team member or a Project Manager, I prefer focusing on the needs of the project and the work styles and preferences of the team members. I like to know from the 'get-go' how we're going to structure ourselves, how we're going to communicate, how frequently we'll meet, what touch-stones we're using to keep us on track, etc. I also like to know what my Project Manager's expectations are (or if I'm the PM, I let my team know what my expectations are). These are things that the team can set/determine together.
"Outward-bound"-like exercises and free falls from a tree are fun, but I can't say that they do a lot for the team dynamics once we're in the throws of the project and the 'stuff' hits the fan.
I don't ever remember resolving a heated project issue/debate by reminding my team mate 'but I caught you when you fell from that tree in the woods'..... :) Saving Changes...
What would engender more team-ness and togetherness than coming together to work out problems associated with the task at hand?
Rather than wasting time playing games, I would use the offsite to introduce simple new problem-solving skills that would help to logically deal with current issues and feared risks so that the team can return to a clean(er) slate and carry on their individual contributions to the project.
