8 Types Of Management Teams (Plus Tips For Success)

There are many types of teams you can find in a work setting depending on the type of industry you work in, the size of your business or the company’s preferences on teams in general. If you’re currently in a management position or are interested in becoming one, consider learning more about the different types of teams you can be a part of or manage. In this article, we discuss what a management team is and provide eight types of management teams you can find in the workplace.

What is a management team?

A management team is a group of individuals who work together in a company and collaborate to achieve a common goal. The supervisor of the team usually creates a list of tasks for each member to work on to complete the team’s objective. Although not every member of the team may have the same tasks to complete, the team’s overall goal is usually the same. Some management teams work within one department, while employers create other teams to function between departments. In addition, some have more than one supervisor and others work autonomously without one.

8 types of management teams

Here is a list of eight types of management teams you may see in the workplace:

1. Functional

A functional team, also known as an operational team, is the most common type found in an office setting. Generally, an office has multiple functional teams with a supervisor responsible for the people on their team. Accounting, marketing and human resources are all examples of functional teams you can find in an office. Members in this type of team may have different responsibilities, but all perform the same function of the department, such as finance or sales.

2. Cross-functional

Cross-functional teams, or inter-working teams, comprise individuals from different departments. These teams come together with the help of a supervisor to complete specific tasks that require knowledge in each of their fields of expertise. Cross-functional teams are useful when they’re completing a project that involves varying departments for it to be successful. Team members need to remember that each of them is there because of their experience and particular strengths, so it can be beneficial to collaborate and use each of their abilities to produce the best outcome for the team’s intended purpose.

3. Virtual

With more individuals working from home, virtual teams have become increasingly popular. They comprise individuals working from different locations who use video chats and collaborative tools to work toward a common goal. Some virtual teams include people who work from home, while other members of the group are still in the office but meet with the rest of the team virtually. Virtual teams can be functional or cross-functional depending on the purpose of the team.

It can be helpful to meet with your virtual team weekly to ensure everyone is in agreement about what tasks they’re working on and possible upcoming deadlines. In addition, it’s helpful for teams who work from a place other than the office to be involved in the company culture when possible so they feel a sense of connection with other employees despite not being in the physical location with their coworkers.

4. Self-managed

A self-managed team is a group of employees that take responsibility for their work through peer collaboration without the help of a manager. They may have different daily objectives, but their individual tasks align to form a shared goal. Many small businesses or startup companies begin with this team model. People in a self-managed team benefit from being able to take full ownership of their work and are generally very self-motivated.

5. Matrix

A matrix team occurs when a team has more than one supervisor. This type of team is more popularly used in businesses that share employees across different functions of the organization. It can be useful when creating a new project because the project manager can choose employees who perform different functions in the organization and bring them together on their team to work toward the common goal of completing the project. The employee then has two supervisors—the direct supervisor of their department and the project manager they’re working for on the project.

6. Contract

Contract teams are temporary teams that employers bring in on contract for the completion of a project. Members of a contract team are usually highly skilled in their field and come in to complete one aspect of an upcoming project. Once they’ve completed their portion, their contract ends and their work is no longer required.

7. Taskforce

A task force team is a group of employees used for investigating or solving a specific challenge in the workplace. Supervisors usually form this team when a specific event has occurred so that they can discuss options to improve the issue. The objective of the task force is to offer solutions and to create preventative measures for potential challenges. Types of issues that a task force may handle include bullying, improving employee training or increasing customer sales. Once they’ve found a solution, the team disbands until they’re needed again.

8. Executive management

An executive management team is the highest level of management within an organization. It comprises executives in a company who help the president and CEO make important decisions for the company’s benefit. The individuals in this team discuss ways to improve the financial security of their company as well as work toward ways to develop it internally. They set actionable steps for achieving the company’s goals and motivate those around them, such as supervisors and other employees.

Tips to produce a successful team

Consider using some of these tips to help create an effective and successful team:

• Set team goals. Try to set timelines and goals with your team that can help everyone keep track of their progress individually and as a unit. It can help them hold themselves and one another accountable in order to complete the goals successfully.

• Foster a creative environment. Provide your team with the freedom to come up with new ideas in an atmosphere that appreciates their input and feedback. Promoting a creative environment can help team members come up with innovative ideas and provide them with the security they need to take risks.

• Provide opportunities to visualize ideas. Many people understand concepts more easily when there’s a visual aid to help them picture the idea more completely. When introducing a new project, consider using graphs or presentations and allowing them the same opportunity if they’re in the position to share.

• Find a common form of communication. To promote effective collaboration, consider choosing one method of online communication that your entire team can use such as the same online messaging service. It’s easier to communicate using technology when everyone is on the same platform.

• Establish strong leadership. One method of establishing strong leadership is by building loyal and trusting relationships with your team members. Try to be involved in their day-to-day activities and make yourself available to them if they have questions or need guidance on a task.

I hope you find this article helpful.