A cross-functional team, also known as a multidisciplinary team or interdisciplinary team, is a group of people with different functional expertise working towards a common goal. The team may include people from finance, marketing, operations, and human resources, among others. Cross-functional teams often function as self-directed teams assigned to a specific task that requires the input and expertise of numerous departments. Assigning a task to a team composed of multi-disciplinary individuals increases the level of creativity and establishes a common opinion. Each member offers an alternative perspective to the problem and potential solution to the task. Cross-functional teams promote innovation through a creative collaboration process.
Benefits of cross-functional teams include improved coordination across functional areas, increased innovation in product and process, and reduced cycle time. Bringing people together with different perspectives can improve problem-solving and lead to smarter, more sustainable decision-making. Cross-functional teams break through the “silos” of a traditional organizational structure so that the team can see the big picture. They can also anticipate hurdles earlier in the process because each department has input throughout the process, rather than a project moving from department to department.
However, some experts warn that cross-functional teams can limit the professional growth of individual members because they are focused on achieving the goals of a specific project. To prevent this, some organizations institute limited terms for group members, with members from the various departments rotating into and out of the team to prevent stagnation.
In summary, cross-functional teams are groups of people from different functional areas of an organization who collaborate to reach a stated objective. They can be used in organizations of all sizes and can be temporary or permanent. Cross-functional teams place less emphasis on the members specific roles within the organization and more emphasis on communication and working together to accomplish organizational goals.
