Define teams and state the types of teams.
A team is a small group with complementary skills who hold themselves mutually accountable for a common purpose, goal and approach. Teams unlike groups are not formed on a random basis abut are carefully chosen by management.
Types of teams Advice teams
These are created to broaden the information base for managerial decision making e.g. quality circles. They are created to facilitate suggestions for improvement from volunteer production or serves workers. They have low degree of specialisation, very little coordination and is done in discretion time.
Production teams
These are teams that are set up to perform day to day operations. They are involved in the production of goods and services. There is low specialization and high levels of coordination because the activities of one team affect activities of the other team (high dependence).
Project teams
These are teams that require problem solving skills and need for creativity, also the need to apply more specialized knowledge and they thrive on high levels of coordination. Such teams are mostly cross functional teams.
Action teams
Action teams must exhibit peak performance on demand. They also demand high levels of specialisation and coordination e.g. Surgery teams, labour negotiating teams etc
Virtual teams
These are teams that use computer technology to link physically dispersed members in order to achieve a common goal.
