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5.3.1 Self-Managed Teams

(e.g. self-directed teams and semi-autonomous work groups)

Self-managed teams are 'empowered' by management with the authority to 'own' the decision-making and responsibility for a given task or process outcome. Generally, these teams are formed from 5 to 18 members who have all management and leadership roles allocated to an individual or members within the team. As these teams develop, they assume more control over problem solving and responsibility for task completion. While job titles may vary and authority may shift between team members, this does not mean they don't need managers, leaders or corporate direction. As with all teams they must still be the means to organise work to achieve improved company competitiveness (in terms of cost, timeliness, customer satisfaction, overall quality). These types of teams were initiated in Scandinavian countries and Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They are now very common in manufacturing and communications companies across the globe.

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