Last updated on Jul 4, 2024

Your team is divided on project goals and deliverables. How do you ensure everyone is on the same page?

When a project begins, it's crucial for all team members to share a unified vision. However, differing opinions on project goals and deliverables can create a divide. As a management consultant, your challenge is to bridge this gap and align your team. By understanding the roots of disagreement and fostering an environment of open communication, you can guide your team toward consensus and ensure that everyone is working towards the same objectives.

1 Clarify Vision

To realign your team, start by revisiting the project's vision. This means organizing a meeting where you can clearly articulate the overarching goals and how each deliverable fits into the bigger picture. Encourage team members to voice their concerns and suggestions. This collaborative approach not only clarifies any misunderstandings but also reinforces the significance of each person's role in achieving the project's success.

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Luiz Henrique Barbosa

Consultor de Finanças & Gestão / Conselheiro Independente / Professor (MBA) / Potencializando as finanças, impulsionando os negócios
O principal ponto é dar clareza da visão sistêmica do projeto e dos entregáveis, para que todos estejam na mesma página. A partir disso, precisamos mostrar como cada entregável de cada consultor vai impactar nessa visão sistêmica. O que mais vejo são consultores sem a clareza necessária dos entregáveis do projeto com um todo.

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Abubakr Elzuber, PMP®

Management Consultant | Project Manager | Public Administration | Administrative Development | Institutional Reform | Public Policy | Public Sector
Usually, the reason behind conflicting goals and deliverables is that they might not been communicated effectively. It is important to share the agreed-upon project scope, objective and deliverables through different communication channels, to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Sharing these elements should be done at the early stages of the project to avoid this kind of conflict.
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2 Foster Dialogue

Open dialogue is the cornerstone of consensus-building. Facilitate sessions where team members can discuss their views on the project's direction. This should be a safe space where everyone feels heard and respected. Through active listening and mediation, you can help your team find common ground and agree on a unified set of goals and deliverables that resonate with everyone involved.

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Kerstin Aschhoff

New Work | Change | Agile | DE&I | always in for the unicorns 🦄
Ich empfehle agile Methoden zur Entscheidungsfindung. Je nach Wichtigkeit des Abstimmungsthemas sollte das Team entscheiden, welche Form der Abstimmung nötig ist. Sollte sich herausstellen, das mehr als das Sachthema hinter der Uneinigkeit steckt, bietet es sich an, in den Dialog zu gehen und durch aktives Zuhören herauszufinden, was die Gründe für den Widerstand sind.

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3 Define Roles

Clear role definition is essential to prevent overlap and confusion. Ensure that each team member understands their responsibilities and how their work contributes to the project's deliverables. This clarity prevents task duplication and fosters a sense of ownership, which is vital for maintaining motivation and focus on shared objectives.

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Jessica Stewart, MHA, MPH

Founder and CEO @ Good Stewart Consulting, LLC | Healthcare Operations and Growth Strategies
Schedule a dedicated team meeting to discuss the project goals and deliverables. Encourage open and honest communication about any concerns or disagreements. Actively listen to each team member's perspective. Ask clarifying questions and ensure everyone feels heard.
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4 Establish Milestones

Creating a roadmap with specific milestones is a practical way to keep everyone on track. These checkpoints serve as tangible targets that the team can aim for collectively. They also provide opportunities to assess progress and address any deviations from the project's goals, ensuring that all team members remain aligned throughout the project's lifecycle.

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Jessica Stewart, MHA, MPH

Founder and CEO @ Good Stewart Consulting, LLC | Healthcare Operations and Growth Strategies
Understanding the bigger purpose can help motivate and unify the team. Acknowledge and celebrate milestones achieved throughout the project. This helps maintain morale and keeps the team focused.
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5 Encourage Accountability

Accountability mechanisms help maintain alignment on project goals. By setting up regular check-ins and progress reports, you not only monitor the advancement of the project but also reinforce the importance of each team member's contributions. This system of accountability ensures that any misalignments are quickly identified and addressed.

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Luiz Henrique Barbosa

Consultor de Finanças & Gestão / Conselheiro Independente / Professor (MBA) / Potencializando as finanças, impulsionando os negócios
Se pudesse escolher um único item para garantir a execução eficaz de um planejamento, seriam os rituais de acompanhamento ou check-ins. Reuniões periódicas com agenda definida para acompanhar a evolução do projeto.

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6 Adapt Flexibly

Finally, be prepared to adapt your approach as the project evolves. Flexibility allows you to adjust goals and deliverables in response to new information or changing circumstances. By being open to change and communicating these shifts effectively, you can maintain team cohesion and ensure that everyone remains committed to a shared vision, even as it evolves.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Your team is divided on project goals and deliverables. How do you ensure everyone is on the same page?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Clarify Vision

2 Foster Dialogue

3 Define Roles

4 Establish Milestones

5 Encourage Accountability

6 Adapt Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Management Consulting

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Your team is divided on project goals and deliverables. How do you ensure everyone is on the same page?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Clarify Vision

2 Foster Dialogue

3 Define Roles

4 Establish Milestones

5 Encourage Accountability

6 Adapt Flexibly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Management Consulting

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