Importance of Workgroup
A workgroup is defined as two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who work together to accomplish common goals. The following are the importance of the workgroup in the organization.
Collective Goal Setting
In a workgroup, there is a system setting goals collectively. The group’s top management welcomes members to the planning, goal-setting, and execution phases.
Every member of the group gathers for the organizational goal-setting session, where they decide on shared objectives. It facilitates the effective execution of the plans in practice.
Mutual Trust
Mutual trust and value for each other are important parts of the workgroup. Members of the groups are heterogeneous and have expertise in certain functional areas. They are interdependent and complementary to each other. They execute assigned jobs through mutual support.
Effective Communication
Workgroup emphasizes two-way communication. There is a procedure in place for the manager and group members to share information prior to making any decision.
In a similar way, group members share information frequently to resolve operational issues. It helps the organization run more efficiently.
Read Also: Characteristics of a Group
Decision By Understanding
Managers invite subordinates to participate in the decision-making process. Participants can provide views, opinions, ideas, information, suggestions, etc. in the course of decision-making. The final decision is taken through mutual consent among all members. It helps to make rational decisions.
Complementary Skills
A group is formed through a small number of individuals with complementary skills. They are experts in a certain area of knowledge. They are interdependent on each other. They provide support to each other in team performance. It facilitates to development of competitive advantages for the organization.
Flexibility in Operation
Workgroup emphasizes flexibility in operation. Group structure and members can be changed on the basis of the requirements of the job. A new group can be formed by accumulating members having diversified knowledge. They can adapt organizational performance on the basis of the changing environment of business.
Self-Directing
A group is self-directing, autonomous, and self-managing. There is little hierarchy and rules followed by the group members. A group is formed for a specific job. Group members set objectives, prepare plans and policies, develop strategies, and implement them immediately. The top-level manager only supervises and coordinates group performance.
Read Next: Stages of Group Formation