What Are Common Collaboration Problems?

What Are Common Collaboration Problems?

When teams collaborate well, it can increase trust and improve efficiency in reaching solutions for a common goal. But when teams run into collaboration problems, frustration can arise. Understanding common collaboration problems can help teams avoid them and work together more effectively to solve issues and launch projects. 

Some of the challenges of collaborative working can include the following: 

• Communication issues: Communication is essential for effective collaboration within or between teams. Communication can become blocked when team members don’t feel comfortable expressing opinions or thoughts with the people they’re collaborating with. Alternatively, when teams don’t have a single avenue for communicating with each other, they’re unlikely to be able to communicate effectively. 
• Unclear goals: Goals should be clearly outlined at the start of every collaborative work session or project, so every team member understands the main objectives of working together. There should also be definitive ways to measure progress toward these goals so the collaborative work group can ensure they are all moving toward the same finish line. 
• Low productivity: Collaborative work groups will need to set out certain methods of working to ensure they don’t waste time. For example, communicating via a work management platform or instant messaging service can cut down on cumbersome email chains that distract team members from the real work. 

Being aware of these common collaboration problems from the outset can help your team avoid them as they work toward a collective goal.