IGT Tool 2: Intergenerational Project- Or Workforce Teams

IGT Tool 2: Intergenerational Project- or Workforce Teams This tool is meant to be used by managers and facilitators to establish and work with multigenerational project teams. It answers the question, “How can the organisation implement age diverse project teams in order to capitalize on the unique expertise and experience of the different generations?” It is meant to be used as a guide and can be adjusted to different contexts as needed. What is it? A multigenerational project-or workforce team can be created to consciously utilize the unique expertise from different generations. One of the criteria in selecting the team members, is age diversity to facilitate, - and benefit from, intergenerational learning. When can you When the organisation wants or needs to increase the use it? effectiveness of a project by capitalizing on different generations working together toward a common goal. When the nature of a project will benefit from the experience and skills unique to different generations, it is important to select participants from various generations for the team. To use as a pilot before implementing mixed age teams throughout the entire organisation. In what context? In organisations where expert knowledge based on long experience will be leaving due to retirement or other reasons. When a project can benefit from a combination the knowledge and experience of both older and younger employees. In a situation in which more age diversity in regular teams is difficult to realize, but easier to implement in the formation of a (temporary) project team. To help what There does not necessarily need to be a problem; working with problem? multigenerational project teams is mostly a way in which organisation can optimize the collaboration of generations working together. In some cases age diverse project teams can also reduce tension and common stereotypes that one generation may have about another generation. What does the Working with multigenerational project teams facilitates the tool achieve? exchange of knowledge between young and old in a team, thus creating a more well-rounded, diversified result of a project. Therefore it is a way to facilitate competence development of both younger and older employees and can contribute to innovation processes within the organisation. By forming multigenerational teams, the organisation can capitalize on the strengths of different employees, rather than their differences. How does the Intergenerational project teams facilitate the exchange of tool achieve its knowledge between the “older and wiser” and the “new insights results? and tech savvy of the younger”. Participation is a mixed age project team will encourage intergenerational communication and working relationships throughout the organisation, as well as weaken generational stereotypes; an outcome that can be leveraged for future projects within the company. Need more “Workbook Generations in the Workplace” – Engaging the information? Best Talent of All Ages., MetLife Mature Market Institute. Available at http://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/mmi/publications/studies/mmi -workbook-generations-workplace.pdf [email protected]

1 Using the tool: 1.1 Requirements: A management team which is aware and committed to working with intergenerational project- or workforce teams. They are not only actively involved with creating the team and selecting the team members, but also facilitate regular debriefing sessions. The project team leader needs to be aware of the intergenerational character of the team and needs to have the skills to create an atmosphere in which the contribution of each generation is valued and needed to achieve a common goal. Depending on the nature of the project team: 6-10 participants. Regular meetings during the course of the project (which can vary from for example 4 weeks to 3 months or even several years). 1.2 Implementation: Create small groups of employees from different generations (maximum of 10 members), to work together on a project or task force. Ideally each team would include an individual from each generation. The project leader needs to emphasize and monitor that the contribution of each generation in the form of ideas, skills, knowledge and stories are valuable and treated with mutual respect. The focus is the team is on company goals through collaboration within the context of the project team. Make sure that all employees have a shared understanding of the project. At the start of the project each employees is asked to write down and share their respective strengths around the tasks needed to complete the project. Encourage the team to assign tasks according to the employee’s self-defined strengths. Make sure that everyone in the team is aware that the goal of a multigenerational project team is an “increased understanding of and respect for one another’s talents and expertise- an outcome that can be leveraged for future projects within the company” (Workbook Generations in the workplace). In order to implement intergenerational teams successfully, it is important for the organisation to monitor whether the team members are working together effectively and the project is moving forward as planned. Therefore debriefing sessions should be scheduled about one-third and two-third of the way through the expected timeline for completion.

2 Critical Success Factors Commitment from management to facilitate intergenerational learning in project teams is crucial when implementing multigenerational workforce teams. A project team leader who has the skills to create an atmosphere in which the contribution of each generation is valued and needed to achieve a common goal. Regular debriefing sessions, facilitated by management. Ideally a member of the management team is present to demonstrate the involvement of the senior management. 3 Evaluation For evaluating this workshop use IGT Tool 9 Evaluation form_On the Job Learning Workshop In the training pack you can find the underlying principles behind the evaluations as well as instructions for using the forms themselves.