What are the characteristics of a self directed team?

Team determines own goals and determines how to best to accomplish them.

Creates environment of high innovation, commitment, and motivation in team members.

Team members need additional training in decision making, resolving conflicts, and advanced problem solving techniques.

Can be high cost since it is time consuming to build team and conflict will occur.

Less time consuming for leader, but is harder to track progress and verify team is going in correct direction.

Requires a system that provides two-way communication of corporate strategy between leaders and their teams.

Teams can reduce cycle time because they solve any work problems as they arise and make informed decisions on how to proceed.