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Part 2:Â Think Beyond Your FunctionÂ
2.1. Boundary spanning - connecting across functional lines
- High-performing teams proactively connect, coordinate information, and seek feedback from other functions, rather than focusing only on internal work (Ancona and Caldwell 1992).
Boundary spanning is the opposite behavior to silo mindset: proactively reaching out beyond your own functional boundary.
2.2. Shared mental models - a common understanding across functions
- Engineers find it hard to proactively coordinate because they don't know what metric another function is measured on.
- Well-coordinated teams share a common understanding of each other's tasks, roles, and goals, allowing them to anticipate each other's needs even without constant communication (Cannon-Bowers et al. 1993).
- Each function has its own set of metrics, so "local optimisation" is rational, not careless:
Understanding Other Functions’ KPIs
2.3. Systems thinking - a competency that must be deliberately trained
- Engineers need systems thinking to understand how their work and decisions affect other functions, such as the Shared Service Centre (SSC) and SCM, and the wider organisation (McCartney et al. 2021).
- One Company Mindset means prioritizing end-to-end value over the narrower interest of one's own shift or function.
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