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Collaborative work

Collaborative work, also known as workplace collaboration, refers to the practice of multiple individuals or work groups working together in a coordinated and effective manner to achieve a common goal or solve a problem. It's an approach where team members share skills, knowledge, and resources to maximize productivity and results.

Here are some of the key elements of collaborative work:

  • Open communication: Collaborative work is based on transparent and open communication between team members. This may involve regular meetings, online discussions, email exchanges, phone calls, etc.
  • Sharing knowledge: Team members share skills, experiences, and knowledge to solve problems or achieve goals. This may include cross-training, creating shared knowledge bases, etc.
  • Task coordination: Team members work together to distribute tasks, set priorities, and ensure that each member contributes appropriately to the achievement of the common goal.
  • Collaboration tools: Collaborative work is often facilitated by the use of tools and technologies, such as project management platforms, instant messaging tools, shared cloud storage, virtual whiteboards, etc.
  • Flexibility: Collaborative teams are often flexible in how they approach problems. They can adjust their approach according to the changing needs of the project or situation.
  • Common goals: Collaborative work is focused on achieving common goals or results rather than individual achievements.
  • Problem solving: Collaborative teams are often well equipped to solve complex problems because they can take advantage of the varied knowledge and skills of their members.

Collaborative work can be done within a team within a company, between different teams, or even between partner organizations. It has become increasingly important in the age of globalization and technology, as it allows individuals and businesses to take advantage of globally available resources and skills to achieve common goals.

--> Read also our article on why to set up a collaborative workspace in your offices