There’s a moment during every successful project when things come together, the team gels, and energy soars. It feels magical. The day-to-day work comes together to generate commitment, clarity, and momentum. Something new, surprising, and useful is created. It’s a beautiful thing!
If your organization is like mine, a lot of work gets done through teams and projects. Over the last 26 years, my colleagues and I at the Hubert Company have been honing and using a process we call the Co-Create model. This book describes the model and tells our story. We use the Co-Create model for all our large projects. Our employees participate in this work to improve the business—they are deeply engaged and committed to create a better future. The model establishes a framework from which team excellence can flourish.
Why Co-Create?
This model has been shown to provide:
• Excellent project execution—Co-Create is an integrated process that helps team members to (1) create focus on the project’s purpose and goals, (2) manage tasks, (3) build commitment, and (4) collaborative relationships.
• Change leadership—Co-Create uses proven change management and engagement principles (see Addendum C) to enable team members to cope with the fast pace of change and build agility into their work. The model provides project leaders a roadmap to help guide the team.
• Employee commitment—My belief is that commitment is the secret to high performance. When teams are highly committed they will do whatever is required to achieve success. It’s more important than project management tools or even having the optimal skill-set around the table. The question is can a project manager develop commitment intentionally? The answer to this is yes! High levels of commitment naturally grow out of the experience.
And finally we have no choice but to co-create. We are forever connecting and creating with others. Organizations exist to do what no individual can. So the choice is whether or not we co-create intentionally. The Co-Create model provides a path to help teams develop solutions that create value for all.
You will likely recognize some of the processes and tools included in the Co-Create model. We have pulled these tools from the recognized thought leaders to create the model. The combination and integration of these methods, with a key addition, is what makes this model unique and the results extraordinary.
Commitment Is Key to the Co-Create Model
Traditional project and change management techniques have taken the profession a long way. The current opportunity is to maximize the human element. We need to understand that the human journey as a project progresses and how to increase team member commitment. One of the key outcomes of using this model is the high level of employee commitment generated.
Comprehensive
Co-Create also integrates our individual and organizational goals and objectives as they play out in a team environment. It brings to the fore the idea that we are all working for something greater than ourselves. Each contribution makes a difference—it changes the world one thought and action at a time.
Who This Book Is for
I have written this book primarily for practitioners—project managers—team leaders and members—and organization development professionals who train and develop teams. I have also included important considerations and beneficial information for leaders who want to improve performance and engagement.
What’s Next?
In the coming pages I will review the Co-Create model. It contains four underlying big ideas used to generate engagement. The core of the model illustrates the project journey—it specifically depicts the task, team, and individual phases of project work and change.
The Co-Create model offers a way of working that creates high levels of commitment and excellent project outcomes. Our team members like using the model because it enables them to do their best work, experience meaning and purpose, participate, collaborate, and create a better organization. They make a difference.
Crafting and using the Co-Create model has changed my life and filled my work with purpose. I hope you and your teams apply the model and enjoy the same benefits of its use.