Why We Need Cross-Functional Teams

Functions are optimised for efficiency. But the efficiency of each function does not translate to the efficiency of the system. You would think that if each function is becoming more efficient, then how can it slow down the system? Backlogs.

The other big challenge is trying to build something new when you're not quite sure what you need to build (which is pretty much all software products, until you get customer feedback). The rigid processes and strict handovers lock in a scope before you've had time to validate it.

This is why most products fail to deliver the expected benefit. But it's not the people on the teams - they're doing exactly what they're supposed to do. The problem is that functional team structures work great when we know what to build, and they don't perform when we have uncertainty. That's why we need cross-functional teams.

This Week’s Updates

Enabling the Team

Why We Need Cross-Functional Teams by Rory Madden
In industries characterised by rapid change, rigid silos create bottlenecks and hinder adaptability. Cross-functional teams offer a way to overcome these challenges, but implementing them effectively requires significant shifts in mindset and structure.

The Politics Of Pilot Team by Marty Cagan
Pilot teams are often used to showcase new ways of working, but they can trigger resentment and politics across the wider organisation. Success depends on clear communication, transparency, and pathways for scaling practices beyond the pilot.

Product Direction

The Wicked "Big Picture" Loop by John Cutler
Big-picture strategy often collapses under the weight of complexity, creating loops where teams chase clarity but get stuck in ambiguity. Recognising these wicked loops helps leaders balance vision with adaptability and avoid false certainty.

Why Your OKRs Are Broken by Martin Eriksson
Most OKRs fail because they’re treated as task lists rather than tools for focus and alignment. Fixing them means defining outcomes, connecting them to strategy, and maintaining regular reviews to adapt as reality shifts.

Continuous Research

When Are You Done With Product Discovery? by Tim Herbig
Discovery doesn’t end with a set number of interviews or tests, it ends when teams reach informed conviction. That point can mean moving forward, pivoting, or committing to build, with the understanding that discovery continues as new evidence emerges.

Product Discovery In Reality by Itamar Gilad
Discovery isn’t a fuzzy or optional phase, it’s a disciplined process for reducing uncertainty. Teams that treat discovery as a real, measurable activity make better decisions, waste less effort, and build products that solve actual problems.

Continuous Design

The Psychology Behind Highly Effective Landing Pages by Growth Design
Break down the psychological principles that influence landing page performance, from attention and perception to trust and motivation. Applying these patterns helps teams design pages that convert more effectively.

Why UX Designers Should Care About Model Context Protocol by Erik Fadiman
Model Context Protocol (MCP) defines how AI models access and use external tools and data. For designers, understanding MCP is key to shaping interactions that are transparent, trustworthy, and aligned with user needs.

Continuous Development

Do Developers Need To Think Less With AI? by Nik Malykhin
AI is changing how developers approach problem-solving, automating tasks that once demanded deep technical reasoning. The challenge is finding the balance between leveraging automation and retaining critical thinking to avoid shallow, error-prone solutions.

Navigating The Shift From Speed To Velocity by Andrew Zigler
AI is transforming software delivery from simply moving faster to delivering smarter. The focus is shifting from speed metrics to true velocity; measuring progress through quality, flow efficiency, and impact on business outcomes.

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Global Product Community Week Is Here!

Sign-Up Last-Minute To Join Us Online This Week

Don’t miss your chance to join our online Global Product Community Week sessions happening this week! Some talks might also include the first confirmed speakers for UXDX in May next year…

Tonight in London, hear AJ King and Darcie Gomer share candid stories about navigating careers in UX research in “The Human Side of UX Research”. Tomorrow in Dublin, we will explore how Product Marketing and UX testing shape product growth, while our NYC sessions feature discussions on AI-driven product building, leadership in uncertain times, and mastering presence.

Spaces in-person are almost full, but online registrations are free! Sign up now to secure your access to these sessions: Book your FREE tickets here.

FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS 

Check out more upcoming community events 

Video Of The Week
Hiring Beyond 2025: Breaking the Algorithm,
Beating the Bots, and Building Better Teams

Get more insights, also from a recruiting point of view by the panel given at EMEA 2025 on the main stage. AJ King (Houseful), Marine Palamutyan (DocuSign), and Mihaela Draghici (Volkswagen Digital Solutions) unpack the future of hiring in a world where algorithms filter CVs before humans do.

From the pitfalls of LinkedIn Easy Apply to the importance of mentorship, they reveal how personal connections, thoughtful assessments, and structured onboarding can build stronger teams. If you are currently hiring or applying, this could be a great session to watch. Check out the full panel discussion here:

The Results of Last Week’s Poll

The question: Which do you think is the biggest barrier to implementing cross-functional teams in large organizations?

Last week’s poll asked about the biggest barriers to implementing cross-functional teams in large organizations. The results highlight that organizational structure is the most commonly cited challenge (35%), followed by technical complexity (24%) and cultural resistance (23%). Financial accounting rules and other factors were far less frequently voted for.

These results aren’t surprising as building cross-functional teams isn’t just a matter of assembling the right people. It requires careful alignment of reporting lines, decision-making authority, and team incentives. Without this, even the most talented teams can struggle to collaborate effectively.

If you’re looking to overcome barriers and create truly empowered, aligned teams, my “From a Team of Functions to a Cross-Functional Team” course in Dublin tomorrow offers practical frameworks and hands-on strategies to help large organizations make cross-functional teams work in practice. Last chance to sign up!