Enhancing Productivity & Communication with Team Members

3 min readAug 5, 2023

The Power of a Ways of Working (WoW) Document

In today’s dynamic and fast-paced professional environments, effective communication and streamlined processes are crucial for maximizing productivity. One valuable tool I have found to facilitate these objectives is a “Ways of Working” (WoW) document. This living document shared between team members and their managers, serves as a centralized hub for open questions, upcoming time off, and other essential details. By harnessing the potential of a WoW document, teams can enhance clarity, prioritize questions and use of time, and promote better communication.

A laptop with a document open on the screen sits on a table

Centralizing Information & Prioritizing Questions

A primary benefit of implementing a WoW document is consolidating information into a single, accessible source. Unlike the instantaneous nature of communication platforms like Slack, a WoW document offers a context-rich environment where open questions can reside. This context is invaluable as it allows for a clear understanding of the question’s priority, eliminating the risk of questions getting lost in the shuffle of day-to-day conversations. The potential frustration stemming from unanswered questions lost text conversations is lessened, fostering a more positive and efficient work atmosphere.

Reducing Managerial Distractions

The WoW document also serves as a strategic approach to minimize managerial distractions. When questions arise, managers are often drawn away from their core responsibilities to provide immediate responses. This not only disrupts their workflow but may also hinder the quality of their decision-making. With the WoW document in place, managers can address questions during scheduled one-on-one meetings or asynchronously, optimizing their time allocation and ensuring each question receives the attention it deserves.

A team member sits at a desk working on a desktop computer

Implementing the WoW Document

Upon joining the team, employees are introduced to the WoW document concept and provided with a template. The document logs open questions, allowing team members to add, prioritize, and refine their queries and potentially find solutions independently. While high-priority questions can still be directly communicated during the regular day-to-day workflow, the WoW document streamlines the process, promoting proactive problem-solving.

A team member and manager talk at a desk in an office

Harnessing Insights & Continuous Improvement

Beyond its immediate benefits, the WoW document offers a location for knowledge retention. Responses to questions, along with their summaries, are archived by week at the bottom of the document. This repository of insights becomes a valuable resource for referencing past discussions and responses.

Conclusion

It is important to embrace tools that enhance communication, prioritize work, and improve collaboration. A Ways of Working (WoW) document provides a structured platform for managing questions, facilitating informed conversations, and fostering a culture of efficiency. Utilizing a WoW document displays a commitment to effective communication and culture between managers and team members.

The images used in this article were created using MidJourney