workgroup

A workgroup is a small collection of people assembled within an organization to accomplish a defined task or set of tasks. Unlike a formal project team, a workgroup typically emphasizes coordination of activities and information sharing rather than a single, shared line of authority. Members are usually drawn from relevant functions and disciplines, and the group operates with a common objective and defined scope. Typical sizes range from three to twelve participants.

Workgroups may be cross-functional or functionally specialized and are often led by a facilitator or coordinator rather than a formal manager. A clear charter or terms of reference, including purpose, membership, deliverables, milestones, decision rights, and meeting cadence, helps establish accountability. Roles may include a chair, subject matter experts, and support staff, with decisions often reaching consensus or being delegated to a designated owner.

Workgroups are usually time-bound or task-focused, dissolving after the objective is achieved or transitioning to another structure if ongoing coordination is needed. They frequently interact with other units, report progress through concise updates, and use collaborative tools to share documents and track actions. In computing contexts, 'workgroup' can refer to a peer-to-peer network grouping of computers, as in Windows workgroups, where each computer maintains its own accounts.

Benefits of workgroups include rapid decision-making, flexibility, and focused expertise. Common challenges are ambiguity about authority, potential duplication of effort, and uneven participation. Effective practice emphasizes a clear charter, defined deliverables, regular check-ins, and documentation of decisions to sustain alignment. See also: team, committee, task force.