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Collaboration is now more important than ever before. Product development teams will see exponential success using best practices and innovative cloud collaboration software like Autodesk Fusion.

As the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work. This common phrase rings true now more than ever before, as collaboration is a key component of success, especially in a digitally-focused age. Projects rarely go from ideation to completion with only one member of the team. Someone somewhere must inspect your design and provide ample feedback for it to become a success. 

With the implementation of digital assets like cloud software (Fusion 360), design and manufacturing teams can work asynchronously from their homes, offices, or even a deserted island. All of which is possible with a simple internet connection.

Improving collaboration

Successful collaboration doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye; it takes preparation and determination, and it all begins with a team. Teams can utilize collaborative best practices to get an idea of how to improve their team dynamics. Questions you may want to ask yourself:

• Is your team diverse enough? 
• Do you have people outside your own background/experiences?
• Do you communicate well? 
• Is there friction between team members, and how can it be resolved?

A cohesive team is a successful team. Regardless of whether you are the team lead, you should evaluate yourself and identify what works and what doesn’t.

Collaboration best practices

Another step to improve team collaboration is to follow the rest of the best practices. The remaining steps are as follows:

• Set measurable goals and deliver
• Select the right design tools for the job
• Write comprehensive documentation to avoid confusion
• Provide professional and unbiased feedback
• Identify roadblocks and work towards solutions

Setting goals helps the team understand what is expected and how they must transition from one task to the next. An organized timeline is a very effective motivator for team members who may not operate well under disarray. In other words, everything should be transparent, clearly communicated, and documented for proper visibility.

Once these steps are established, you can work with your team to provide unbiased and applicable feedback to their tasks. This also includes discussing roadblocks that could potentially prevent you from completing your tasks. Again, this diverts back to transparency and visibility. A team works better if everyone is on the same page.

Why is collaboration important?

A cohesive design and manufacturing team with impeccable collaborative skills will have fewer issues on the road to success than a team without. Collaboration is essential to individual team members because it fosters a respectful and easy relationship, making it easier to meet deadlines and expectations. Teamwork is vital to the company and stakeholders because it’s their dime. They save time, money, and resources when their teams work together internally and externally. Everyone is pursuing the same goal and will reach it much faster if they work together.

Autodesk Fusion is the first and only integrated cloud CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB software platform of its kind that includes collaboration and data management tools. Start connecting your teams, communicating in real-time, and managing projects with global collaboration.

Does Autodesk Fusion have real-time collaboration?

Yes! Fusion allows you to connect teams, communicate in real time, and manage product development projects with global collaboration.