When a project is already ongoing or a team is already working well together, then have a new team member join the team it can end up disruptive. If you plan well for it, it does not need to be disruptive.
So what do we do when a new team member joins?
Orientation
Plan well for it, there are several parts:
| No. | What | Responsible | When |
| 1. | General Company Orientation | HR | New Staff |
| 2. | Departmental Orientation & Role Orientation | Head of Dept | New Staff / New to the department |
| 3. | Project or Team specific orientation | PM / Team Lead | New team member |
| 4. | Introduction to clients, vendors & other contractors | PM / Team Lead | New team member |
| 5. | Integration into the team | PM / Team Lead | New team member |
| 6. | Roll specific orientation | PM / Team Lead | New team member |
From the 3rd column you can see who is responsible and you as Team Lead or Project Manager are responsible for No. 3. – 6. This does not mean you do the work necessarily yourself, but you ensure it is done and is done effectively.
Team Building
This is your time to get creative. You can turn the introduction to the team into a little team building activity where all team members share something personal about themselves as well as their role within the project / team. Do it in an informal setting, where you have tea / coffee, maybe some snacks and people can relax a bit. This particular session should NOT include any work related introduction. It is the team getting to know each other.
Team building can be fun little activities that do not require you to spend a lot of money.
In actual fact any activities that are competitive can divide teams instead of building them. The loosing team will always have one person they blame.
Having your team work on something fun, without having to win over another team, will pull them closer together and get to know each other much more. No need for a costly outing, if you have no budget. Just schedule some time and do it during a team meeting.
Even watching a game together or going to a concert will build your team. Main aim is for the team to get to know you and each other in an informal surrounding away from work.
Work Orientation
The orientation for the actual job the new team member will be doing, needs to be planned well. Decide who will do what, who will be the buddy and who will show them what the rest of the team does. A buddy is a team member, who helps the new team member through the first 2-3 months. The person they can ask all the questions, the one who checks on them etc. It is also essential that the new team member gets to know what the entire team does so that they know where they fall within the system. Swim Lane Flowcharts can draw a picture of it, but having team members explain what they do and how it fits into the bigger picture makes it more practical and relatable.
Orientation is a very important phase for a new team member and sets him / her up for success. You can turn it into a team building activity and make it fun for lasting effect