| Teambuilding is an essential part of any training programme. The National Audit Department, Malaysia has, therefore, embedded team building in its training programmes as well. |
When the Auditor General (AG) repeatedly said, "I want the staff to work as a team, as a family, maintain synergy and collaboration and exercise positive values", the training branch immediately translated the AG’s vision into a ‘Teambuilding module.’
The Auditor General also stressed that, ‘Training is a PROCESS and NOT an event", and he always makes a point to give the first input for the training modules: Auditing, Accounting, Information Technology and Communication, Management and, especially the Induction course (for the newly recruited auditors).
Phases of Teambuilding
Teambuilding has become part and parcel of any training program. The duration depends on how crucial the output (at the end of the course) and the outcome (3 months or more after attending a training program that is the impact of the course on the auditors’ job) of the training program are. However, the average duration is 2 days. The phases involved in teambuilding are:
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
Trainers in the Training Branch, National Audit Department, Malaysia are trained as teambuilding instructors to conduct teambuilding efficiently.
Forming
The participants carry along with them the AG’s vision in the mind to kick off the formation stage. This stage includes the ice-breaking session in the form of simple classroom games. After the ice has ‘melted’, the participants begin ‘buzzing’ i.e. talking to each other. At this stage they are ready to be clustered into groups. An assignment to ‘officially’ form teams (during the training period) is given they have to decide on a group name, logo, shared values, vision and mission. Creativity can very much be seen here. Some groups may create theme songs, others, group ‘dress’ and so on. This session normally takes between 45 minutes to an hour. The groups are given a chance to present their output.
Storming
To materialize and test the groups formed, classroom or outdoor games are carried out. Here, there is greater member participation, more melting of ice and the spirit of winning creates a climate of synergy. Members begin to talk, cheer, encourage and support their team members, practicing their shared values. This is teambuilding in action.
When the games are over, a ‘debrief’ or ‘reflection’ takes place. The facilitator invites the members to voice their experience. The mistakes and weaknesses realized become their stepping stone to improve. Immediate remedy becomes their mission to the next phase.
Norming
At this stage, activities or tasks with some relation to the real world follow. With values soundly established after the debrief process in the storming stage, members can then either be interchanged or may remain in their groups to solve the given tasks. Activities are done outdoor – on land or in water. Examples of the former are going through on obstacles course, low ropes, spider web or jungle tracking. The latter activities include rafting, treasure hunt along the rivers and stream. Some elements of perseverance will be observed. Usually, however tough the task is because of the strong values established, better and excellent performance are observed. Members have become comfortable and normalized. The debrief at the end of this stage will highlight the effects of teambuilding. Comments such as "I overcame my fear because of the support of my team members. I succeed in this tough task. After this, I know I can do anything at all as long as the team spirit is high" are common. Synergy and collaboration are indeed at play.
Performing
In most of the courses organized, ‘the subject matter training program’
such as Internal Controls Review Audit Course assignment becomes
the ‘venue’ for the team to perform. The participants continue to
be in clusters. At this phase, the real job assignment will be given, such
as:
and so on. The dynamics of the team has matured by this stage. Every member plays out his/her role and responsibility. This situation adds value to the quality of the output. An inter-group evaluation occurs, which the whole class can benefit from. A session to wrap up the teambuilding effort is done: a reflection of the input, process, and output; a recall of the values as a reminder for sustainability; and a closure of the chapter on mistakes and weaknesses to be left behind. |
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Training in the National Audit Department, Malaysian is product oriented. The participants who come back from a training program are expected to improve in attitude, skills and knowledge adding value to the audit work. Thus, the effective way to achieve this is to embed teambuilding in the training program.
