Ultimate Guide to Collaborative Work Management

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Collaboration management has always been a cornerstone of productivity in business. The term refers to the interaction of employees, ease of communication, and sharing of resources.

Yet, teamwork has slid to the bottom of many businesses’ agendas in the wake of the pandemic. Employees ejected from the office no longer have a central hub. As a result, collaboration seems harder to implement successfully. This raises an important question: How do you bring together a workplace fractured by the rise of remote work?

Collaborative work management (CWM) could well be the answer. But first, you need to acknowledge the importance of collaboration.

76% of people who primarily use a project management tool to communicate with coworkers report greater efficiency. It’s important to recognize that top talent may prefer companies that champion collaborative software.

There’s also been a seismic shift in power from the organization to the talent. Your company dynamic needs to reflect this change. To secure and retain top talent, consider implementing Agile practices. Collaboration is seen as an integral part of any Agile organization. Agile enterprises are companies that leverage collaborative tools to speed up onboarding and streamline operations. 

CWM measures can also have a trickle-down effect on talent retention. According to Cake.com, only 21% of employees globally are engaged at work, with 50% actively seeking a new job. 

It’s also implied that you should integrate CWM at all levels of your business to reap the rewards. Create enterprise collaborative work management principles that employees can thrive under, and you'll anchor top talent.

In the current climate, commitment to traditional principles could prove catastrophic. Consumer demand and employee concerns have become central, with mounting evidence for the benefits of running an Agile enterprise adding fuel to the fire. 

Recent research highlights the upsides of Agile work, showing that 70% of organizations reported improved team performance after adopting Agile, with a 35% increase in team collaboration and a 25% reduction in time-to-market.

Collaborative work management — the shared oversight and completion of tasks — is vital for any business aspiring to keep up in a fast-moving market. This guide will cover collaboration in business, how it can help you transform your work culture, and the benefits it can bring.

What's in the Collaborative Work Management Guide?

01
What is Collaboration in the Workplace?
The best route to success
02
What Is an Enterprise Collaboration System?
Large-scale collaboration
03
Introduction to Collaborative Teamwork
Building effective teams
04
Collaborative Work Skills
The critical elements of collaboration
05
Best Work Collaboration Tools & Software
The most helpful apps and platforms
06
Benefits of Collaboration in the Workplace
Why teamwork is vital
07
Challenges of Collaborative Working
Stumbling blocks you might meet
08
Tips for Successful Collaboration in the Workplace
Everything to know to collaborate well
09
Effective Collaboration Strategies
Guide your teams' collaborative work
10
What Is Cross-Functional Collaboration?
The combined effort of various teams
11
FAQ
Your collaborative work questions, answered
12
Glossary
Collaborative work terms, explained