Managing Task Forces:There are a few critical differences between task forces and formal committees.
For example, members of a task force have less time to build relationships with each other, and, because task forces are temporary, there may be no desire for long-term positive relationships. Formation of a task force may suggest that the organization’s usual problem-solving mechanisms have failed. This perception may lead to tensions among task force members and between the task force and other units in the organization. The various members of a task force usually come from different parts of the organization and, therefore, have different values, goals, and viewpoints. The leader will need to take specific action to efficiently familiarize task force members with each other and create bonds in relation to the task.
Preparing for the First Meeting Prior to the task force’s first meeting, the leader must clarify the objectives in specific measur- able outcomes, determine its membership, set a task completion date, plan how often and to whom the task force should report while working on the project, and ascertain the group’s scope of authority, including its budget, availability of relevant information, and decision-making power. The task force leader should communicate directly and regularly with the administrator