Audio Bonus
Value Analysis Teams
How To Avoid “Group Think”! You need to diversify your VA team’s membership to energize your team
When selecting or replacing your value analysis team member-
ship, you need to consider the diversity of your team’s members. Do they look alike, dress alike, and think alike (i.e., homogeneous) or are they edgy, rebels, and free thinkers (i.e. heterogeneous)? The reason I ask this question is because there have been numerous studies conducted which show that if you have a homogenous group, you are in danger of “group think” or the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity, individual responsibility, and territoriality. I know you have seen this “group think” behavior with your own value analysis teams over and over again. Team members don’t want to hurt someone's feelings, step on their toes, or seem to be unreasona-
ble, so you “go along to get along”. Not a good business practice, if you want to make the best decisions possible at your value analysis team meetings. Another big turnoff is a team member who is obviously protecting their turf when a decision is put on the floor for discussion. They will find every reason possible (logical or illogical) to keep their products or services from being changed. Yet,
Spring 2013
Healthcare Value Analysis Magazine
20
