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Field and office teams are at odds over project timelines. How can you bridge the gap and find a solution?

When field and office teams clash over timelines, it's crucial to foster collaboration. Here are strategies to synchronize efforts:

- Establish regular, structured communication channels to ensure all parties are updated and heard.

- Align on project goals by conducting joint planning sessions, creating shared understanding of objectives.

- Implement a transparent tracking system for progress, allowing both teams to monitor and adjust timelines as needed.

What approaches have helped you harmonize team expectations and timelines?

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Field and office teams are at odds over project timelines. How can you bridge the gap and find a solution?

When field and office teams clash over timelines, it's crucial to foster collaboration. Here are strategies to synchronize efforts:

- Establish regular, structured communication channels to ensure all parties are updated and heard.

- Align on project goals by conducting joint planning sessions, creating shared understanding of objectives.

- Implement a transparent tracking system for progress, allowing both teams to monitor and adjust timelines as needed.

What approaches have helped you harmonize team expectations and timelines?

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31 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
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    Islam Khalifa

    Well Test supervisor at TAQA (Industrialization & Energy Services Company)

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    To bridge the gap between field and office teams over project timelines, it's important to foster open communication and a shared understanding of each team’s challenges and priorities. Here’s a step-by-step approach you could take: 1. Facilitate Open Dialogue Organize a Joint Meeting: Bring both field 2. Identify Key Issues. Clarify Misunderstandings: Often, the tension arises from a lack of understanding of the other team’s reality. 3. Collaborative Problem-Solving. 4. Improve Communication and Transparency. 5. Define Clear Roles and Responsibilities. 6. Flexible Contingency Planning. 7. Encourage a Unified Goal.

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    Ali Imran

    Logging Geologist/ Data Engg at Exlog Turkiye

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    It requires clear communication, understanding, and collaboration. Here are actionable steps Facilitate Open Communication Hold a Joint Meeting: Use Data to Align Understanding Understand Challenges: Ask the field team about on-site challenges (e.g., unforeseen delays, resource shortages) and the office team about administrative or strategic constraints (e.g., budgets, stakeholder expectations). Pinpoint Misalignments: Determine whether the disagreement stems from differing priorities, unrealistic expectations, or lack of information Create a Unified Plan Establish Common Goals Adjust Timelines Collaboratively Improve Coordination Assign Liaisons Use Collaboration Tools

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    ✔Roman Subbotin

    Business Developer | Oil & Gas Industry | Project Management & Digital Transformation Expert | Strategic Business Development | Operational Excellence |

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    💡To align field and office teams on timelines, start by creating open, structured communication channels where both sides feel heard. Joint planning sessions can build mutual understanding of project goals and constraints. Use transparent tracking systems that provide real-time updates, enabling everyone to monitor progress and adapt as necessary. Remember, collaboration thrives on trust and shared ownership of outcomes. How do you foster harmony between your teams? Share your strategies below!

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    Amin Rezaei

    Petrophysics Engineer | Core Analysis & Multiphase Flow | Reservoir Simulation & Energy Transition

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    I believe getting the field team involved early is crucial for setting realistic timelines. Getting their input upfront helps us avoid surprises later on. I’ve also found that creating cross-functional teams can really help bridge the gap between the office and field. Celebrating milestones together is another great way to keep everyone motivated and on the same page.

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    Torchi Djamel

    Wireline General field Engineer

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    1* use of "cross-functional teams". By including members from both field and office teams in decision-making and planning processes, everyone gains a better understanding of each other's challenges and constraints. This collaboration fosters mutual respect and a sense of shared responsibility. 2 * "adaptive project management". Instead of rigidly sticking to a preset timeline, adaptive project management allows for flexibility and adjustments as the project progresses.

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    David McKay

    Retired from Hess Corporation

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    Lots of good posts from others here. My two cents would be to see that the focus of both field and office personnel is what happens in the field. That means getting the field personnel involved early and often, and see to it that that office personnel go to the field early and often. Ultimately, what matters is that what happens in the field is successful, and though what office personnel do can be valuable, it is only so when that value is delivered to the frontline.

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    Tony Vizurraga

    Independent Oil & Gas Consultant

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    I see lots of great comments on setting right goals, mutual respect, and fostering better communication. While those are important, I think the underlying word that we are looking for is “relationship”. The different roles of each group require the first items, but to develop a strong, solid relationship, we need to share the “why’s” and “how’s” of the project as well as of the team members. Each of us should be prepared to transparently share our reasoning and capabilities with our team members during the planning and execution of our respective roles, asking for feedback as soon as practical for all involved.

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    Novriandi N

    QA/QC Manager PT. Kilang Pertamina Int'l

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    1st ensure to align project vision and objective within the team, 2nd open comm. 3rs ensure team has active comm. All over that office/site team ground rules

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    Amar Rajvanshi

    Consultant-Oil & Gas Reservoir Development and Management. Ex Group General Manager (Reservoir) ONGC

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    We should establish clear, shared project objectives that resonate with both field and office teams. Our goal and therefore emphasis must be the overall project success rather than individual team accomplishments, creating a unified vision that everyone can relate to. When feasible, arrange for office staff to visit field sites and field staff to engage in office tasks for a short period. This hands-on experience can help each group understand the other’s responsibilities and constraints better, leading to improved empathy and collaboration.

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    Sherif Abdel Nasser

    Operations Manager

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    To resolve conflicts between field and office teams over project timelines: Facilitate Open Dialogue: Allow both teams to voice their concerns. Align Goals: Emphasize shared project objectives to unify efforts. Introduce Flexibility: Adjust timelines to accommodate field challenges. Ensure Regular Updates: Maintain transparency with frequent check-ins. Foster Collaborative Solutions: Involve both teams in problem-solving. Recognize Efforts: Acknowledge and support each team’s contributions. Effective communication and mutual respect are key to bridging the gap

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