The experts advised that members of cross-functional product development teams work toward the same goal by creating a project map that all agree to follow; all members should have input into the plan so that it is accepted and makes the team stronger. As the project progresses, it becomes the team members' responsibility to make sure the project's goal is supported and communicated throughout the organization.
Obtaining approval of progress at each stage minimizes the potential for politics to get in the way. It is important that everyone on the team communicates both positive and negative news, and that they each understand the project impact of their “news.” Additionally, it is important to have a balance between consumer insight and market data--between logical thinking and gut instinct.