Building your project team is not just about skills and experiences. You also need to make sure that the team is balanced and can collaborate together to avoid any conflicts.

The Belbin team roles framework helps in building balanced teams by identifying nine types of behaviors or team roles needed for successful teamwork. 

Using these roles as a guide can harness the full potential of each team member and develop high-performing teams.

Most people enjoy working in two or three of the roles, can manage one or two more, and will avoid the rest. These preferences also impact their interactions with other team members. The nine roles are briefly outlined below.

Essential Thinking Roles in the Belbin Framework

Thinking-oriented roles in the Belbin framework focus on problem-solving and strategic analysis. 

These roles support balanced decisions and innovative solutions, while their strengths improve team collaboration and task allocation.

1. Plant 

The Plant is a creative problem solver who often comes up with new approaches and directions. They can be a little absent-minded and introverted.

2. Monitor Evaluator

If you need logical, strategic, and impartial input, be sure to include a Monitor Evaluator in the team.  

Remember that a Monitor Evaluator takes time to make decisions and can be very critical of others, which may impact the morale of the team.

3. Specialist

The Specialist will bring in-depth knowledge and skills to the team. They tend to be dedicated, self-motivated, and highly professional. 

A Specialist is unlikely to stray outside of their area of expertise and can become bogged down in the smaller details of a project.

3 Action-Oriented Roles in the Belbin Model

Action-oriented roles in the Belbin model drive projects forward with a focus on results. They enhance team performance through effective task execution and obstacle management. 

Recognizing their strengths and weaknesses enables better task allocation and improved team dynamics.

1. Shaper

A Shaper drives the project forward, channeling their energy into overcoming any obstacles. 

A desire to meet deadlines can lead to conflict with others and a tendency to overstep their authority.

2. Implementation

As the name suggests, the Implementer role gets things done. 

An Implementer tends to be organized, disciplined, and reliable. They can be a little inflexible – don’t expect a quick response to changes!

3. Completer Finisher

A Completer Finisher will get the project over the line with meticulous attention to detail and high-quality control standards. They often struggle with delegation and worry unnecessarily. 

3 Belbin People-Oriented Roles

People-oriented roles in the Belbin framework enhance team culture, team development, and collaboration. 

These roles promote strong relationships and communication, ensuring the team works effectively toward shared goals. 

1. Coordinator

Need someone to lead the team? Coordinators keep the team focused on objectives, make good decisions, and delegate tasks to the most suitable individuals. Sometimes, they delegate too much!

2. Team Worker

Cooperative, sociable, and supportive. The Team Worker will help your team to get along and reach their goals. 

They are often indecisive and may side with one team member against another.

3. Resource Investigator

A Resource Investigator should be inquisitive, diplomatic, and curious. They work well with external stakeholders and like to explore new opportunities. 

Often overly optimistic, their attention often wanes quickly as the initial excitement associated with a new project fades. Using project change management techniques can help Resource Investigators maintain their focus and adapt to changes.

Accelerate Your Team’s Success

Identifying and adapting to different work styles can make collaborative project management more achievable.

Once you have created your team, you’ll need to work through the five stages of team formation in project management to achieve peak performance.