Elevating Collaboration on Projects: Key Practices for Creative Teamwork and Efficiency

An overview with Brett Harned

Welcome to the latest edition of PPM Hub! Today, we’re focusing on practical strategies for improving collaboration and efficiency in creative project teams. Joining us is Brett Harned, a proven project management expert and consultant with over a decade of experience working with creative teams. Brett is a partner at Same Team Partners and the founder of Teamangle, a platform designed to improve communication, collaboration, and team culture. His expertise lies in helping organizations implement actionable solutions to tackle complex challenges and achieve better project outcomes

We’re excited to dive into Brett’s perspectives on elevating teamwork and addressing the critical aspects of project management for creative teams.

To start, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your career path in project management, particularly working with creative teams? What inspired you to focus on improving team communication, collaboration, and culture?

Brett Harned

I started my career in the creative world, working in web content and design. Back then, we didn’t even have project managers—we just kind of figured things out as we went. I learned all my skills on the job, and it turned out that I was always the one craving organization and accountability. I was the person asking, “Where’s the plan?” or “How do we know this is done?” That led me to stick around in similar jobs until I was recruited into a PM role at Razorfish. Funny thing? I didn’t even know what a project manager was back then. But as soon as they explained it, I was like, “Bingo! That’s me.”

Since 2015, I’ve been consulting with teams on project management and operations. While I love helping a team solve process issues, I’ve come to realize that process issues often run much deeper than process documentation and a solid PM tool. At their core, the real challenges are rooted in communication, collaboration, and culture.

These three elements are the foundation of strong teams. Without clear communication, collaboration stalls. Without collaboration, teams can’t solve problems effectively. And without a positive culture, even the best processes won’t stick. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to help teams address these foundational areas, creating environments where they can thrive.

From your experience, what are the most common barriers to effective collaboration in creative teams? How can teams identify and address these challenges early?

Brett Harned

The biggest barrier I’ve seen? Assumptions. Assumptions about roles, expectations, and even definitions of success. Creative teams are full of brilliant minds, but without clarity, that brilliance often pulls in a hundred different directions. Another big culprit is lack of psychological safety—when people don’t feel comfortable sharing ideas or concerns, collaboration becomes superficial.

Addressing these challenges early starts with intentional communication. Start every project by clearly defining roles, goals, and how decisions will be made. Regularly revisit those agreements as the project evolves. Teams that commit to ongoing conversations about their work and dynamics can spot friction points early and pivot before they become roadblocks.

You’ve spoken extensively about team alignment. Could you elaborate on why alignment is critical to creative teamwork and share practical tips on how leaders can foster alignment within their teams?

Brett Harned

Alignment is everything. Without it, creative teams feel like they’re rowing in circles—lots of effort, no forward motion. Alignment gives teams a shared sense of purpose, clear direction, and the confidence that their contributions matter. It’s what turns collaboration into a symphony instead of noise.

Practical tips? First, over-communicate. Leaders should regularly check in to ensure everyone is on the same page—not just at the start of a project, but throughout. Second, get specific. What does success look like? Who’s responsible for what?

Communication is often seen as the cornerstone of collaboration. What strategies or frameworks have you found most effective for improving communication in creative team settings?

Brett Harned

Good communication is like good coffee: it keeps things running smoothly, but too much can leave you jittery. The key is balance. In creative teams, I’ve found success with frameworks that prioritize clarity, consistency, and openness.

One strategy I swear by is the “five Cs of communication”: clarity, context, consistency, candor, and curiosity. Always clarify your message, provide context for decisions, stay consistent in updates, encourage honest feedback, and ask questions that spark engagement. These principles help creative teams stay connected and productive, even when projects get chaotic.

In your opinion, how can teams balance the need for structured processes and frameworks with the flexibility that creative work often demands?

Brett Harned

Ah, the eternal tug-of-war between structure and creativity. The truth is, it’s not about choosing one over the other—it’s about designing processes that adapt to your team’s rhythm. Think of it like a jazz band: you need a structure (the sheet music) to guide the work, but enough flexibility (improv) to let creativity shine.

One way to strike this balance is to co-create processes with your team. Involve them in defining what works and what doesn’t. When people feel ownership over the process, they’re more likely to embrace it.

Culture plays a huge role in how teams operate. What steps can leaders take to cultivate a team culture that drives both efficiency and creativity?

Brett Harned

Culture is the invisible hand that guides how teams work together. To build one that balances efficiency and creativity, leaders need to focus on trust, shared values, and continuous improvement.

Start with trust. Create an environment where people feel safe to share ideas, make mistakes, and challenge each other respectfully. Next, define shared values that celebrate both results and experimentation. And finally, practice what I call “micro-improvements”—regularly tweak processes based on team feedback.

As the field of project management evolves, what emerging trends or innovative practices do you believe will play a key role in improving collaboration and efficiency for creative teams?

Brett Harned

Project management is moving beyond the Gantt chart, and I couldn’t be happier. Some of the biggest trends I’m seeing include the rise of AI, a focus on team well-being, and the push for radical transparency.

AI tools are already helping teams automate the boring stuff, freeing up time for creative problem-solving. But what excites me most is the growing emphasis on the human side of work—how we communicate, collaborate, and show up for each other. When teams invest in those areas, that’s where real innovation happens.

Brett Harned, Consultant and Coach at Same Team Partners
Brett Harned is a leading expert in project management and team collaboration, bringing over 25 years of experience in digital project management and creative leadership, along with a passion for teaching and community-building, to his role as a consultant and coach at Same Team Partners. Drawing on his extensive expertise, Brett helps clients navigate complex challenges related to people, processes, and culture. His diverse background spans start-ups, higher education, agencies of all sizes, product development, community management, event production, content strategy, and marketing. Brett has mentored and coached countless project managers, designers, managers, and business owners.