Analyze the role of team structure

Strong products arise from strong teams. Cross‑functional collaboration brings together product managers, designers, engineers, marketers, analysts, and other specialists to solve problems from multiple angles. These teams share context, reduce silos, and innovate faster.

Apple’s development of the first iPhone is a classic example. Under “Project Purple,” design, hardware, and software engineers worked side by side through prototyping, feedback, and iteration. An engineer even starred in the first marketing video, showing how creativity can flow across functions.^[1][2]

Cross-functional teams thrive when they balance diverse expertise with shared purpose.