Portsmouth Site IT Makes Collaboration That Clicks

Members of the winning team huddle to plan their next move during one of six sessions of the Portsmouth Site's teambuilding event.

PIKETON, Ohio — What happens when information technology (IT) professionals from different organizations are placed on the same team with a shared goal?

Participants from four IT contractors randomly grouped together put that question to the test as they tackled challenges at a recent collaborative teambuilding event held by U.S. Department of Energy Portsmouth Site infrastructure support services contractor North Wind Dynamics (NWD).

“IT is the heart of any organization,” IT Cyber Security Specialist James Woods said. “If a system goes down, it has the potential to disrupt work for nearly every department. A strong IT team that can quickly solve problems helps every person in the organization work more efficiently and effectively.”

Through randomized pairings and problem-solving challenges, participants build new relationships, sharpen communication and practice strategic thinking.

The event was organized to create better cohesion and coordination among the various IT groups on the Portsmouth Site supporting more than 2,000 employees who rely on IT services on over 170 servers. IT is integral to keeping all projects at the site running smoothly.

The teambuilding activities pushed individuals beyond organizational boundaries into new, fast-paced partnerships, demonstrating how people who do not normally work together can come together to achieve a shared goal. Team members established roles, shared knowledge and developed strategies under deadline.

“By focusing on common goals rather than individual organizational priorities, participants experienced how alignment can accelerate progress,” Woods said. “This unified mindset encouraged teams to think beyond their usual boundaries.” 

They took part in a “jellyfish string” challenge using strings to maneuver a central ring together, highlighting the fragility of team cohesion when connections are lost.

“This event’s success reflects the exceptional teamwork and leadership of all participating contractors,” NWD IT Manager Ryan Porter said. “We’re grateful for the enthusiastic engagement, energy and commitment that helped strengthen partnerships and build a sense of community.”

-Contributor: Rachel Stroth