WordGarden.iointerdepartmental
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌɪntədɪpɑːtmˈɛntəl/
US
Meanings
Adjective
involving or occurring between departments of an organization
Beyond the definition
Imagine a large company trying to launch something new. It will not go well if only one department knows what is happening. "Interdepartmental" describes work, communication, or decisions that involve cooperation between different departments within the same organization. It means different teams are working together toward a shared goal.
Think of a new product launch. The marketing team needs input from engineering, sales needs updates from marketing, and customer support needs information from all of them. You might have an interdepartmental memo explaining changes or an interdepartmental meeting to discuss progress. The idea is simple: departments are not working alone; they are coordinating with each other.
"Interdepartmental" refers to something that involves, affects, or is shared by several different departments within the same organization – like a network connecting various parts of a larger system. It highlights collaboration and communication across those departmental boundaries rather than solely within them.
This term is most commonly used in professional settings, particularly in businesses, government agencies, or educational institutions. An interdepartmental conflict might arise when two departments have competing priorities. A successful company often fosters an interdepartmental culture, encouraging teams to share information and work together seamlessly. You'll frequently see it paired with words like "communication," "collaboration," "report," or "committee."
For example, a hospital might form an interdepartmental task force comprised of doctors, nurses, administrators, and IT specialists to address patient safety concerns. A university could have an interdepartmental research project bringing together faculty from different disciplines like biology, chemistry, and engineering.
Essentially, "interdepartmental" signifies a move away from isolated work towards integrated efforts – recognizing that complex problems often require the combined expertise of multiple teams to solve effectively. It's about working together, not in separate boxes.
Examples
- 1
Workplace meeting
The company held an interdepartmental meeting to discuss the new hiring plan.
- 2
Team cooperation
The project needs interdepartmental cooperation because it involves sales, design, and customer support.
- 3
Job transfer
She moved into finance through an interdepartmental transfer.
- 4
Office conflict
Interdepartmental rivalry made it harder for the teams to share useful information.
See also
Similar
- cross-departmental
- multidepartmental
Shades of meaning
- cross-functional
- interdivisional
Contrast
Do not confuse
- intradepartmental
Used with (collocations)
- interdepartmental meeting
- interdepartmental communication
- interdepartmental cooperation
Word family
- department
- inter-
Explore
- organizational structure
- silo mentality
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- interdepartmentaladjectiveadverb