One of the essential elements of Project Management is first assembling a team, and then building it from within. "Team Building" usually evokes cringe worthy memories of new employees been forced to do activities they'd rather not, or - if you've had a good session, it could be the icebreaker and bonding exercise that gels your team, lets them get to know each other, and lets them get on. In today's economic climate, budgets are being cut, and expensive corporate team-building events from external suppliers are likely to be one of the first things to go. Project managers are therefore left with wondering how to run a team building event or session with lower budget constraints. Here are some ideas of tried and tested ways to get a team to co-operate rather than cringe.

You can still change the environment

Going out for the day for an activity is always a morale-booster in a team. Instead of paying a company to organise a venue and travel, you can easily do this yourself at a reduced rate (and you're a project manager, right? So think of this as a project you're going to manage). Better still - cut out the travel and look where most people don't: on the company doorstep. A local park can be used, free, for outdoor team building activities and local businesses can provide conference rooms at a cut price. Don't pay for expensive hall rentals or meeting rooms when there are other local options available.

Physical or intellectual activity or both?

Most kinds of team building involve physical activity, it keeps people alert, and literally keeps them on their toes. Plus, it can be fun. A local school might be happy for you to use their gym and may even help you lead a session - what do they do to get 16 year olds from different schools to collaborate? You can use their ideas and make it work for your activity. Intellectual activities don't have to be boring, either. Ask your colleagues to fill in a questionnaire for each other. Instead of the boring "go around the room, introduce yourself and your role" which is done so many times that people can't remember and switch off, turn this into "what's the most unusual hobby you have?" "What's your claim to fame?" this gets people beyond the business small talk and really getting to know each other on a fun, more personal level - and it costs nothing.

Leading sessions and external contacts

Let's say your company normally pays for a corporate "expert" in team building to come in and work for a few hours with your staff. Why not look to your own team for ideas? After all, it can be your first project together - and one that's fun and relaxed because it's not related to the upcoming day job and pressures. You'd be amazed how creative people are when given a chance, and it means you're doing what the team actually want instead of what a corporate supplier thinks they want. How would your team like to get to know each other? What activities have they done in their previous jobs that were a team-building success for them? Get the team talking about team building and they actually start the building themselves.

You can still spend, just not as much

Even a small gesture like a pint in the local pub nearest the office can be a great ice-breaker (and it also lets people know where the nearest bar is!). Or perhaps a team lunch paid for by the company's catering, since it's a one-off that won't be repeated often. You don't need expensive days away, complex activities or a big budget to get to know your team and give them what they need. Lower budget doesn't always mean lower quality, and surely that's what you're going to be expecting of your team in their day job, too?