Are team standards (aka "team charter") a taboo or even banned practice in your organization?
How is this practice perceived by managers? 🤫🤷♂️ou your agile coaches 🧐 ?
For my part, I am convinced that the success of a project depends in particular on effective collaboration and "teamwork". Ways of Working The project team (or product team) is responsible for defining and ratifying "well-defined" objectives.
Especially at the start of a project, when a team is being formed or when new players are being integrated into an existing team.
Unfortunately, in the wake of the events of a new initiative, or when a project manager is assigned to several small projects in parallel, it often happens that we launch into Execution mode without regard for the preferences & constraints of our team members and the project...
Today, I wanted to share with you the crucial importance of developing team standards by involving the team.
Why a project team charter?
🎯 Team purpose
Team standards often begin by defining the team's raison d'être, clarifying its mission in relation to the project or product to be achieved. They ensure that each member fully understands his or her contribution to the project (or product).
🌟 Team values
Team norms establish the fundamental values on which the team's culture is based. They create a framework for behavior and decision-making, fostering interactions based on values shared by the team (e.g. respect, trust, collaboration, transparency, communication, openness, focus, courage, accountability, etc.).
🔍 Coherent practices and facilitating integration
By following established team norms, new team members can quickly adapt to the team's work processes and methodologies (aka " Ways Of Working "). This ensures a degree of uniformity in team practices, and serves as a guide to quickly understand the culture, speeding up their integration and mitigating the risks of inconsistency or confusion within the team.
🤝 Roles and responsibilities
By being clear about the roles and responsibilities of each team member, team norms avoid overlaps and gaps in tasks (beware of boundaries that are too square! Collaboration is always the order of the day!). This ensures a fair distribution of work and promotes smooth collaboration.
🔍 Decision-making mechanisms
Team standards establish decision-making and escalation mechanisms, indicating how decisions are made and who is accountable for them. This ensures effective and transparent decision-making within the team.
🔄 Governance preferences and activities
Team standards also include the team's work preferences (Ex. " No Name, Blame, Shame Games", "No meetings longer than 30 minutes on Friday afternoons unless the situation requires it"). and governance activities, such as agile ceremonies (stand-up meetings, retrospectives, etc.), steering committees, quarterly reviews, etc. They ensure that these activities are captured, planned and executed.
🌱 Culture of Excellence
Finally, the production of team standards reflects a commitment to a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. It is a sign that the team aspires to achieve higher levels of quality and efficiency in its work.
The Devastating Consequences of Ignoring Individual Preferences
Ignoring team norms can lead to chaotic projects, poor communication and mismanaged expectations. Don't underestimate their importance...
😞💔De-motivation and disengagement
Team members may feel neglected, reducing their motivation and commitment to the project.
☠️👥Toxic work environment
Ignoring individual expectations can create a toxic work environment, where members feel unvalued and unsupported.
⚔️🔥Conflicts and tensions
Unresolved misunderstandings and frustrations can lead to conflict between team members.
📉⏳Lower productivity
A lack of consideration for individual needs can be detrimental to overall efficiency, slowing project progress.
📝🚫Reduced quality of work
Unmotivated team members are less likely to deliver high-quality work, which has a negative impact on project results.
🚪🏃♂️Increased turnover
Dissatisfied team members are more likely to leave the organization, resulting in a loss of talent and additional costs for recruitment and training.
In conclusion, team standards are an essential pillar of project success, especially for dedicated teams where members will be working together for a long time to come. Don't underestimate their importance: team standards are essential for harmonious collaboration and lasting success.
Act now, establish these team standards sooner rather than later. Ideally at the start of the project, when the team is in its "Formative" stage of development.
