Good fences make good neighbors - the importance of team boundaries

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors – Why Team Boundaries Are Important

David KershawVP, Cloud Services

Altova GmbH

There Are 2 Types of Teams In The World…

Which would you think works better?

Of course we’re on a team because, well, look around – everything that happens here is a team. Right?

I’m on 5 teams. Or is 6 teams?

We carefully cultivated this team!

Frequently they are hard to find!

Studies Have Looked For Team Boundaries…

No, actually it’s more like 10%

do know who is on the team

!

At least 25% of team members aren’t sure

who is on the team!

Why Are Boundaries Important?

The boundary gives us space to do things our way

And there are more reasons for boundaries.

For instance…

If Everyone Is On The Team Then No One Is

Commitment becomes a big problem!

Why are boundaries important?

I have stuff to do over there

My boss pointed me in another direction

Who Do You Ask For What You Need?

I can dig that up for you!

I really need more information!

Why are boundaries important?

Too Many Communication Channels

See the Mythical Man-month

Limiting team size can increase performance.

Why are boundaries important?

What? How many?

5 new team members! Pass it on.

If Everyone Is On The Team, Is Everything In Scope?

Or, if anyone can be on the team, can’t anything be in scope?

Why are boundaries important?

Brown is in scope!Black & white is

in scope too!

Tan is in definitely in scope!

4 Boundaries Provide For Good Teamwork

1. Who is in the organization

2. Who is on the team

3. Who is assigned to what role

4. Who is participating in what work

Teamwork Should Be Fractal

At any level of detail, the boundaries should be clear.

I know what my role is!

I can see who my teammates are!

I’m working on a task!

It is complete clarity.

There Is 1 Magic Ingredient For Good Boundaries

But clarity also implies consistency!

How Do You Give Teams Clear Boundaries?

The screenshots are from MetaTeam!

Some suggestions…

Make it easy to find people

Their teams, and

The work they are assigned

So they will stay focused.

Recognition Is Important To Teamwork

Try this here! Learn more here!

Make membership clear

And limited

So membership is opportunity

Membership Should Have Privileges

Try this here! Learn more here!

Assign detailed roles

To every member

So responsibilities are handled,

Members know who can help,

And what to do.

Membership Should Also Have Responsibilities

Try this here! Learn more here!

Set clear goals,

Assign each to 1 owner,

Align contributing roles

With clear responsibilities

And collaboration happens

Alignment Is A Synonym For Collaboration

Try this here! Learn more here!

Thank you!

David KershawVP, Cloud ServicesAltova GmbHhttp://metateam.net