Published At: March 6, 2023
Are you looking to build a high-performing agile team using Scrum but don't know where to start? In this blog, we will discuss key strategies that can help you create a successful agile team using Scrum.
First things first, we need to describe why it’s important to create a high performing team.
A high-performance team is critical to achieving success. It increases productivity, improves work quality, generates innovation, enhances communication, promotes job satisfaction, and improves retention rates. Building a high-performance team is essential for any organization that wants to succeed long-term.
Defining a high-performance development team can be subjective, but generally, a high-performance development team has the following characteristics:
Team alignment: A high-performance development team is aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. Each team member understands their role and how it contributes to the team's success.
Effective communication: A high-performance development team has strong communication skills. Team members can share their ideas and feedback openly, and conflicts are resolved in a timely and effective manner.
Agile methodology: A high-performance development team is well-versed in agile methodologies, such as Scrum. The team understands the importance of transparency, adaptation, and continuous improvement.
Innovation: A high-performance development team is creative and innovative. Team members are encouraged to think outside the box and bring fresh ideas to the table.
Collaboration: A high-performance development team is collaborative. Team members work together to achieve common goals, and everyone is committed to the team's success.
Accountability: A high-performance development team takes ownership of their work. Each team member is accountable for their tasks and ensures they are completed on time and to a high standard.
Continuous learning: A high-performance development team is always learning. Team members are encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge, and the team is open to new technologies and approaches.
There could be various reasons why a development team may be struggling to perform. Here are a few possible reasons:
Poor communication: A lack of clear communication can lead to misunderstandings, mistakes, and missed deadlines.
Ineffective management: A manager who is not providing clear direction, support, or feedback can negatively impact team morale and productivity.
Inadequate training: A team that lacks the necessary skills or experience may struggle to perform, particularly if they are working with new technologies or methodologies.
Insufficient resources: A team that is working with limited resources, such as time or budget, may struggle to meet their goals.
Low morale: A team that is demotivated or disengaged may struggle to produce high-quality work or meet deadlines.
Conflicting priorities: A team that is pulled in different directions may struggle to focus on their core responsibilities.
Lack of trust: A team that does not trust each other or their manager may struggle to collaborate effectively.
It's important to identify the root cause of the team's struggles and take appropriate action to address them. This could involve training, coaching, process improvements, or other interventions.
In 1965, psychologist Bruce Tuckman introduced the concept of 5 stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.
The forming stage is like an orientation day where team members get to know each other and discuss goals and timelines. In the storming stage, the initial excitement wanes, and conflicts may arise, but these are normal and should be addressed.
During the storming stage, the team experiences increased competition and conflict. At this point, individuals have a better understanding of their role and the tasks they need to accomplish. As a result, dominant members of the group may begin to emerge.
The norming stage is where the group settles into a groove, and everyone works as a cohesive unit. In the performing stage, the team is confident, motivated, and working towards the final goal.
The performing stage is where team members experience a sense of satisfaction as they make progress towards their goals. They actively engage in sharing insights about their personal and group processes and are mindful of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their team members.
Finally, in the adjourning stage, the team disbands, and members feel a sense of loss.
Understanding these stages can increase the chances of project success. Effective teams are not formed by just throwing together talented individuals. The most high-functioning teams are cultivated.
One popular method for building and maintaining high-performance teams is the Scrum framework. Scrum is a collaborative approach to software development that emphasizes teamwork, communication, and iterative progress. It's designed to help teams work together to deliver a working increment and that meet the changing needs of the business.
Here are a few ways that the Scrum method can help you create a high-performance team:
In the Scrum method, teams work towards a clear goal, which is broken down into smaller, manageable tasks that are prioritized by the product owner. This helps the scrum team understand what they need to do and why, creating a sense of purpose and motivation.
Scrum teams have daily stand-up meetings to ensure that everyone is on the same page and to identify any roadblocks that may be impeding progress. This regular communication allows team members to share information and collaborate effectively, ensuring that the team stays on track.
Scrum teams are designed to be flexible and adaptable to changes in priorities, requirements, and other variables. By working in short iterations, teams can adjust their approach and change direction as needed, allowing them to quickly respond to new information and customer feedback.
Scrum emphasizes continuous improvement, with teams regularly reflecting on their work and identifying areas for improvement. This helps teams identify issues and inefficiencies, and work to address them before they become larger problems.
Scrum teams are empowered to make decisions and take ownership of their work, which leads to a greater sense of accountability and engagement. This empowerment also helps teams work more efficiently, as they don't need to wait for approval or guidance from managers.
Overall, the Scrum method can help you create a self managing team with a high-performance team by providing a framework that emphasizes clear goals, effective communication, flexibility, continuous improvement, and team empowerment. By adopting this approach, you can create a team that is focused, motivated, and capable of delivering high-quality products that meet the changing needs of the business.
📌Ready to scale up your team to the next level with the Scrum method? Our expert Scrum Masters are here to help. Schedule a consultation with us today and discover how we can assist your development team to become a high-performing unit using Scrum methodologies
