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Agile Teams

Cross-functional teams that use an iterative and incremental approach to quickly deliver high-quality products.

Also called: Scrum Teams, CrossFunctional Teams, SelfOrganizing Teams, Adaptive Teams, Iterative Teams, Flexible Teams, Responsive Teams, and Collaborative Teams

See also: Agile Definition of Done, Agile Framework, Agile Manifesto, Agile Principles, Agile Product Development, Agile Product Owner, Agile Program Management Office, Agile Release Train, Product Delivery, Product Manager

Relevant metrics: Team Velocity, Team Satisfaction, Team Productivity, Team Quality, and Team Efficiency

In this article

What is an Agile Team?

Agile teams are teams that use agile methodology to develop software. Agile teams are typically self-organizing and cross-functional, with each team member having a specific role and responsibility. Agile teams use iterative and incremental development, with frequent feedback and collaboration between team members. Agile teams are focused on delivering value to the customer quickly and efficiently.

Where did Agile Teams come from?

Agile teams originated in the software development industry in the early 2000s. The term was coined by a group of software developers who wanted to create a more efficient and effective way of developing software. They developed a set of principles and practices that focused on collaboration, flexibility, and responsiveness to customer needs. This approach was called “agile” because it allowed teams to quickly adapt to changing customer requirements and respond to feedback quickly. Agile teams have since become a popular way of developing software, and the term is now used to describe any team that uses an agile approach to working.

When agile teams shine

Agile teams are particularly beneficial in situations where the environment is constantly changing. This could include a rapidly evolving industry, a project with a tight deadline, or a situation where the team needs to quickly respond to customer feedback. Agile teams are able to quickly adapt to changing conditions, allowing them to stay ahead of the competition and remain competitive.

Agile teams also focus on collaboration and communication, allowing them to quickly identify and address potential problems, as well as to quickly come up with creative solutions. This comes in handy in situations where the team needs to quickly come up with innovative solutions to complex problems.

Agile teams can offer a number of advantages over traditional teams. They are able to quickly adapt to changing conditions, focus on collaboration and communication, and quickly deliver results. This makes them particularly beneficial in situations where the environment is constantly changing, a project has a tight deadline, or the team needs to quickly respond to customer feedback.

Organizing an agile team

Agile teams are typically organized around a shared goal or mission, and each team member is expected to contribute their unique skills and perspectives to the team’s success. This type of team structure allows for greater flexibility and creativity, as well as the ability to quickly pivot and adjust to changing conditions. Agile teams are also able to quickly identify and address potential problems, allowing them to stay ahead of the competition.

They are characterized by their ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions and to rapidly respond to customer needs. They are highly collaborative, with members working together to solve problems and create innovative solutions. Agile teams are also characterized by their focus on continuous improvement, with members regularly reflecting on their work and making adjustments to improve their processes.

Team members are expected to work together to achieve their goals, and they are encouraged to share ideas and feedback with each other. This type of collaboration allows the team to quickly identify and address potential problems, as well as to come up with innovative solutions.

Agile teams also use a variety of techniques to ensure that tasks are completed on time and within budget. These techniques include timeboxing, which sets a specific amount of time for a task to be completed, and scrum, which is a framework for managing tasks and ensuring that they are completed on time.

To build an effective agile team, ensure that all members are committed to the team’s goals and that they are willing to work together to achieve them (see Working Agreement). All members are given the opportunity to contribute their ideas and that their contributions are valued.

Benefits of Implementing Agile Teams

  • Increased Productivity. Agile teams are able to quickly adapt to changing requirements and deliver results faster than traditional teams. This allows for more efficient use of resources and increased productivity.
  • Improved Quality. Agile teams are able to focus on quality and ensure that the end product meets the customer’s expectations. This leads to higher customer satisfaction and improved customer loyalty.
  • Increased Collaboration. Agile teams are able to work together more effectively, as they are able to communicate and collaborate more easily. This leads to better problem solving and faster decision making.
  • Improved Morale. Agile teams are able to work together more effectively, which leads to improved morale and a better working environment. This leads to increased job satisfaction and improved employee retention.
  • Reduced Costs. Agile teams are able to deliver results faster, which leads to reduced costs. This allows for more efficient use of resources and improved profitability.

Challenges of Implementing Agile Teams

Working in an agile team can be challenging, as it requires members to be flexible and to quickly adapt to changing conditions. It also requires members to be highly collaborative and to work together to solve problems and create innovative solutions. Additionally, agile teams often have to work with limited resources, which can be a challenge when trying to meet customer needs.

  • Building trust. Agile teams require a high level of trust between team members, which can be difficult to establish in a short amount of time.
  • Communication. Agile teams need to be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in order to be successful. This can be difficult to achieve when team members are located in different locations or have different communication styles.
  • Adaptability. Agile teams need to be able to quickly adapt to changing requirements and conditions. This can be difficult to do when team members are not used to working in an agile environment.
  • Collaboration. Agile teams need to be able to collaborate effectively in order to be successful. This can be difficult to achieve when team members have different working styles or are not used to working together.
  • Time management. Agile teams need to be able to manage their time effectively in order to meet deadlines. This can be difficult to do when team members are not used to working in an agile environment.
Relevant questions to ask
  • What is the purpose of the team?
    Hint The purpose of the team is to work together to achieve a common goal.
  • What are the team's goals and objectives?
    Hint The team's goals and objectives should be clearly defined and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's timeline for completion?
    Hint The team's timeline for completion should be established and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's budget?
    Hint The team's budget should be established and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's desired outcome?
    Hint The team's desired outcome should be clearly defined and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's communication style?
    Hint The team's communication style should be established and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's decisionmaking process?
    Hint The team's decision-making process should be established and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's risk management strategy?
    Hint The team's risk management strategy should be established and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's approach to problemsolving?
    Hint The team's approach to problem-solving should be established and agreed upon by all members.
  • What is the team's approach to collaboration?
    Hint The team's approach to collaboration should be established and agreed upon by all members.

You might also be interested in reading up on:

People who talk about the topic of Agile Teams on Twitter
Relevant books on the topic of Agile Teams
  • Scrum and XP from the Trenches, by Henrik Kniberg and Mattias Skarin (2010)
  • Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum, by Mike Cohn (2010)
  • Management 0: Leading Agile Developers, Developing Agile Leaders, by Jurgen Appelo (2011)
  • Scaling Lean & Agile Development: Thinking and Organizational Tools for LargeScale Scrum, by Craig Larman and Bas Vodde (2009)
  • Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great, by Esther Derby and Diana Larsen (2006)

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