Establishing team norms and collaboration principles for effective teamwork.
Working agreements are essential norms and principles established by teams to enhance collaboration and effectiveness in their work. These agreements define how team members interact, communicate, and make decisions, fostering a shared understanding of expectations and responsibilities. By creating a clear framework for behaviour and engagement, working agreements enable teams to operate more cohesively, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.
The significance of working agreements lies in their ability to promote a culture of accountability and trust, which is vital for delivering value predictably and sustainably. When teams align on their working agreements, they can focus on their objectives without the distraction of interpersonal friction. This alignment supports continuous improvement, as teams can regularly revisit and refine their agreements based on evolving needs and experiences.
Moreover, working agreements contribute to long-term systemic change within an organisation. They empower teams to self-organise and adapt to challenges, fostering resilience and agility. By embedding these agreements into the team’s fabric, organisations can cultivate an environment where collaboration thrives, ultimately leading to enhanced performance and value delivery. The clarity and commitment that working agreements provide are crucial for navigating the complexities of modern product development and ensuring that teams remain aligned with their goals and values.
If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.
Graham & Brown
Lean SA
Kongsberg Maritime
Big Data for Humans
Xceptor - Process and Data Automation
Epic Games
ProgramUtvikling
Brandes Investment Partners L.P.
Higher Education Statistics Agency
Boeing
Trayport
Bistech
SuperControl
Jack Links
Slaughter and May
Ericson
Schlumberger
Boxit Document Solutions
Washington Department of Transport
Ghana Police Service
New Hampshire Supreme Court
Washington Department of Enterprise Services
Department of Work and Pensions (UK)
Royal Air Force
Philips
CR2
Emerson Process Management
NIT A/S
Boeing
MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.