The team is the central element in Scrum. The chance to create synergy through effective team work is dependent on various variables, among other things on the quick and purposeful development of the respective team. Clearly defined teams form from within, usually unconsciously, their own work and social process, so that they can work faster and more efficiently using controlled team development.
Team development is defined as the goal-oriented impact on the complex, open and hidden processes of a defined team. It is based on a list of tasks, the structure and relationships of the individual team members in order to optimize work abilities, efficiency and the removal of real blockades ‘(obstacles).
Specific team development belongs to the tasks of the ScrumMaster needed for the formation and implementation of differentiated models and methods. An effective instrument for team development is the model of the “three basic values social system”. This model is well suited to optimally analyze team process and can present the key elements of team dynamics and processes.
The model of three basic values
It is a systemic “original model”, that occurs in similar form in many cultures and states that in all the existing social systems (teams) this set of basic values pre-exists as knowledge/know-how, order/structure, trust/relationship. These basic values are of central meaning for the process of self-organization of the system (team). The central message is that everyone of these three values must be appreciated, experienced and developed fluidly by the team. If these three values are in balance, this indicates stability and vigor in the sense of effective self-organization. If a dynamic of unbalance or if one value dominates disproportionately or a value is extremely weak, the teams experience this situation in part as a severe disruption.
- Knowledge/know how strengthens teams to accomplish technical requirements in dealing with work structures and processes as a safeguard for the present as well as for the future.
- Order/structure creates central regularities for orientation and action. In addition to rules and processes hierarchy and leadership are essential elements of order.
- Trust/relationship forms the social interaction in the sense of climate, unity, personal protection, safety and of belonging.
The ScrumMaster in the function of team developer can derive from this a process analysis plan that makes it possible to define the status quo and to deduce development fields in retrospectives or team development workshops
A team development profile could possibly look like this:
Every team has an individual profile, that can be derived from the facilities and impact of the basic values. This profile can be developed and used by the ScrumMaster as his observation and diagnosis instrument or worked and reworked with the team. The process with consensual reflection and determination of the status quo between 1 and 10 and the definition of the fields of development starts a productive dialogue which is team development par excellence. The individual elements of every value are explained here with examples and can be supplemented with practical situations.
Dieter Rösner, Trainer ScrumMaster Pro