Successful Team Requirements

In addition to adhering to the six basic principles of team discipline, an effective team needs to have:

• An Understandable Charter - The charter is developed by the team and mutually agreed upon by the members. The charter should clearly define the mission or task and the boundaries within which the team is to operate. Has the team taken its assigned area of responsibility and designed its own mission, vision, and strategies to accomplish the mission? Has the team defined and communicated its goals; its anticipated outcomes and contributions; its timelines; and how it will measure both the outcomes of its work and the process the team followed to accomplish their task?
• Effective Communication - Good communication skills are vital to an effective team. This not only includes communication between team members, but also between the team and the organization.
• Clear Roles and Responsibilities - Clear roles and responsibilities need to be defined by the team, so that each member knows what is expected of him/her.
• Time-efficient Processes - Teams need well planned and structured meetings for efficient time management.
• Interdependence - Team member interdependence for task performance, shared goals, and rewards serves to increase group cohesiveness and efficacy.
• A Sense of Accountability - Both individual members and the team as a whole need to feel accountable for the team's actions, decisions, and performance.
• Management Support – A “champion” for teamwork in top management helps to create a climate for successful team work. Top management should increase delegation of authorities as the team matures and proves itself.