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Team Agreement Template
TIP
Teams are more effective when each member knows what is expected of them and how members of the team will work together.
Team Communication
Strategies
INFO
Outline the tools that will be used for team communication, the frequency of communication, etc. Examples are provided below!
Example
- Developers meet every other day to review their progress and plans. They meet once per week with clients/managers (or advisor/instructor) to review project status.
- Provide an availability schedule at the beginning of each iteration.
- Utilize Slack for primary communication. Use texting via cell phone for immediate contact (urgent correspondence).
- Be available for deployment/delivery even when it falls after business hours or over weekends.
Expectation
INFO
Enumerate guidelines for successful communication. Examples are provided below!
Example
- Respond on Slack within 12 hours. Buy a coffee for everyone if you failed to respond in time!
- Use đź‘ŤÂ to show agreement or acknowledgment.
- If you have questions, comments, objections, etc., please engage in a conversation in a dedicated thread (click "Reply to thread").
- Use ✅ to show you’ve acted in response to a thread.
- Use 👀 to indicate you are looking or will look into the matter at a later time.
- Participate in team meetings. Provide advance notice if you are going to miss a meeting.
- If you missed a meeting, follow up within 12 hours to see if there’s anything that needs to be done on your end.
- Proactively communicate any issues that will prevent the completion of assigned tasks.
Team Values
INFO
Define principles that will guide the team. Examples are provided below.
Example
Each member of the team is responsible and accountable to uphold our collaboration values as we work together to improve our teamwork and cdommunication. We shall hold each other accountable when someone is not acting in accordance with this agreement.
All team members show up to meetings and class on time and with work done as per agreement. For teams to be successful, members need to be responsible for their duties and do the work required as agreed upon. Otherwise, team progress could be impeded,especially if further steps are dependent on the required work. Everyone needs to know that they can rely on their team members in completing assigned tasks/preparation work so that the team can progress in its objective(s).
Everyone, irrespective of their role, is expected to support each other and is responsible for the overall quality of all project deliverables. There may be various ideas on how to achieve success within the team. Therefore, members need to be open to compromise and recognize that it is sometimes better to give in than be "right."
Each member shall actively listen to other members, and after listening, provide effective non-judgmental feedback. Members take responsibility to communicate their ideas, thoughts, concerns, etc. Respectful communication (verbal and non-verbal) in response to cultural and personal differences contributes to team cohesion.
We commit to addressing differences in a timely, open, and honest manner. It is important to address conflicts before they become destructive. When an issue arises, we aim to resolve it at the staffing level at which it occurred. That is, speaking to the people directly involved in the conflict first, before approaching a third-party mediator, such as a manager (CA or instructor).