The Power of The Working Agreement
A team's Working Agreement is a foundational document that sets the tone for how team members will collaborate, communicate, and hold each other accountable. It aligns with Scrum's values and serves as a guide to foster a productive and harmonious working environment. This article explores the origins, benefits, components, timing, and potential consequences of not having a Working Agreement.
Origins of Working Agreements
Working Agreements are rooted in Agile and Lean principles, emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. Working Agreements emerged as a practical tool to ensure that these principles are upheld within teams, especially in self-organizing Agile teams.
Benefits of Working Agreements
Working Agreements offer numerous benefits, including:
Enhanced Collaboration: They foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding, essential for effective teamwork.
Clear Expectations: They set clear expectations for behavior and interactions, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.
Increased Accountability: Team members hold each other accountable to the agreed-upon norms, which enhances trust and reliability.
Alignment with Scrum Values: They reinforce the values of commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect, which are central to Scrum and building trust.
When to Create a Working Agreement
A Working Agreement will be created during the team formation phase, ideally prior to the first sprint. It is revisited and refined during Sprint Retrospectives as the team evolves and learns more about how to work together effectively.
What to Include in a Working Agreement
A comprehensive Working Agreement typically includes the following elements:
Communication Protocols: Guidelines for how and when to communicate, including channels (e.g., Teams, Slack, email) and response times.
Meeting Norms: Expectations for meeting conduct, such as starting on time, having a clear agenda, and staying focused.
Decision-Making Processes: How decisions will be made, whether by consensus, majority vote, or another method.
Conflict Resolution: Strategies for addressing and resolving conflicts constructively.
Work Hours and Availability: Agreements on core working hours, availability, and time-off policies.
Code of Conduct: Behavioral expectations, including respect, inclusivity, and professional demeanor.
Consequences of Not Having a Working Agreement
When a team does not have a Working Agreement, several negative outcomes can arise:
Miscommunication: Without clear communication protocols, misunderstandings and misinterpretations are more likely.
Inconsistent Practices: Team members may follow different processes and standards, leading to inefficiencies and quality issues.
Increased Conflicts: The absence of agreed-upon norms can lead to conflicts and a lack of cohesion within the team.
Reduced Accountability: Without a shared understanding of expectations, holding each other accountable becomes challenging, potentially affecting team performance.
Conclusion
A Working Agreement is a crucial tool for fostering a collaborative and effective team environment. By aligning with Scrum values and setting clear expectations, it helps teams navigate the complexities of working together. Creating and adhering to a Working Agreement ensures that all team members are on the same page, ultimately contributing to the success of the team and the projects they undertake. Embracing this practice is a step toward achieving a harmonious, productive, and highly-effective Scrum team.