Devops for Growth

The Perfect Agile Team Charter

What does the optimal team charter look like? When we kick off new Agile marketing teams, we emphasize that team charters work best when they are:

1. Timely:

   The first team charter should be put together as close to the team’s inception as possible.

2. Succinct:

   This document should contain up to a maximum of 10 team rules that the members can know well. If the team charters ends up becoming a list of 100 rules, many will be neglected. Keep it short, sweet, and top of mind.

3. Team-created:

   As all team members will be accountable for following the rules of the charter, it should reflect the beliefs of this group of people, not their managers. As new members join the team, the charter can evolve.

4. Actionable yet abstract:

   Rules in the charter should be phrased in such a way that team members can definitively say whether they are getting done or not. However, they can also reflect abstract practices and feelings, such as pride and offering support.

5. Dynamic yet dependable:

   This is a living document. Allow the team charter to change based on new information that comes into the team. But, make sure it’s not changing as often as every day or every week; this level of frequency will cause confusion.

6. Realistic:

   Keep the team rules outlined in the charter reasonable based on what the team can do now, not what the team wishes they might be able to do in ideal circumstances.

7. Accessible:

   Word documents or PDF files on your computer don’t make good team charter formats. Put a sheet of paper on the wall of the space you share with your team members, if you’re colocated. If not, change everyone’s computer backgrounds to the charter.

8. Agreed upon:

   It’s essential that the whole team believes in the contents of the charter. During its creation, give everyone on the team ample time and space to contribute; don’t steamroll quiet team members.

• Kickoff Meeting: The Complete Guide To Starting Projects Right
• How To Run A Great Client Project Kickoff Meeting
• How To Start Projects Better With Your Clients

Project Name: Invoice Tracking Database

Vision: Help the billing department reduce the number of monthly past-due accounts by providing an easy to use platform for tracking accounts receivable.

Mission: Create an invoice tracking database that enables billing employees to view real-time account statuses, engage vendors proactively to resolve accounts, and generate weekly and monthly account reports.

Success Criteria:

1. Implement database by March 1, 20xx
2. Reduce monthly past-due accounts by 75% after 3 months
3. Achieve > 80% favoriability among billing employees via survey after 3 months

Project Team

Rules of Behavior:

1. All team members will treat each other with respect at all times
2. Constructive feedback is a valuable part of our success so we will not take offense and all team members will ensure all feedback is provided in a constructive manner
3. Open communication among the team is always welcomed and valued
4. We will recognize and celebrate all individual and team accomplishments
5. All personal cell phones will be turned off prior to beginning any of our meetings or discussions
6. We will accept responsibility and be accountable for our actions
7. We will give consideration to whomever is speaking and avoid sidebars or speaking over one another
8. We will work collaboratively when possible and use a consensus approach when making team decisions

Communications:

1. We will hold regular daily meetings in the team room at 9am each work day
2. We will make every effort to attend all scheduled meetings in person (exceptions being scheduled and/or sick leave)
3. We will update our tasks on the kanban board each work day morning before 9am
4. Meeting minutes will be sent out within 24 hours of each meeting
5. The responsibility for meeting scribe will be shared by all team members on a rotating basis
6. If a meeting must be cancelled or additional meetings are required, the Product Owner will send out notifications as early as possible
7. All team members are expected to be on time for all meetings