Team structures

Basic idea

How a team is organised internally. Two ends of the spectrum: controlled centralised (vertical, one leader, sub-teams) and self-organising / scrum (horizontal, peer-coordinated). The right choice depends on novelty and predictability of the work.

Key facts

• Controlled centralised: leader directs, vertical comms, scales hierarchically.
• Scrum team: cross-functional, self-organising, small (5-9 people).
• Other variants: feature teams, component teams, matrix.

Controlled centralised

• Leader coordinates tasks and directs work
• Communication and control are vertical
• Sub teams with leaders to direct and guide sub groups

Scrum team

• Used in agile

Siblings

• How teams form & perform - Tuckman's team development model
• Individuals and Motivation
• Organisational theory and motivation
• Project management and leadership
• Team advantages/disadvantages
• Teams and teamwork