To build a high-performing team, having a team charter is vital for setting the foundation. A well-crafted charter not only outlines the team's purpose and values but also establishes the ground rules and success metrics that guide collaboration and accountability. Think of it as a blueprint that everyone can refer back to when navigating challenges or uncertainties.
Let’s break it down:
1. Team Members
Understanding who’s on the team and what each person brings to the table is foundational. Each member should clearly state their role and areas where they’ll need support. This practice not only clarifies responsibilities but also fosters an environment where people feel comfortable asking for help.
For example, if Alice is the Project Manager, she might need support with stakeholder communication, while Bob, the Lead Developer, could need assistance in resolving technical challenges. By formalizing these needs, you create a culture of transparency and mutual support from the outset.
Who is on the team? What is their role?
While creating a Team Charter with your team each team member should be listed along with their name, role, their superpower and areas where they may need support from others. This section creates clarity about who is involved and their responsibilities.
Actions:
Have each team member introduce themselves, stating their name, role, their superpower and areas where they’ll need team support.
2. Team Purpose
The team's purpose is your north star. Why was the team created, and what can they achieve together that individuals couldn’t accomplish alone? This is where the collective mission is defined. It’s essential to articulate this clearly so everyone is aligned on the broader goal.
For instance, if the purpose is to develop a user-friendly mobile app that improves customer engagement, each member will understand how their expertise contributes to that overarching goal. Keeping this purpose front and center helps ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction.
A powerful framework to guide the team purpose is:
We exist to [do what] in order to [achieve what outcome], so that we can [create what impact].
This structure helps clarify not only what the team does but also the broader outcomes and impact your team aims to create. Let’s break it down into key components.
Key Components to Guide Your Team Purpose Creation:
What does your team do?
This refers to the specific function or role your team plays. Are you responsible for design, marketing, operations, or something else? Define the core nature of your team’s work.
How does your team do it?
Highlight the unique ways your team collaborates, innovates, or approaches its tasks. Do you rely on data-driven decisions, customer-centric approaches, or cross-functional collaboration? This section helps set the team apart by showcasing how you work together effectively.
What outcome does your team want to achieve?
Be specific about the key results your team is responsible for, such as delivering products, improving processes, or ensuring customer satisfaction. This gives everyone a clear sense of what success looks like.
What is the broader impact?
Explain the larger impact on the organization, customers, or community. For example, does your work foster innovation, increase customer loyalty, or improve operational efficiency? This helps the team see the bigger picture and understand how their work contributes to larger goals.
Actions:
Discuss as a team why the group was created.
Write down the team’s purpose, focusing on the collective goals that require everyone’s contribution.
3. Ground Rules
Ground rules set the tone for how your team will work together. These should cover communication protocols, meeting expectations, and conflict resolution strategies. Establishing these early on can prevent future misunderstandings and keep the team’s workflow smooth.
For example, you might decide that "We will use Slack for daily updates and meet every Monday for a status check." This ensures everyone knows how and when to communicate, reducing the potential for confusion or missed information.
How will the team work together?
Ground rules are essential for ensuring smooth collaboration. These are the norms that define how team members will communicate, make decisions, and resolve conflicts.
Arrange ideas into groups and vote on the most important ones.
4. Team Values
Values guide behavior and decision-making within the team. They’re the principles that help navigate tough situations and ensure that everyone operates with a shared understanding of what’s important. In some ways, they can act as a moral compass.
For example, values like Respect ("We will treat each other’s ideas and perspectives with respect") and Collaboration ("We believe in working together to achieve the best outcomes") can help build a culture of trust and cooperation. When values are clear and agreed upon, they can also make it easier to resolve conflicts.
What does the team care about? What values will guide the team’s behavior?
Team values reflect the principles that guide how team members interact and make decisions. These values should align with both the team's goals and the broader organizational culture.
Actions:
Discuss and agree on the core values that the team should embody.
Group similar values together and vote on the most important ones.
5. Skills
Identifying the skills present in the team—and any gaps—is essential for ensuring success. This is where you take stock of the expertise already available and determine if there are areas where additional support or training is needed.
For instance, if your project requires mobile app development, and Bob and Carla have those skills, that’s great. But if you realize there’s a gap in backend support, it’s important to address that either by training or bringing in additional help. This clarity helps avoid delays or roadblocks later on.
What skills does the team need to succeed? What skills are already present, and what gaps need to be filled?
Identifying the necessary skills helps the team understand what expertise is available and what additional support or training might be needed.
Actions:
List the skills required for the team’s success.
Identify which team members bring which skills and where there might be gaps.
6. Metrics of Success
Defining clear success metrics allows the team to track progress and stay motivated. These could include project milestones, key performance indicators (KPIs), or deliverables.
For example, you might set a goal to "Complete the app beta version by [date]" or "Achieve a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85+ within the first quarter post-launch." These concrete goals give the team something to strive for and measure their success against.
How will the team measure success?
Discuss and define clear success indicators such as deliverables, project milestones, or key performance indicators (KPIs). This helps keep the team focused and motivated.
Actions:
Brainstorm possible metrics of success.
Group similar ideas together and vote on the most relevant ones.
7. WOW Events
Celebrating success is crucial for maintaining morale. These are the moments when the team gets to acknowledge their hard work and achievements.
For instance, after launching the app, the team might host a celebration lunch or give out awards for standout contributions. These WOW events reinforce a sense of accomplishment and help keep the team motivated for future challenges.
How will the team celebrate success and milestones?
Celebrating achievements, both big and small, boosts morale and keeps the team motivated. WOW events are opportunities to recognize individual and collective accomplishments.
Actions:
Brainstorm ideas for how the team can celebrate its successes.
Group and vote on the most popular celebration ideas.
A team charter isn’t just a one-time exercise—it’s a living document that evolves alongside your team’s growth and challenges. As projects progress, team dynamics shift, and goals are refined, regularly revisiting the charter ensures that it remains relevant and aligned with both the team’s and the organization’s objectives. Think of it as your team’s compass, guiding you through decision-making, especially when uncertainty or conflict arises. When doubts surface or disagreements occur, team members can turn to the charter as a reliable reference point, ensuring that decisions are made in line with the team’s shared values, purpose, and ground rules. By keeping the charter dynamic and regularly updated, you empower the team to stay on track, fostering accountability, clarity, and sustained collaboration over time.
Use this made-for-you Miro template to conduct a Team Charter workshop with your remote or hybrid team.