Half a person doesn’t exist—splitting time between multiple projects destroys team cohesion.
The Gelled Team
- A fully-formed team knows each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and quirks.
- A well-balanced team might include 7 dev, 2 testers, 2 analysts, and a project manager.
Team Formation Takes Time
- It can take 6 months to a year for a team to truly gel.
Team First, Project Second
- Forming teams around projects prevents bonding and efficiency.
- Instead, persistent teams should move from project to project.
Managing a Gelled Team
- Velocity matters—it’s statistical, not subjective.
- Persistent teams allow businesses to re-prioritize quickly without breaking productivity.
The Project Owner Dilemma
- Persistent teams remove project owners’ control over “their” teams.
- But this flexibility benefits the business, allowing quick resource allocation.
Teams are harder to build than projects. Focus on strong, persistent teams for long-term success.