Team working in distributed environments M253 Team Organization Faculty of Computer Studies Arab Open University Kuwait Branch 2/17/20161 Kuwait Branch

Team Organization This resource sheet serves two purposes : 1.It gives us the way in which the teams can be organized. 2.It describe the different roles of the team members. 2/17/20162Kuwait Branch

Team Organization Usually projects and teams are undertaken within existing organization. Three types of teams : 1.Functional teams : Teams could be composed of members from within a department or function. 2.Cross – functional teams : teams may have members from different departments. 3.Project teams : these are often put together in order to undertake a task that is too large or complex for one person to attempt. Therefore, teams must be able to manage large tasks, breaking down the overall task into small components and distributing these among the members of the team. 2/17/20163Kuwait Branch

How teams can be organized There is several common team structure have been organized depends on the size of the project, small (within 6 to 8 members ), or large projects. 1.Democratic. 2.Hierarchical. 3.Ego – less ( everyone does everything ). 4.Chief programmer 2/17/20164Kuwait Branch

The Democratic team In this kind of team all members are involved in making decisions.In this kind of team all members are involved in making decisions. Decision are made by consensus, or by vote.Decision are made by consensus, or by vote. There is minimal hierarchy within the team, so all team members considered to be equal.There is minimal hierarchy within the team, so all team members considered to be equal. No team leader, someone within the team that has leadership personality, most technically skilled, older or longest – standing in the team, or the person with strongest vision for the team, even if he or she has no special decision making powers within the team.No team leader, someone within the team that has leadership personality, most technically skilled, older or longest – standing in the team, or the person with strongest vision for the team, even if he or she has no special decision making powers within the team. Two benefits : they have high morale, and they can be very productive.Two benefits : they have high morale, and they can be very productive. 2/17/20165Kuwait Branch

The Hierarchical team There is team leader or manager who makes decisions and carries some responsibility for the team, he is the person who has the most experience.There is team leader or manager who makes decisions and carries some responsibility for the team, he is the person who has the most experience. Very common in large companies.Very common in large companies. Decisions are made high in the chain of command and are communicated downwards to the teamDecisions are made high in the chain of command and are communicated downwards to the team 2/17/20166Kuwait Branch

The Ego - Less team All members are meant to do the former and supposed to have the latter.All members are meant to do the former and supposed to have the latter. No one owns or has any control of any of the tasks within the overall project.No one owns or has any control of any of the tasks within the overall project. Decision making has to take place by consensus since there is no leader.Decision making has to take place by consensus since there is no leader. If team members have different talents, this kind of teams will not make the best use.If team members have different talents, this kind of teams will not make the best use. 2/17/20167Kuwait Branch

Team roles The work under the team falls into two main categories : 1.undertaking or working on the task that the team has been assigned. 2.the management tasks that are required to make the individual members of team function effectively as a team. There is process – related tasks that are defined and carried out by team members having particular roles, these roles will be described as following. 2/17/20168Kuwait Branch

Team roles Allocating team members to roles Team need to agree on who is going to carry out which role in the project. This can be done by : 1.Rotate the roles so that everyone takes a turn and gains experience of different roles. 2.Allocate the crucial roles within the team to people who like to take them. 2/17/20169Kuwait Branch

Team roles The four key team roles are : 1. 1.Team leader 2. 2.Record keeper Report coordinator 4. 4.Progress chaser 2/17/201610Kuwait Branch

1.Team leader : Every team need leader, even in democratic teams where decisions may be taken by the whole team, someone has to take the responsibility to clarify the aims of the meeting and its agenda. And in hierarchical team the leader is someone has strong leadership and decision making 2.Record keeper : Someone who takes notes in meetings – a meeting secretary. He keeps a record of what decisions have been taken, who is doing what, and the date of the next meeting. A summary of the meeting will normally be circulated to the rest of the team. 2/17/201611Kuwait Branch

3.Report coordinator : In project teams, the team secretary take coordinating the production of team documents and reports through managing the different versions of the documents that the team produce. This role could fall to the team leader also. 4.Progress chaser: Someone who monitor progress, ensuring that everyone is doing what they are supposed to, and all tasks need to be completed by particular date on schedule before deadline. 2/17/201612Kuwait Branch

5.Time keeper :- Someone who monitors how long is spent on each item in face-to- face meetings, by using “timed agenda”. 6.Technical director :- Someone whose role is to advise the team upon technical issues can be invaluable, he got the most technically knowledgeable. 7.Process consultant :- Someone who is giving advise on the process of working in a team, he monitor the way the discussions are being conducted and advise other members of the team on ways to be improved. 8.Client liaison :- A team may be engaged on a project that involves liaison with external organization, this liaison with client often clarify exactly what is required by the client. This means that there can be more structured and productive membership between the client and the team. 2/17/201613Kuwait Branch

So which roles do you need ?? 2/17/201614Kuwait Branch

Summary We discussed the ways in which teams can be organized, andWe discussed the ways in which teams can be organized, and The different roles that team members can take on.The different roles that team members can take on.Thanks 2/17/201615Kuwait Branch