Self-organization can lead to anything, and it’s therefore necessary to protect people and shared resources and to give people a clear purpose and defined goals.
A self-organizing team must have a shared goal, which can be assigned by the team’s manager.
The best way for the goal to be defined depends on the context but a few ways to help create your goal is to measure it against the SMART principle.
Is your goal?
- Simple
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-Bound
Most importantly is the goal connected to rewards? (not financial ones) and is it communicated well enough that it guides teams in their work?
It’s a good idea to allow a team to define its own autonomous goal and to compromise on that goal.
Self-organizing teams can also benefit from having a clear boundary list, which defines what teams can do by themselves and at what level they are authorised to perform certain activities.
Read on for the other views of Martie:
Energize People, Empower Teams, Develop Competence, Grow Structure, Improve Everything
