Way of Working: the agreements your Agile team needs

What does Way of Working mean in an Agile context?

Way of Working (WoW) refers to the collection of agreements and principles a team uses to collaborate, solve problems, and achieve results. In an Agile context, it's about how team members communicate with each other, which processes or ceremonies you use (for example, Daily Scrums or Kanban stand-ups), and how you make decisions. A clear WoW prevents misunderstandings and ensures consistency in how you develop, test, and deliver.

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The importance of a clear WoW

A team without a clear Way of Working often remains confused: who makes the final call on certain issues, how are user stories actually translated into tasks, and when is something 'done'? Without clear agreements, the team wastes time on unnecessary discussions and collaboration falters. A well-defined WoW clarifies responsibilities, communication channels, and workflow, enabling your team to work faster and more efficiently.

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Why many Agile transformations fail without a clear WoW

Teams that don't translate Agile principles into their own specific working agreements often revert to old patterns. Consider:

• Lack of ownership: No one feels responsible for bottlenecks, because it's unclear who handles what.
• Uncoordinated communication: Team members work in silos or don't know who to turn to.
• Wasted time in unclear processes: Meeting after meeting without a concrete goal, or items that remain stuck indefinitely.

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How do you define and implement an effective WoW?

1. Start with a workshop: Invite the entire team to collaboratively determine which agreements are needed regarding, among other things, Daily Scrums, refinement sessions, task distribution, and decision-making.
2. Capture everything in one central place: Whether it's a digital document or a poster in the team room, ensure everyone can easily consult the WoW.
3. Review and revise regularly: Don't set the WoW in stone; after each sprint or retro, you can see what can be improved.

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Checklist for effective Way of Working agreements

• Clear role distribution: Who does what (Scrum Master, PO, team)?
• Communication channels: What do you communicate about on Slack/email, and what do you discuss face-to-face?
• Definition of Done and Definition of Ready: Are these criteria clear to everyone?
• Ground rules for meetings: How much time, who needs to be present, what is the goal?

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Benefits of a clearly aligned WoW within teams

• Improved collaboration: Team members know what to expect from each other.
• Faster Decision-Making: Documented processes clarify how decisions are made.
• Higher Productivity: Less time is lost due to unnecessary coordination or misunderstandings.
• Continuous Improvement: When the WoW is transparent, the team can identify areas for refinement during retrospectives.

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Practical Examples and Templates

• “Team Charter”: A 1-page document outlining core values, goals, roles, and workflows.
• “Working Agreements Board”: A Kanban-style board that displays the DoR (Definition of Ready) and DoD (Definition of Done), along with other agreements.

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Conclusion

A well-defined Way of Working takes Agile principles and translates them into concrete agreements within your team. This prevents confusion and fosters the self-organization you strive for in an Agile environment. Whether you're just starting with Scrum or have been working with Kanban for a while, a clear WoW keeps everyone aligned and lays the foundation for effective, enjoyable collaboration.

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