Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) is a course which is intended to bring about an in-depth understanding of various concepts in Scrum and Agile methodologies. One such concept concerns the difference between a team and a working group. These terms may sound similar, however, there are distinct differences which determine their functionality and outcome in a project’s context.
Understanding Teams
A team, in Scrum context, is a small group of people who have a shared goal and the autonomy to decide how to achieve it. They work together to accomplish a set of objectives, and use their shared skills to produce output.
For instance, in a software development project, a team could comprise of a Scrum Master, product owner, developers, and testers. They work together collaboratively on all aspects of the project, from designing to coding and testing.
In a Scrum team, members share a high degree of interdependence, mutual accountability, and collective responsibility for outcomes.
Understanding Working Groups
In contrast, a working group is a collection of individuals who come together to achieve a specific task, but operate more independently, with each member being responsible for their own contributions.
For instance, in a large organization, you may have a working group composed of members from different departments (like sales, marketing, HR, operations) coming together for a project but mainly working independently on their own piece of the task.
The key characteristic of a working group is that there is no collective responsibility or dependency. Individual members are accountable for their tasks and there is usually no shared performance systems or rewards.
Differences Between Teams and Working Groups
| Parameter | Team | Working Group |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Shared goals and objectives | Individual goals and tasks |
| Interdependence | High degree of interdependence | Low dependence, individual contributions |
| Responsibility | Collective responsibility | Individual responsibility |
| Decision-Making authority | Autonomy and shared decision-making | Individual decision-making |
| Leadership | Shared leadership roles | One single leader |
Conclusion
In conclusion, teams and working groups are both essential structures within an organization or a project, each suited to different types of tasks. A Scrum Master, especially one who is advanced certified, should have a strong understanding of the difference between the two, in order to effectively mobilize and manage resources in a Scrum context.
While teams are designed for complex, interdependent tasks requiring high collaboration, working groups are more suited for simpler tasks where individual contributions add up to the total output. Understanding these differences allows the Scrum Master to structure the work environment efficiently, and lead their organization towards success.
Practice Test
True/False: A team is more accountable than a working group.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In a team, members are accountable to each other and contribute towards common objectives, while a working group consists of individuals who work independently and are individually accountable.
Multiple select: What is one of the defining characteristics of a working group?
- A) Interdependent tasks
- B) Individual goals
- C) Shared leadership roles
- D) Specific goals
Answer: B) Individual goals & D) Specific goals
Explanation: A working group consists of individuals working towards individual goals within their specific areas of expertise.
Single select: How is a team structured in a Scrum framework?
- A) Shared leadership
- B) Hierarchical leadership
- C) No leadership
- D) Autocratic leadership
Answer: A) Shared leadership
Explanation: In a Scrum team, leadership is shared among members with no one person having complete control, fostering collaboration and empowering team members.
True/False: Working groups have a higher degree of complexity than teams.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Teams tend to have a higher degree of complexity because they work on interdependent tasks with shared goals and leadership, unlike working groups.
Multiple select: What are the characteristics of a team when compared to a working group?
- A) Shared goals
- B) Individual accountability
- C) Interdependent tasks
- D) Separate tasks
Answer: A) Shared goals & C) Interdependent tasks
Explanation: Teams work towards shared goals and have interdependent tasks, creating a need for cooperation and coordination among members.
Single select: Who is primarily accountable in a working group?
- A) The entire group
- B) The group leader
- C) Each individual for their work
- D) No one
Answer: C) Each individual for their work
Explanation: In a working group, although there may be mutual influence, there’s no absolute collective accountability. Each individual is responsible for their work.
True/False: Teams are usually less flexible than working groups.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Teams can be more flexible as leadership and roles are shared, enabling the team to pivot as required by the project.
Multiple select: What is true about a team?
- A) Tasks are distributed based on individual skills
- B) Members are mutually accountable
- C) Project direction is decided by the team collectively
- D) Only one team member leads the project direction
Answer: A) Tasks are distributed based on individual skills, B) Members are mutually accountable, C) Project direction is decided by the team collectively
Explanation: Teamwork requires distribution of tasks based on individual skills, mutual accountability for collective outputs, and shared decision-making for the project.
Single select: In a Scrum setting, which of the following is more likely to exist?
- A) Working group
- B) Team
- C) Neither
- D) Both
Answer: B) Team
Explanation: The Scrum framework is designed for teams where there is shared leadership and collective responsibility for the team’s output.
True/False: Performance is measured individually in a team.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In a team, performance is evaluated based on the team’s collective results rather than on individual outputs.
Interview Questions
What is the principal difference between a team and a working group?
A team is a group of individuals who collaborate to achieve common goals while sharing resources and responsibilities. In contrast, a working group is a collection of individuals who share information and perspectives and make decisions to help each member perform within his or her area of responsibility in the most effective way.
How does decision-making differ in a team versus a working group?
In a team, decisions are made collectively and require consent from all members. In a working group, on the other hand, members make decisions independently, focusing on their individual tasks and responsibilities.
Can you mention a key organizational difference between a team and a working group?
A crucial organizational difference is that a team often has a leader who is accountable for the team’s overall outcome and performance, while in a working group, all members are individually responsible for their results.
How does the distribution of work differ between a team and a working group?
In a team, work is generally divided among members based on their skillset to achieve the shared objective. In a working group, each individual has individual tasks to perform within their area of responsibility.
What denotes a higher level of interdependence, a team or a working group?
A team has a higher level of interdependence compared to a working group. In a team, members depend on each other to achieve shared objectives, whereas, in a working group, members primarily work on individual tasks.
In terms of the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification, why is understanding the difference between a team and a working group important?
In Scrum, understanding the difference between a team and a working group is crucial because it affects how work and responsibilities are divided, how decisions are made, and the overall dynamics of the group. As a ScrumMaster, it’s essential to recognize these differences for team building and fostering collaboration effectively.
How does accountability vary between a team and a working group?
In a team, members are mutually accountable for achieving shared goals. However, in a working group, each member is primarily accountable for individual results and has less concern for the collective outcome.
What happens to a member’s individual performance and progress in a team compared to a working group?
In a team, individual performance and progress may often blend into the overall team outcome. However, in a working group, a member’s individual performance and progress are more visible and can be separately evaluated.
Describe the synergy between members of a team and a working group
In a team, there is a high degree of synergy; the combined efforts of the team can lead to superior results compared to individual efforts. On the contrary, in a working group, the output is often the sum of individual efforts with less synergy.
Why is understanding the difference between a team and a working group critical for conflict resolution?
Understanding the difference is crucial because in a team, conflicts may need to be resolved collaboratively, and solutions are expected to benefit the team as a whole. In a working group, conflicts are often addressed individually and do not require team-wide resolutions.
Can you identify which often requires more time for coordination and communication, a team or a working group?
Teams typically require more coordination and communication due to shared objectives and interdependencies between tasks. In working groups, members may work independently, needing less time for coordination and communication.
In terms of the A-CSM exam, why is it crucial to differentiate a team from a working group when managing the Scrum framework?
The differentiation is crucial because the Scrum framework primarily focuses on team collaboration. Understanding whether you are dealing with a team or a working group will affect Scrum implementation strategies, including project planning, roles distribution, and conflict resolution.
According to the Scrum Guide, who carries out the work in a Scrum team?
According to the Scrum Guide, the Developers within the Scrum Team carry out the work needed to achieve the objective of the specific Sprint.
In terms of leadership roles, how do they vary between a team and a working group?
In a team, leadership is often shared or rotated among members, while in a working group, a single individual may maintain ongoing leadership.
Does a ScrumMaster manage a team or a working group in the Scrum framework?
In the Scrum framework, a ScrumMaster generally engages with a team, fostering its self-organization and cross-functionality, and helping them create high-value products.
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