Expectations
Concrete activities
Ongoing reconciliation of expectations
What?
An activity where the intention is to anticipate misunderstandings and counterproductive work by aligning and harmonizing expectations on an ongoing basis.
Why?
When there is a need for us to know each other's expectations for the joint task, and each other's expectations for the benefit to be created and for whom.
The activity can help to ensure that there are aligned goals between partners. This is both when there are internal or external circumstances that make it necessary to change expectations.
In LB, expectations and goals often change in Agile, which makes it more necessary to hold continuous polls.
How?
Arrange a dialogue internally in your own group, or with another group where expectations are formulated and possibly commented on. Write down the expectations, and then gather the threads into an overall expectation for the task, which can subsequently be subdivided into expectations for the individual parties in the case.
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Having a common agenda for the possible meetings, e.g. through a common point in the calendar, can help ensure the internal voting and that everyone comes prepared to the meetings.
Who?
The activity can be done by anyone in a group (at all organizational levels), but it is recommended to involve local leaders.
Set boundaries
What?
An activity to express the boundaries of a group. The activity clarifies the boundaries of the group's tasks, responsibilities and criteria for success.
Why?
When there is a need for us to become more aware of our limits to each other.
The activity can help to set limits/frameworks for specific goals, thereby creating a common direction within the area that can ensure timely completion.
How?
Make room for the activity at one of your meetings. Draw a picture of a box. Everything that belongs to your group must be written down in this box. Draw a larger box around it, for things that don't belong. Now let group members write down tasks, areas of responsibility etc. on post-it notes and place the elements while you openly discuss their placement.
This makes the tasks visible and it creates the opportunity to better coordinate, handle several tasks at the same time and other players can be brought in to help in time.
Who?
The activity can be performed by everyone in a group (at all organizational levels).
However, this requires that the right planning is present.
Team Blueprint
What?
An activity to clarify goals, processes and boundaries for a group. Brings clarity within the group and gives the group a foundation and a language to enter into dialogues with other groups about cooperation.
Why?
When expectations need to be clearly defined.
By making stakeholders' intention, role and responsibility visible, understanding/community is created to achieve a common goal.
By having a continuous delivery reconciliation, a reconciliation of expectations is ensured.
How?
Arrange a discussion in your own group, where you discuss and define a 'Team Blueprint': your purpose, context, goals and the like. Arrange a meeting with members from another group and explain your Team Blueprint to them. Listen to their questions and their feedback.
This makes it possible to bring the right skills together in a timely manner.
Who?
The activity can be performed by everyone in a group (at all organizational levels).
For more complex compositions, or in larger gatherings, it may be necessary to have a neutral facilitator.