Team Charter

The Team Charter is a collaborative tool that allows teams to define their mission, values, and collaboration rules together. It aims to foster alignment and mutual engagement by clarifying expectations and establishing a common framework for work. Particularly useful when forming a new team or after a reorganisation, it helps build a solid foundation for successful collaboration.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction and Objectives

   10 min

   The facilitator begins by explaining the objective of the workshop: to co-create a team charter that will define the mission, values, and collaboration rules. They emphasise the importance of this exercise for the team's alignment and engagement. Next, they present the workshop's structure and the expected outcomes.

   Tip — Use a concrete example of a team charter to illustrate what participants will create.

2. 2

   Defining the Team's Mission

   20 min

   The facilitator invites participants to reflect individually for a few minutes on the team's mission. Then, each participant shares their ideas with the group. The facilitator facilitates the discussion to converge towards a common mission, ensuring that every voice is heard.

   Tip — Encourage the use of action verbs to formulate a dynamic and inspiring mission.

3. 3

   Identifying the Team's Values

   20 min

   Participants are divided into small groups to discuss the values that should guide their collaboration. Each group proposes a list of values, which is then shared in plenary. The facilitator helps the team consolidate these proposals into a final list of common values.

   Tip — Provide value cards to stimulate reflection and facilitate selection.

4. 4

   Establishing Collaboration Rules

   30 min

   In small groups, participants discuss the collaboration rules they consider important. They reflect on aspects such as communication, decision-making, and conflict management. Each group presents its rules, and the facilitator guides the discussion to create a coherent set of rules for the team.

   Tip — Ask open-ended questions to explore the reasons behind each proposed rule.

5. 5

   Finalising the Team Charter

   15 min

   The facilitator compiles the mission, values, and collaboration rules into a single document. They read the charter aloud for validation by the team. Participants can suggest adjustments if necessary. Once validated, the charter is shared with everyone for future reference.

   Tip — Use an online collaborative tool to facilitate the drafting and sharing of the charter.

6. 6

   Commitment and Next Steps

   10 min

   The facilitator asks each team member to personally commit to respecting the charter. They discuss the next steps for integrating the charter into the team's daily routine and propose scheduling a regular review to ensure it remains relevant.

   Tip — Suggest a simple ritual, such as signing the charter, to symbolise everyone's commitment.

Variants

• Use sticky notes for each participant to anonymously write an important value and stick them on the wall for discussion.
• Include a step where each participant shares a personal story illustrating a value they consider important.
• Organise a charter review session after a few months to adjust it based on the experiences gained.