Team Commandments

How's your team's teamwork? If there is room for improvement, consider doing what a group at CH2M HILL Hanford Group did. Team members researched characteristics of good teams and drew from past experiences, then distilled their ideas into "10 Team Commandments."

Throughout the project (which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget), people used the principles to praise or gently redirect the behavior of fellow team members. The commandments, which were in the project charter and posted in the project office, made managing people issues easier. Here they are:

 

1. Project goals are understood by all team members, and everyone is committed to completing them.

2. Team members are trusted.

3. Members communicate openly and honestly.

4. A sense of belonging and pride in accomplishments are developed.