Championship Scrum Teams: The Key to Football Greatness

Building Championship-Level Scrum Teams: Lessons from Football and Tuckman’s Model

So, are you interested in building a championship-level Scrum team?

Even if you think a “Fair Catch” refers to a fishing tournament and a “Flea Flicker” can be handled with a dog collar, there are two things everyone knows—whether you’re a football fan or not. First, the crazy intensity of championship football season is upon us. Second, only the teams that truly prove themselves worthy of this level of greatness rise to the occasion. These teams are not just skilled or lucky; they are the epitome of a Well-Formed Team™. And that’s what sets them apart.

But what does this have to do with Scrum? Plenty. Let’s explore.

Tuckman’s Model: How Teams Evolve to Excellence

Long before Scrum became a popular framework, Dr. Bruce Tuckman introduced the Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing model, which has since become a cornerstone of understanding team dynamics. Tuckman’s model is highly applicable to Scrum teams as they evolve into championship Scrum teams. Every team must progress through these stages to achieve the level of greatness that allows them to function as a cohesive, high-performing unit.

Forming

This stage is where the team is just getting acquainted and starting to understand their roles. The team is still tentative and polite, much like a football team at the beginning of preseason. There is excitement, but little deep understanding.

Storming

Conflict and power struggles arise. Much like a football team sorting through internal conflicts, Scrum teams in the Storming stage are dealing with disagreements, competing ideas, and challenges to authority. This is the make-or-break point for many teams.

Norming

If a team can weather the storm, they move into the Norming phase. Here, they begin to understand each other, agree on processes, and trust starts to build. Just as football teams become more synchronized, Scrum teams start to align on their goals and responsibilities.

Performing

At this stage, the Scrum team has reached peak efficiency. They collaborate naturally, anticipate each other’s needs, and adapt to changes easily. Much like a football team heading into the championship, they are now a Well-Formed Team™, capable of performing at the highest level.

Why Scrum Teams Need Time to Evolve

In football, teams don’t just start out as champions. They need time to evolve through Tuckman’s stages, and the same is true for Scrum teams. It’s a process that organizations often overlook by constantly reforming and disbanding teams at the end of each project. This prevents Scrum teams from reaching the Performing stage, where they can deliver the highest-quality work and truly function as championship Scrum teams.

Maintaining team continuity is essential for creating a high-performing unit. Scrum teams that stay intact and are given the time to evolve through the Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing stages will ultimately produce better results and have more job satisfaction.

For further reading on how team dynamics impact Scrum performance, explore our resources page [link to resources page] and our post on Story Writing in Scrum.

Tired of Monday Morning Quarterbacks?

Just like in football, there are always Monday Morning Quarterbacks—people who second-guess the decisions and performance of Scrum teams without understanding the process they’re undergoing. If you disband Scrum teams too early, they’ll never evolve into the championship Scrum teams they’re capable of becoming.

Conclusion: Scrum Teams Deserve Their Championship Moment

At 3Back, we believe that every Scrum team deserves the opportunity to become a championship-level team. This requires giving teams the time and support they need to progress through Tuckman’s stages. If your organization is ready to elevate its Scrum teams, we’re here to provide the coaching and guidance that can help your teams reach their full potential.

References

Tuckman, Bruce W. “Developmental Sequence in Small Groups.” American Psychological Association. Accessed February 4, 2016. https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/bul/63/6/384/.
Wheelan, Susan A. Creating Effective Teams: A Guide for Members and Leaders. 4th ed., Sage Publications, 2013.
DeChurch, Leslie A., and Mesmer-Magnus, Jessica R. “The Cognitive Underpinnings of Effective Teamwork: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. 95, no. 1, 2010, pp. 32-53.
Sutherland, Jeff. Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time. Crown Business, 2014.
Rawsthorne, White Paper: Well-Formed Team 2012