Concepts
1. Collective Performance versus Individual Performance:
The main differentiating factor between a team and a working group lies in how their performance is evaluated.
In a team, performance is assessed collectively. This means that the success or failure of a task or project is shared by all members. For example, in a Scrum development team, if a software product is successfully developed and deployed, the credit goes to the entire team, not just the Scrum master or the product owner. Conversely, if the project fails, the whole team shares the responsibility.
On the other hand, in a working group, members are individually accountable for their work. They might be working on the same project, but their individual performances are evaluated separately.
| – | Team | Working Group |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Collective | Individual |
| Example | Success of a deployed software product in a Scrum development is shared | Individual works are separately evaluated |
2. Leadership and Roles:
In a team, especially referring to the Scrum team, leadership is largely shared. The Scrum master, for instance, is not the conventional leader but a servant-leader, facilitating and making sure everyone understands Scrum theories and practices. The role rotation is a practice fairly common in Scrum teams to avoid monotony and stimulate creativity and learning.
In contrast, a working group usually has one designated leader who takes decisions and guides the work process. The members have defined roles and very rarely diverge from their specified job descriptions.
| – | Team | Working Group |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | Shared and rotate | One designated leader |
| Roles | Common; often rotate | Well defined |
3. Dependency Nature:
A team is typically characterized by mutual dependency. In a Scrum team, for example, the work of the design team is heavily dependent on the insights provided by the testing team and vice versa. They need to work synchronously to reach the final deliverable.
In working groups, however, there is sequential dependency. One team member finishes his/her part of the project and hands it over to the next member, creating a kind of ‘relay race’. The progress of the project depends on the completion of the previous task.
| – | Team | Working Group |
|---|---|---|
| Dependency | Mutual | Sequential |
In conclusion, while both teams and working groups have their unique advantages, the CSD exam mandates a clear understanding of these differences as Scrum principles are primarily applied to a team-based structure. A good handle on this distinction will certainly provide an impetus for your Scrum master journey.
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: The task of a working group is generally dispersed, while a team works toward a common goal.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: This is one of the key differences between a working group and a team. A team is bound by a shared objective, while jobs in a working group are often more individualized.
Multiple Choice: What is true about responsibility in a team and a working group?
- A. In a team, the responsibility is shared, while in a working group it is individual.
- B. In a working group, the responsibility is shared, while in a team it is individual.
- C. In both a team and a working group, the responsibility is individual.
- D. In both a team and a working group, the responsibility is shared.
Answer: A. In a team, the responsibility is shared, while in a working group it is individual.
Explanation: Members in a team share responsibility and work collectively towards a common objective. In a working group, individuals are responsible for their parts only.
True or False: Teams usually hold regular meetings, while working groups do not.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Both teams and working groups hold regular meetings, but the nature of the meetings may differ. The focus in teams is usually on collaboration and shared goals.
Multiple Choice: How does conflict resolution differ in a working group and a team?
- A. Working groups avoid conflict, while teams solve conflicts as they arise.
- B. Teams avoid conflict, while working groups solve conflicts as they arise.
- C. Both teams and working groups avoid conflict.
- D. Both teams and working group solve conflicts as they arise.
Answer: A. Working groups avoid conflict, while teams solve conflicts as they arise.
Explanation: Teams usually have established ways of dealing with conflict, as their success depends on the cohesion between members. In working groups, conflicts are often avoided to keep the individual workflow going.
True or False: A team is generally more effective than a working group for complex projects.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Teams are generally more efficient at dealing with complex projects, as they bring together diverse resources and approaches, and promote a shared understanding of goals and processes.
Which of the following is a main characteristic of a ‘team’?
- A. Work is dispersed amongst individuals.
- B. Effectiveness is measured by individual output.
- C. The performance of the group is more than the sum of its parts.
- D. Lack of collective work towards a common goal.
Answer: C. The performance of the group is more than the sum of its parts.
Explanation: A characteristic of a team is that the group’s combined performance exceeds the sum of the individual efforts.
Multiple Choice: Which one of the following is not a characteristic of a working group?
- A. High individual accountability.
- B. Group performance equals the sum of individual performances.
- C. Group performance exceeds the sum of individual performances.
- D. Members focus on individual goals, not team goals.
Answer: C. Group performance exceeds the sum of individual performances.
Explanation: Unlike teams, the performance of a working group is equal to the sum of the individual performances, not greater.
True or False: Feedback and learning in a team is continuous, while in a working group it is often sporadic.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Teams focus on continuous learning and improvement. This is not always the case in working groups, where feedback is often provided on an individual basis.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following statements is true about leadership in a working group and a team?
- A. Leadership in a team is shared, while in a working group it is generally held by one person.
- B. Leadership in a working group is shared, while in a team it is generally held by one person.
- C. Leadership is shared in both teams and working groups.
- D. Leadership is held by one person in both teams and working groups.
Answer: A. Leadership in a team is shared, while in a working group it is generally held by one person.
Explanation: One of the main characteristics of a team is that leadership is often shared, to varying degrees, amongst members. It contributes to the feeling of shared responsibility and commitment to the team’s goals. In a working group, leadership is usually held by one individual.
True or False: Team members need a higher degree of interdependence than members of a working group.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Team members are often interdependent, relying on each other to achieve a common goal. Members of a working group, however, work more independently on their individual tasks.
Multiple Choice: What forms the foundation of a team?
- A. Independent work
- B. Individual accountability
- C. Trust and respect
- D. Individual leadership
Answer: C. Trust and respect
Explanation: Trust and respect form the foundation of a team, leading to strong relationships, efficient communication, and effectively achieving common objectives.
True or False: Teams and working groups function best in different contexts.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Depending on the context, either a team or a working group might be more effective. While teams are great for complex tasks requiring creativity and problem-solving, working groups can be more efficient for independent tasks requiring less coordination.
This is a great post about the differences between a working group and a team, especially in the context of Certified Scrum Developers.
Thanks for summarizing the differences so clearly!
One key difference I noticed is that working groups tend to focus on individual accountability, while teams emphasize mutual accountability. Anyone else agree?
Can someone explain how decision-making differs between a working group and a team?
Awesome blog post! It helped me understand the distinctions more clearly.
I appreciate the insight on shared goals in teams versus individual goals in working groups.
Not sure I fully agree with everything. I think a working group can also have shared goals in some contexts.
Very informative post! Thanks for sharing.