The Dream Team Nightmare

Rise from the Ashes

While the team divides up into subgroups and people take turns reviewing one another’s estimates, you review the list of risks and questions associated with each of the delivery options.

You recognize the rise and fall of excited voices around you as the sound of self-organization.

As you look around the team space, you notice the remarkable transformation that has taken place this week. Without any fanfare, the team has shifted from Tuckman’s storming stage to the norming stage in a matter of days. Sometimes such a transition can take groups months or even years. Or it may never happen at all.

The increased focus on shipping the next release has brought team members back together in spite of their differences. There’s ...