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Team norm

As explained in Think Like a Software Engineering Manager

A team norm is an agreed expectation governing how team members communicate, collaborate, and work together.

Remote and hybrid teams work across distance, time zones, and differing work arrangements. A team norm is an agreed expectation for communicating, collaborating, and working together; without clear norms, subjective interpretations can obstruct effective collaboration. section 3.2.5

Make norms practical by connecting them to everyday team routines:

  • Schedule regular one-on-one meetings and team check-ins to understand motivation and support social connection without micromanaging. section 3.2.5
  • Use video when helpful for human connection, and give conversations full attention instead of multitasking. section 3.2.5
  • Support reliable participation through suitable work-from-home equipment, internet connectivity, and security compliance. section 3.2.5
  • Create opportunities for in-person connection, such as shared office time or lunch meetings, when teams use hybrid arrangements. section 3.2.5

A useful operating context

A hybrid team may combine shared office days with remote work. Clear expectations about meetings, attention, check-ins, and connection reduce subjective interpretations while leaving room for different locations and time zones. section 3.2.5

How Think Like a Software Engineering Manager covers it

How deep it goes
Defines the role of clear norms and gives supporting practices, but does not provide a formal norm-setting process.
Examples
Uses remote and hybrid arrangements, regular check-ins, video meetings, focused attention, infrastructure support, and team events.
What you can do after
Operate/configure remote or hybrid collaboration around explicit expectations and supporting routines.
How it connects
Connects team norms with remote teams, hybrid teams, vision, purpose, collaboration, time zones, and productivity.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Think Like a Software Engineering Manager. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.