High Performing Teams And Purpose

What about team purpose? We talk about the team having a goal for a product, a release, a sprint, but is that the team's purpose? And does it matter? I believe it does — deeply.

A sprint goal is a target. A product vision is a direction. But purpose is something more fundamental — it is the answer to the question "why does this team exist?" and "why does what we do matter?" Teams that have a clear and compelling answer to those questions perform differently. They make better decisions, they support each other more readily, and they sustain their energy through difficulty.

Helping a team discover and articulate its purpose is one of the highest-leverage things an Agile Coach can do. It is not a one-time exercise. It is an ongoing conversation that evolves as the team grows and as the work changes. But it is always worth having.