Session 7.3 - Being on a Team: Communication
Chapter 17: Being on a Team | Duration: 1 hr
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Communicate status and issues succinctly
- Run/participate in effective meetings
- Maintain visibility to reduce coordination risk
- Use data and artifacts to communicate, not just opinions
Introduction
Teams falter when communication is weak. Chapter 17 highlights structured, concise communication and the role of weekly cadence in keeping everyone aligned.
Effective Communication
- Be concise, factual; avoid hand-waving—show data.
- Listen actively; confirm understanding.
- Use agreed formats (WEEK, status, CCRs) to reduce ambiguity.
Meeting Practices
- Agenda + timebox; start/stop on time.
- Decisions and owners recorded; minutes filed.
- Encourage participation; surface blockers.
Status Visibility
- Share WEEK data, progress vs. plan, and risks weekly.
- Make work visible: tasks, defects, CCRs, test results.
- Visibility reduces surprises and enables help early.
Summary
- Structured, concise communication keeps teams aligned.
- Meetings need agenda, timeboxing, decisions, and recorded actions.
- Visibility via data and artifacts prevents hidden problems.
- Consistent cadence (weekly) anchors coordination.