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Corporate Culture19 min read
Team Topologies
by Matthew Skelton & Manuel Pais
Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow
Published: October 10, 2023
3.1 (98 ratings)
Table of Contents
1
what’s in it for me? unlock the secrets to optimizing software delivery.2
rethinking the organizational library for modern workflows3
mastering the workshop: tailoring teams to the task4
unlocking efficiency with the four fundamental team topologies5
crafting digital metropolises: how software architecture mirrors city planning6
optimizing team interactions for effective software delivery7
final summaryBook Summary
This is a comprehensive summary of “Team Topologies” by Matthew Skelton & Manuel Pais. The book explores organizing business and technology teams for fast flow.
what’s in it for me? unlock the secrets to optimizing software delivery.#
Introduction
in a bustling city square, imagine watching hundreds of artists simultaneously trying to create a single mural.
each has a brush, a vision, but there's no coordination.
the result is a chaotic jumble of colors and shapes, with each artist undoing or overlapping another's work.
similarly, in the digital realm, teams working on software projects often face challenges when they lack proper structure and understanding of each other's roles.
much like those artists, they can end up stepping on each other's toes, slowing down delivery, or even delivering products that don't meet expectations.
at the heart of this issue lies the need for understanding how team structures, their interactions, and their aligned goals can harmonize to produce optimized software delivery.
in this chapter, you'll learn how the right team topologies foster agility, the significance of defining software boundaries with a team-first mindset, and the strategies to align team structures with evolving needs for effective software production.
ready to add some clarity and direction to your software delivery?
let's go.
rethinking the organizational library for modern workflows#
rethinking the organizational library for modern workflows imagine walking into an old, massive library, each book an accumulation of knowledge, and each shelf a department.
however, as you walk through the aisles, you notice something is off.
some books are misaligned, some are gathering dust, and others are constantly in use.
this metaphorical library closely mirrors modern organizations.
the solution is not just to reshuffle the books, but to rethink the library's entire layout to meet its visitors' evolving needs.
traditional organizational charts, much like our old library's layout, no longer serve their purpose.
they fail to capture the real dynamics of work and communication.
this mirrors what's known as conway's law, which postulates that software architecture and team communication patterns go hand in hand.
thus, the structure and interaction modes of teams must mirror the software systems they aim to build.
just as you wouldn't want to overload a bookshelf, it's important to consider a team's cognitive load when distributing tasks.
overburdening leads to inefficiency.
to navigate this complexity, consider a new organizational framework.
imagine four distinct team types, each with a clear objective.
the first, the stream-aligned teams, are akin to the librarians who curate and present books for the visitors.
platform teams, on the other hand, ensure the library's infrastructure, from the digital catalog systems to the seating arrangements.
the enabling teams, like the expert researchers, provide tools and knowledge, while complexity-breaking teams handle those rare books that require special attention.
the dynamics of how teams work together are crucial.
some teams actively work hand in hand, while others provide distinct services without needing deep interactions.
additionally, certain teams take on the role of guiding others, ensuring they have the right tools and knowledge.
just as in a library, where not every librarian interacts with every researcher or every visitor requires a guided tour, effective team communication needs to be streamlined to prevent chaos and maintain focus.
then there's the software architecture.
just as the library has different sections and shelves, the software has modules.
designing for limited, purposeful team interactions gives rise to modular, decoupled systems.
this allows teams to work more autonomously, like a visitor independently finding their way through clearly marked sections in our reimagined library.
finally, the emphasis is on teams rather than individuals.
in the realm of software delivery, a coordinated group outshines a single expert.
but there's a balance.
teams, just like study groups in our library, should remain small enough for effective communication and cognitive load management.
even the physical space should be optimized for fostering collaboration within these boundaries.
to thrive in today's complex, ever-evolving digital landscape, you must adopt a dynamic, team-first approach.
ponder this.
if your organization were a library, how would you redesign its aisles, shelves, and services for optimal visitor experience?
mastering the workshop: tailoring teams to the task#
monitoring the workshop, tailoring teams to the task.
picture yourself as an artisan, crafting bespoke furniture.
one day, you decide to transition from making chairs to intricate, multifunctional furniture sets.
do you randomly select tools or sporadically adjust your workstation daily?
or rather, set up a purpose-driven workspace, selecting the right tools and processes specific to the demands of your new venture.
similarly, designing software isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavor.
slapping together ad hoc teams or constantly shuffling the deck can turn the software delivery process into a chaotic mess, much like a cluttered workshop.
just as the craftsman would carefully select the right tools for the job, the blueprint for team structures should be deliberately crafted to cater to the specific needs of a project.
however, there isn't a universal, magical team structure that works for everyone.
each organization, based on its unique context, might discover that what works wonders for one might spell disaster for another.
beware of the trap of the universally right team.
just like the craftsman who knows that a particular chisel might be excellent for intricate carvings but useless for other tasks, you need to recognize the importance of suitability.
parameters like the technical and cultural maturity, the scale of the organization, the scope of the software, and the depth of engineering discipline play pivotal roles.
take the feature team and product team pattern.
picture this as a group of artisans who specialize in crafting specific parts of a larger set.
they might produce individual pieces faster and with higher quality, but their efficiency isn't independent.
they rely on a supportive environment, like readily available raw materials, or in the software world, infrastructure as a service and platforms.
and much like the wisdom of one artisan might aid another, these teams often lean on the expertise of their peers.
furthermore, just as an artisan might benefit from dedicating separate days to designing, carving, and polishing, it can be beneficial to split a team's focus.
narrowing down responsibilities can, in many cases, break down the barriers that hold back efficiency.
it's about turning broad strokes into fine, focused craftsmanship.
in your journey, as you pivot, scale, or refine your processes, always remember the artisan's lesson.
build your teams with intentionality, match the context, be aware of dependencies, and adapt.
here's another question.
in a world constantly evolving, how will you ensure your team structures remain agile and context-aware?
unlocking efficiency with the four fundamental team topologies#
unlocking efficiency with the four fundamental team topologies have you ever attended a grand orchestra performance?
did you notice how the room resonated with the harmonious symphony of different instruments, each player understanding their role perfectly?
just as the conductor ensures each musician knows their part for a particular piece, modern software teams operate in a similar cohesive manner.
in this technological orchestra, we have distinct team topologies that make up our ensemble, ensuring that software development is a harmonious process.
first, there are stream-aligned teams.
these are akin to the violinists of an orchestra.
often leading the melody, these teams are in perfect alignment with the work's flow, driving forward with the primary goal of delivering value swiftly and independently.
then there are the enabling teams, the guiding mentors of our ensemble.
imagine a seasoned musician guiding a newcomer.
these teams serve to help others overcome challenges, providing the necessary tools and expertise to accelerate performance.
next, the complicated subsystem teams step in when intricate expertise is required, much like a solo from a rare or distinct musical instrument.
these teams handle the complex segments, ensuring that the software ensemble doesn't miss a beat.
lastly, the platform teams lay the foundation.
think of them as the steady rhythm of the bass and drums, setting the pace for everyone else.
they offer essential services, which other teams utilize to perform their parts efficiently.
the concept might sound theoretical, but it has real-world applications.
consider the journey of sky betting and gaming.
this uk-based enterprise started its innovative track in 2009, embracing agile methodologies inspired by the spotify squad model.
as their symphony grew more intricate with scale, they faced challenges, especially with their platform team becoming overwhelmed.
their solution?
transition to a platform feature team model.
in this approach, individual teams took ownership of distinct platform capabilities.
they began operating similarly to product teams, fostering independence.
this mirrored our orchestra, where each section, be it woodwind or strings, can practice on their own yet seamlessly merge to create a cohesive melody.
in essence, the evolution witnessed at sky betting and gaming underlines the significance of adaptive, purpose-driven team structures.
their shift from a singular platform to specialized feature teams emphasizes the value of understanding and adeptly using team topologies.
envision your team structures as this orchestra, each section playing in harmony.
understand your instruments, ensure each player knows their role, and bask in the cohesive symphony of efficient software delivery.
crafting digital metropolises: how software architecture mirrors city planning#
crafting digital metropolises.
how software architecture mirrors city planning.
imagine you're tasked with designing a sprawling metropolis from scratch.
this isn't just about aesthetic appeal.
every road, bridge, and building should enable the seamless flow of traffic and foster community ties.
much like this city planning analogy, architecting software requires holistic forethought, not just for the immediate technical needs, but for the team's maneuvering through its digital avenues.
the software landscape, like this imagined city, is expansive.
in an ideal urban setting, neighborhoods possess distinct characters, services, and roles, ensuring inhabitants intuitively know where to go for their needs.
translating this to software, it becomes evident that boundaries should align with a team's capabilities and familiarity.
just as city residents thrive when they feel ownership and a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods, software teams excel when they have autonomy and clear ownership of their domain.
pushing teams into narrow roles like front-end or back-end without considering their broader capabilities is like assigning city folks to specific districts based solely on their professions.
this restrictive approach creates cumbersome handoffs and obstructions, much like placing needless tollbooths on a city's main thoroughfare.
however, in both cities and software ecosystems, there are often hidden challenges.
a city might grapple with outdated sewage systems or poorly maintained public transport, leading to inefficiencies.
in the software realm, these challenges manifest as hidden monoliths.
they're not merely extensive codebases, but can span shared databases, inflexible builds, or even uniform office plans that stifle creativity.
addressing these barriers is paramount for maintaining momentum and ensuring teams can operate without friction.
an essential principle in urban design is aligning infrastructure with the inhabitants' lifestyles.
the software counterpart to this is using business domain-defined boundaries.
drawing from domain-driven design, this approach ensures that software sections mirror the core essence and complexities of the business, much like city districts reflecting its residents' culture and needs.
yet it's essential to understand that rigidly adhering to one design philosophy can be limiting.
just as unique urban challenges might require innovative planning solutions, software might sometimes necessitate alternative boundaries, especially when dealing with legacy systems or distinct user personas.
to circle back to the city analogy, a thriving metropolis owes its success to the harmony between its structures and its people.
every road, park, and plaza should serve and elevate the experiences of its residents.
in the digital realm, this translates to creating software landscapes that are intuitive, flexible, and conducive to the teams navigating them.
as you map out your next project, remember to prioritize these inhabitants, ensuring that every digital alley, junction, and boulevard enhances their journey.
optimizing team interactions for effective software delivery#
optimizing team interactions for effective software delivery successfully piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle is about understanding and alignment.
each unique piece represents a function, a team, or a strategy, and together, they form the vivid image of an efficient software organization.
navigating these intricacies is a delicate balance that hinges on understanding the ways in which teams interact, evolve, and sense the environment.
when teams come together, it's much like fitting together that perfect jigsaw puzzle.
some teams mesh closely, operating in tandem to discover the broader goals, yet too much closeness can sometimes blur the intended outcome.
other teams stand out with their distinct contributions, easily slotting into the bigger picture, ensuring swift progress when the outlines are well-defined.
and then, there are those teams that ensure everything aligns just right, assisting in creating the final masterpiece efficiently.
now, as we dive deeper into the puzzle, it becomes necessary to use different pieces or team strategies simultaneously.
this mirrors how in a sprawling puzzle landscape, certain areas, like the sky or the sea, might take shape quicker, while others need more intricate work.
understanding when to change strategies, like recognizing when you need to refer back to the puzzle's box for a clearer picture, is essential.
adjusting team topologies and interactions as requirements shift ensures the broader image remains coherent and beautiful.
just as no puzzle piece is an island, teams within an organization are interdependent.
and much like how a misfit puzzle piece can distort the image or halt progress, organizational inefficiencies, like slow delivery or outdated systems, need timely identification and rectification.
this agility is what ensures the organization's mosaic remains vibrant and relevant.
operations in a company, like the final pieces that fill in the gaps of our puzzle, give the finished image clarity and completeness.
they act as the feedback mechanism, ensuring the broader picture remains in line with the intended outcome.
in wrapping up this tapestry of understanding, these principles are the guiding hand and the keen eye that ensures each piece of the puzzle finds its rightful place.
it's about gauging the weight each piece brings, utilizing the inherent organizational rules, mapping out the primary segments, and staying nimble to the winds of change.
in essence, the brilliance of successful software delivery is in piecing together the multifaceted organizational puzzle.
each principle, strategy, and interaction mode is crucial to craft a cohesive, efficient, and harmonious organization.
as in any intricate jigsaw challenge, start with understanding each piece's unique shape and design, lay out the broader framework, ensure seamless integration, and always be ready to adapt, ensuring the final picture is as intended – magnificent and cohesive.
final summary#
Conclusion
the main takeaway of this chapter to team topologies by matthew skelton and manuel pais is that mastering team structures and interactions is pivotal to optimizing software delivery.
by prioritizing team needs, recognizing vital streams of work, building robust platforms, and nurturing adaptive interactions, organizations can thrive in an ever-evolving tech landscape.
embrace these insights and watch your teams flourish and innovate like never before.
thanks so much for listening.
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