Hey everyone,
In my Agile class, a question popped up that struck a chord. It was about those “feature ownership” battles that can erupt in organizations with multiple dev teams (or PODs). You know the drill: a new feature emerges, multiple PODs could take it on, but no one wants to. Everyone’s got their own goals, and the feature gets lost in the shuffle.
This reminds me of that time when I was working on a project with a cross-functional team. We were building a new website feature, and there was this constant back-and-forth between the design team and the development team. Designers wanted pixel-perfect visuals, while developers were focused on functionality and deadlines. We ended up with a delayed launch and a less-than-stellar product. Ouch!
That’s why I’m passionate about helping teams navigate these challenges. So, let’s explore some strategies to turn those “turf wars” into teamwork triumphs!
1. Clear Ownership: Knowing Your Lane
Think of a soccer field. Each player has their position, right? Imagine the chaos if everyone just ran around randomly! Same goes for PODs.
We need to define each POD’s “territory” – their area of expertise. This means:
- Domain Mapping: Get specific about which POD owns which functionalities. One POD might handle user authentication, another payments, and so on.
- Collaboration Guidelines: Set clear rules for when PODs need to work together. This could look like:
- Consultation: A POD must consult with the “owning” POD before making changes to their domain.
- Shared Sprints: Dedicate time for cross-POD collaboration.
- “Guest Developers”: Temporarily embed a developer from one POD into another for smoother integration.
2. Prioritize with Purpose: The Big Picture
When conflicts arise, zoom out.
- Strategic Alignment: Does the feature support company goals? Which POD is best suited to contribute to that goal?
- Objective Assessment: If it’s a toss-up, get objective.
- Impact: Which POD can deliver the greatest positive impact?
- Effort: Which POD can implement it with the least disruption?
3. Collaboration: Building Bridges
PODs can sometimes feel like isolated islands. Time to build bridges!
- Incentivize Collaboration: Recognize and reward cross-POD teamwork. This could be:
- Shared Success Metrics: Track and celebrate achievements that involve multiple PODs.
- Peer Recognition: Encourage teams to acknowledge each other’s contributions.
- Open Communication: Create a culture of transparency.
- Cross-POD Meetings: PODs share roadmaps, identify overlaps, and brainstorm solutions.
- Shared Documentation: A central knowledge base for technical decisions and code examples.
4. The Wise Oracle: Escalation
Sometimes, you need a tiebreaker.
- Designated Decision-Maker: Empower someone to make the final call when PODs can’t agree. This prevents endless debates and keeps things moving.
Key Takeaways:
- Flexibility: Don’t let the process become rigid. Adapt as needed.
- Celebrate Successes: Highlight the wins that come from collaboration.
By weaving these strategies into your company culture, you can transform your PODs from potential rivals into a collaborative dream team!
P.S. How do you foster collaboration? Share your thoughts in the comments! Let’s learn from each other.
