Team Charter Draft

What participants gain

• Collaboratively draft a team charter that promotes collaboration, respect, and shared responsibility.
• Develop a shared understanding of team values and principles.
• Enhance communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment.

Materials needed

• Whiteboard or flip chart
• Markers
• Sticky notes
• Collaborative writing tool (e.g., Google Docs)
• Timer

How to run Team Charter Draft, step by step

1. Introduce the activity and its purpose (5 min).
2. Explain the key components of a team charter (values, communication, decision-making, conflict resolution) (5 min).
3. Instruct participants to individually brainstorm ideas for each component on sticky notes (10 min).
4. Facilitate a sharing session where participants present their ideas and explain their rationale (10 min).
5. Guide a discussion to identify common themes and draft a team charter using a collaborative writing tool (10 min).
6. Review the draft charter and ensure it reflects the team's shared values and principles (5 min).
7. Introduce the activity and its purpose.
8. Explain the key components of a team charter.
9. Instruct participants to individually brainstorm ideas for each component on sticky notes.
10. Facilitate a sharing session where participants present their ideas and explain their rationale.
11. Guide a discussion to identify common themes and draft a team charter using a collaborative writing tool.
12. Review the draft charter and ensure it reflects the team's shared values and principles.

Facilitator tips

• Frame the activity as an opportunity to co-create a social contract that will govern team interactions and promote a positive work environment.
• Encourage participants to be honest and open about their needs and expectations.
• Use a collaborative writing tool to capture the team charter in real-time.
• Regularly revisit and refine the team charter throughout the project lifecycle to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with evolving team dynamics.
• Promote a culture of accountability where team members are responsible for upholding the principles outlined in the charter.

Common challenges

• Participants struggle to agree on shared values and principles - Facilitate a values clarification exercise to help the team identify their core beliefs.
• The charter becomes too long and unwieldy - Encourage participants to focus on the most important principles and keep the language concise and actionable.
• Some participants dominate the discussion - Use a talking stick or round-robin approach to ensure everyone has a chance to share.
• The charter is not actively used or referenced - Regularly remind team members of the charter and encourage them to use it as a guide for their interactions.

Running it virtually

Adaptable to Google Docs. Create a shared document where participants can collaboratively draft the team charter in real-time, using comments and suggestions to refine the language and content.

Expected results

A draft team charter outlining shared values, communication protocols, decision-making processes, and conflict resolution strategies.

Build a session around Team Charter Draft

METODIC drops Team Charter Draft into a complete session plan with timing, materials, worksheets, and a facilitator guide — for any workshop, meeting, or team session.

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