Team Inspection Checklist
The primary purpose of a car is to transport us from place to place. For our cars to successfully fulfill this purpose, we must invest time and money in caring for them. We keep them full of gas and oil. Occasionally we wash off the grime. And if we are really diligent, we bring them in for routine maintenance recommended by the manufacturer.
Like cars, teams typically have a specific purpose. The majority of the team’s activity should be directly related to that purpose, but not all. Effective teams also require maintenance and routine care.
Your car comes with an owner’s manual that tells you when things should be inspected and/or changed. Here’s an owner’s manual for teams.
Check These Items Constantly
As your team goes about its business, always keep your eyes and ears open for signs of wear and tear. The trick is to notice small symptoms before they grow into big problems. Here are several things to keep an eye on.
- Morale and motivation levels
- How people treat each other
- Follow-through on promises
- The amount of initiative people demonstrate
- Feedback from outside the team
- Your own feelings about being on this team
Check These Items at Every Meeting
Most teams meet to communicate and share ideas. There are things to pay attention to during the meeting.
- Amount of participation
- Who is and isn’t participating
- Efficiency of the meeting
- Promptness of start and stop times
- Level of focus
- Sense of energy in the room
Check These Items at Major Milestones
As the team begins to reach some of its goals and milestones, it is a good time to inspect the following.
- Timeliness of completion
- Conformance to standards
- Customer feedback
- Resources consumed
Check These Items when the Team Disbands
If and when the time comes for the team to disband, looking at these items makes a lot of sense.
- Effectiveness of the process
- Insights and key learnings
- Surprises and disappointments
You want your vehicle to be in tip-top shape so that it can perform its function. This requires care. Teams are no different. They require attention and adjustment. If you inspect them regularly and immediately address any problems you discover; your team will wear gently, perform exceptionally, and give you a comfortable ride.
