Team Topologies

Team Topologies Framework

Core Team Types

1. Stream-Aligned Teams

• End-to-end ownership of a product/service
• Cross-functional composition
• Focus on user value delivery
• Autonomous decision-making

2. Platform Teams

• Provide internal services
• Reduce cognitive load
• Enable stream-aligned teams
• Focus on reliability and usability

3. Enabling Teams

• Specialized expertise
• Help other teams improve
• Temporary or permanent
• Focus on capability building

4. Complicated Subsystem Teams

• Deep technical expertise
• Complex domain knowledge
• Focus on specific subsystems
• Reduce cognitive load

Interaction Modes

1. Collaboration

• Close, real-time cooperation
• Shared goals and responsibilities
• High communication overhead
• Temporary arrangement

2. X-as-a-Service

• Clear service boundaries
• Well-defined interfaces
• Low communication overhead
• Long-term arrangement

3. Facilitation

• Help other teams improve
• Knowledge transfer
• Temporary arrangement
• Focus on capability building

Implementation Guide

First 30 Days

1. Assess current team structure
2. Map team interactions
3. Identify quick wins

60-90 Days

1. Implement new team types
2. Establish interaction modes
3. Define team APIs

Beyond 90 Days

1. Optimize team boundaries
2. Reduce cognitive load
3. Evolve team structure

Anti-patterns

1. Team Silos

❌ Problem: Isolated teams ✅ Solution: Clear interaction modes

2. Cognitive Overload

❌ Problem: Teams doing too much ✅ Solution: Right-size team scope

3. Unclear Boundaries

❌ Problem: Confusion about responsibilities ✅ Solution: Well-defined team APIs

Team Evolution

1. Team API

• Clear interfaces
• Documentation
• Versioning
• Support model

2. Cognitive Load

• Team size
• Domain complexity
• Technical complexity
• Operational complexity

3. Team Boundaries

• Clear responsibilities
• Decision rights
• Dependencies
• Interaction patterns

Integration Points

With Other Practices

• Supports Flow Optimization
• Enables Cost Efficiency
• Drives Mission Delivery

With Tools & Systems

• Team collaboration tools
• Documentation systems
• Monitoring platforms

Related Topics

• Operating Model Overview
• Team Structure
• Flow Optimization

Pro Tip: Focus on team cognitive load and clear boundaries. A team that’s doing too much will struggle to deliver effectively.

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Further Reading

• “Team Topologies” by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais
• “The DevOps Handbook” by Gene Kim
• “Accelerate” by Nicole Forsgren