The team scan model — how does the scan work?

The four characteristics of a successful team 

the teamscan uses a four-phase model. The different phases indicate what aspects a team should ideally work on to improve its collective performance. Teams are at their most successful when they score positively in all four phases. The most logical and effective sequence is from 1 to 4.  

Phase 1: Clear goals and responsibilities 

Phase 2: Proper alignment of the tasks

Phase 3: Good team dynamics

Phase 4: Bringing out the best

For each phase we have formulated a small number of statements that allow us to measure the presence of the relevant characteristic within a team. "This tool is based on a great deal of knowledge and experience.

The team scan model 

The first two characteristics are located "above the surface." This means that they cover concrete, visible matters that are not so challenging to discuss.

The third and fourth characteristics, however, are more "below the surface." These characteristics concern the group dynamics; they concern matters such as trust, openness and the general atmosphere within the team, which are much less tangible and are often more challenging to discuss with each other.

In our experience, teams should be prepared to discuss these issues openly with each other. People want to have clarity about existential questions such as "Who are we?" and "What do we do?" before they can discuss matters in more depth.

Beyond giving insights into these 4 phases, the aim of the team scan is to help teams to take action and improve their team dynamics.  

Above the surface  

• • Clear goals and responsibilities: You can use this aspect to determine whether a particular team is necessary. Does the team have a common goal? And is it clear to everyone in the team how each person contributes to this goal? Answering yes to these questions is what constitutes a team – instead of just a mere group of people. 
  • Proper alignment of the tasks: Only once clear goals and responsibilities are set can senseful coordination of the different contributions of each team member take place. Make sure that the coordinated tasks and responsibilities are best suited to the team and the environment. This characteristic assesses how much the team can collaborate and coordinate itself.  

Below the surface 

• • Good team dynamics: When there is good collaboration within a team, the dynamics of the team are very transparent. This characteristic focuses on group dynamics. What happens when people work together in a group? What patterns, standards and values, etc. have been established and how effective are they? This characteristic is the most comprehensive and forms the largest part of the questions in the team scan. 
  •  Bringing out the best: This final characteristic is the cherry on top. If your team shows the first three characteristics, team members can focus on supporting each other and working on any extras. This can be seen in high-performance teams that independently encourage each other, combine the right qualities and achieve more together than they could individually. 

We understand that reality often is more complex than we can account for in models. The team scan model is therefore only intended as a tool. Regardless of the model, each team should make an additional effort to determine which topics are most relevant for them right now. It is most important for teams to engage in a dialog and to start working on the issues that are most beneficial to focus on.