Team Topologies describes four team types: Stream-aligned, Platform, Complicated-subsystem, and Enabling teams that will help in improving the way of working for software teams in bringing value to the customers. It enables the organizational adoption of DevOps and avoids delays due to unclear responsibilities.
Basically, it is centered on speedier delivery, lesser cognitive load, and collaboration across teams. Using ideas such as CI/CD, reduced hand-offs, and DORA metrics allows teams to improve their performance, fix problems much faster, and create high-quality software more efficiently.
What is Team Topologies?
Team Topologies, from the influential team topologies book, outlines patterns for structuring software engineering teams. These notes explore four fundamental team types. They aim to improve organizational design for modern software development. Understanding this framework helps implement DevOps practices. It fosters faster value delivery and better team collaboration. This framework is essential for efficient operations.
Types of Team Topologies
Team Topologies types can look different based on a company’s size and maturity. In practice, teams often blend multiple types or shift from one type to another as they grow, which usually leads to better results.
Stream-Aligned Teams
These teams focus on one impactful stream of work. This includes a product, service, or user journey. They build and deliver customer value quickly. Stream-aligned teams operate independently. They do not require hand-offs to other teams. They are closer to the customer and often agile. These teams incorporate feedback into development. They also maintain software in production. Stream-aligned teams are the most common type.
Platform Teams
Platform teams enable stream-aligned teams. They provide significant autonomy for delivery. Platform teams offer internal services. Stream-aligned teams use these services. They create capabilities for many stream-aligned teams. This minimizes cognitive load and resource use. Platform teams also build cohesive user experiences. They provide documentation, support, and consultation.
Complicated-Subsystem Teams
A complicated-subsystem team builds and maintains specific system parts. This requires particular skills and knowledge. Team members are specialists in certain areas. This team reduces the burden on stream-aligned teams. Specialists handle complex subsystems. These may include microservices, algorithms, or AI. Embedding these specialists in every stream-aligned team is inefficient.
Enabling Teams
Enabling teams to bridge capability gaps. Stream-aligned teams often lack time for learning new skills. Enabling teams to research and experiment. They suggest tools, frameworks, and ecosystem choices. This gives stream-aligned teams time to evolve capabilities. Their focus is on problems, not just solutions. An enabling team should not create permanent dependencies.
Characteristics of Team Topologies
Effective stream-aligned teams display certain attributes. They aim to produce a steady flow of features. They use Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) for frequent releases. These teams adapt quickly to feedback. They use experimental approaches and feature flags.
Minimal hand-offs ensure fast delivery. Automated processes support seamless workflow. Teams also address code quality and technical debt. They use trunk-based development and CI/CD practices. Capacity planning includes dedicated time for technical debt. Finally, they are evaluated by the right metrics.
DORA Metrics for Team Success
DevOps teams use specific metrics to measure success. The DORA metrics are crucial.
- Deployment Frequency: How often an organization successfully releases to production.
- Lead Time for Changes: Time taken for a commit to reach production.
- Change Failure Rate: Percentage of deployments causing production failures.
- Time to Restore Service: Duration to recover from a production failure.
High-performing, stream-aligned teams also monitor other attributes. These include balanced teams and shared understanding. They focus on value and managed dependencies.
FAQs
- What are the four core Team Topologies team types?
The four core Team Topologies team types are Stream-aligned, Platform, Complicated-subsystem, and Enabling teams. - What is the main goal of a Stream-aligned team?
A Stream-aligned team aims to deliver customer or user value quickly and independently. They focus on a single, impactful stream of work. - How do Platform teams support other teams?
Platform teams provide internal services. These services enable stream-aligned teams to deliver work with substantial autonomy. - What are DORA metrics used for?
DORA metrics measure DevOps success. They include deployment frequency, lead time for changes, change failure rate, and time to restore service. - What is the purpose of an Enabling team?
An Enabling team helps stream-aligned teams acquire new capabilities. They research and suggest tools, bridging skill gaps and increasing autonomy.