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Teams that focus on assessment and development can improve effectiveness


3 January 2024

Analysis of data from over 1000 teams working with Affina Organisation Development (AOD), has found significant improvement across all aspects of team working, when teams take part in team assessment or development activities.

A new study of data from teams that monitor their performance using validated team assessments has found significant improvements in all aspects of team working. The analysis was conducted on data from 1052 teams by Dr Thomas West (University of Bristol) and Dr Pascale Daher (University of Liverpool).

The researchers compared ratings from a baseline assessment with those taken when the team was reassessed using the same tool at a later date. In most cases an intervention of some kind took place between the two assessments.

“We found a statistically significant improvement in team working, irrespective of the time between the two assessments or the type of intervention,” says Dr Daher (pictured).

“When we looked at three aspects of team working that distinguish ‘real’ teams from pseudo teams (team objectives, team reflexivity and team interdependence.), we also found an upward distribution of assessment scores. This means teams are better placed to achieve sustainable team effectiveness.”

While the link between effective team working and organisational performance is well researched, the authors suggest this new analysis helps us to understand the extent to which teams can improve their effectiveness through team assessment and development.

The full report – AOD – An analysis of 1000+ team assessments 2023 – can be downloaded here.

You can hear Professor Michael West’s thoughts on the findings here (opens video in YouTube).

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