GROUND RULES – (TEAM CHARTER)

A team should design and embrace the written ground rules in the project. They
should be added to and revised as and when required. Every project has a unique
team and functional structure.
Hence, Ground rules need to be defined considering project organization in detail
keeping in mind the members of the team. A few factors to be considered are :

-Team location: Location of the team is essential in defining ground rules. A

combination of stationary and virtual teams would require additional ground
rules in order to maintain a discipline.

- Team ethnicity: Consider the ethnicity of the team members and add few
ground rules for effective team work so that there is no discrimination against any
individual/team .

- Project duration: Ground rules are important for any project irrespective of  the
length of the project. Consider the length of the project for defining urgency of
implementation.

- Team skills and expertise: Team members should have a mix of skills and
expertise in the domain to ensure the success of a project.
- Goals – A clear mission for the team, with defined outcomes .
- Client involvement – The outcomes of team work need to be communicated to
the client and other stakeholders so that team and the customer can both achieve
satisfactory levels
The ground rules that are to be followed by all the team members considering the
factors listed above are as follows :-

1) All project team members have the responsibility to proactively notify the project
manager about tasks, duration or dependencies and update the project manager about
the current status of the project on a timely manner .

2) Project team members have the responsibility to notify any difficulties faced in meeting
the schedule for any assigned tasks as soon as it is known by the team member.
3) Each project team member is responsible for ensuring that workload conflicts with
other assignments (if any ) should be brought to the attention of the project
manager. Team members should ask for help if feeling “stuck” or falling behind the
schedule so that it does not drastically effect the timeline of the project .

4) All team members are responsible to follow-up and provide updates on the assigned
task (including any identified risks, issues, changes, approvals, clarification from
managing committee/clients). 

5) Project manager should remain the primary contact for any project related
communication .

6) All the team members shall attend required meetings and conference calls under any
circumstanced.( if unable to attend, meeting organizer to be notified with an advanced
notice.) 

7) All project team members have access to project plan shall remain aware of the
assigned tasks and due dates.
8) All the team members shall play an equal role to the team by contributing equally in the
task given .

9) Any planned day off or vacation must be communicated in advance to project

manager so that project plan can be updated and impact to work (if any) can be
analyzed prior to the deadlines.
10) Each member of the team shall treat each of their colleagues with utmost respect all
the time and shall help each other when needed

11) All the team members must understand the scope of work.  Any work performed must
be in the project plan and is in the project scope.  Anything that is absolutely needed but
not part of the project plan, must be brought into project manager’s attention.
12) The project manager shall be the only one responsible who  submits all final deliverables
to business customer for sign-off or approval .

13) All the team members shall remain honest to each other and shall remain truthful to
the managing committee by proving their loyalty and not sharing any confidential
details related to the project under any circumstances.