What is usually the first step in deciding the team's way of working?

Analyzing the context is a foundational step in deciding a team's way of working because it involves understanding the unique circumstances in which the team operates. This includes the team's environment, culture, objectives, and specific challenges they face. By gaining insights into the context, the team can identify factors that will influence their processes, practices, and interactions.

Understanding the context allows for tailored approaches to be developed rather than applying generic frameworks. This ensures that the decisions made in terms of practices and methodologies are relevant, effective, and aligned with the specific needs of the team and organization. By doing this first, teams can later make informed initial choices and effectively coordinate their actions.

This step is critical because it sets the foundation for everything that follows in the development of a team's way of working. Without this contextual understanding, subsequent steps may not align well with the team's realities, which can hinder their effectiveness.