What principle guided a team to stay as one unit instead of splitting into smaller teams due to an increase in members?

The principle that guided the team to stay as one unit, instead of splitting into smaller teams due to an increase in members, is rooted in the concept of being pragmatic. This approach emphasizes practical decision-making over theoretical ideals.

When a team decides to maintain its unity, it often leads to several benefits such as improved communication and collaboration, reduced overhead associated with coordination between multiple teams, and a stronger group cohesion. This is particularly essential in agile environments where continuous collaboration is necessary to ensure that all members are aligned on goals and progress.

By being pragmatic, the team recognizes that a single, larger team can effectively manage complexity and encourage shared understanding over a potentially fragmented approach that might arise from multiple smaller teams. This decision also reflects an understanding of the context and the operational dynamics at play, allowing the team to respond to its situation in a sensible manner.

The other principles mentioned may provide some value in certain contexts, yet they do not directly address the specific situation of team cohesion and the advantages of working as a unified group amidst an increase in team size.