Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow

by Matthew Skelton

Building and running a software system can be achieved using only four team types. Other team types can be actively harmful to an organization. The four fundamental Team Topologies are: Stream aligned: a team aligned to the main flow of business change, with cross-functional skills mix and the ability to deliver significant increments without waiting on another team. Platform: a team that works on the underlying platform supporting stream-aligned teams in delivery. The platform simplifies otherwise complex technology and reduces cognitive load for teams that use it. Enabling: a team that assists other teams in adopting and modifying software as part of a transition or learning period. Complicated subsystem: a team with a special remit for a subsystem that is too complicated to be dealt with by a normal stream-aligned team or platform team. Optional and only used when really necessary.