When a new person joins the team, they lack the historical context to interpret many of the choices, decisions, and messages in play.
In a simple analogy, they have entered the television series at episode 20 and have no understanding of what has transpired in episodes 1-19. Giving them this context pays big dividends as they ramp up faster and learn to navigate the organization with more accuracy and speed.
To solve this problem, many of the best teams invest in a Team or Organizational Roadmap. Like any other chronological map of history, this roadmap lists the significant dates and events that most shaped the organization. In addition to the historical mile markers tracing the route, the map lists the learnings, lessons, and values which the team adopted as a result of each event.
Creating the Roadmap is an instructive and engaging exercise that can involve the entirety of the current team. As team members debate what counts as a significant event and the lessons associated with it, everyone learns something new, including founders and early members.
Once the Roadmap exists, it is not uncommon to see it displayed in a team room or elsewhere to remind the team of the peaks, valleys, and hard work that produced the current state of affairs.
While Team Roadmaps need to be updated every few years, once they exist, numerous team members can share and explain the map to new colleagues. The benefits of giving new colleagues the big picture are legion.
Consider creating and sharing a Team Roadmap to facilitate this understanding. If you want new team members to take the journey with you, give them the lay of the land when they join. Without a map, it’s easy to get lost. A clear roadmap gives new colleagues a compass to find their way.
