Tiimicharter

Tiimicharter is a term used to describe a document that defines how a team intends to work together. It combines the Finnish word tiimi (team) with charter, signaling a formal agreement about a team’s purpose, norms, and operating practices. The concept is often used as a lightweight, living reference in project, product development, or cross-functional work contexts.

The primary purpose of a tiimicharter is to align expectations and reduce ambiguity. It helps new members onboard more quickly, supports consistent decision making, and provides a basis for evaluating whether the team is meeting its stated objectives. A tiimicharter can also serve as a communication tool with stakeholders outside the team, clarifying scope, priorities, and governance.

Key components typically found in a tiimicharter include: the team’s purpose and scope; defined goals or success criteria; roles and responsibilities; decision-making authority and process; meeting cadence and communication norms; conflict resolution and escalation paths; ground rules for collaboration, feedback, and psychological safety; and, where relevant, risk management, dependencies, and key deliverables. Many teams treat the document as a living artifact, revisiting it periodically or after major changes in membership or project direction.

Adoption varies by organization; some embed tiimicharts in broader operating agreements or project charters and store them in shared repositories. While beneficial for clarity and accountability, a tiimicharter requires regular review to remain accurate and useful. See also: team charter, project charter, operating agreement.