70). Without a common goal, the team is with out its blueprints and is therefore not a team at all. Unless an agreed upon purpose is found, there will be team members following their own agenda. This straying of focus will only add to the ineffectiveness of a team. .
In order for a team to create and apply a common goal, a team charter must be formed. A team charter is the set of blueprints by which the team is founded and structured. The charter lists the team's goal, resources, commitments, and resolutions. "A good charter creates a recipe or roadmap for the team as it caries out its charge- (Tools for Teams, pg 70). .
The five main aspects of a proficient team charter are: Team formation; mission or task described; resources allocated; membership committed; plans made. Team formation includes what kind of team will be needed to complete the task at hand. Size and management are both features in a team's formation. Once the team is formed, a mission or task is described and a common goal is defined. In order for the charter, and therefore the team to be successful, each member must agree upon the guidelines of the charter, but most importantly the goal. This is an essential characteristic all teams must portray. All members are to be committed to accomplishing the same goal. Once the team is formed, a goal is set, each member is committed, and then plans are made. An outline or map is created, indicating the path ahead to accomplishing the common goal. Resources are part of this plan, as each team member will bring their own expertise and knowledge. Using a diverse array of resources, whether its talent amongst members, or outside sources, is also a key factor in a charter's plan. A solid charter, indicating the team's goal will supply the concrete foundation for any successful team. .
Once the common goal and charter have been created and agreed upon, the team's experience, including personal knowledge and ability, are to be addressed and identified.