How to Pick a Project Team

Read this article in ComputerWorld. According to the author,

• A great project team requires more than technical skills. It takes the right mix of "soft" skills, personalities and attitudes to gel and achieve results.
• If you have to choose between specific skills and attitude, go for attitude.
• The riskier the project, the more diversity you need in the team.
• Don't settle with the first idea without exploring the alternatives.
• It's helpful if team members have worked together before because it requires energy and time to build a good team.

The ideal project team should have

1. The Architect: who knows how things could be done and never stops with the first solution.
2. The Facilitator: who helps the team get to closure. Works closely with Architect.
3. The Devil's Advocate: the troublemaker,the questioner;forces the group to defend its direction.
4. The Bid-Idea Guy: who comes with “out there“ solution.
5. The Anchor: who knows what will and won't work and what can and can't get through the bureaucracy.
6. The People Guy: who understands how typical users behave and provides reality checks for the team.