A nice alternative framework to Tuckman's Stages of Team Development that uses more accessible language.
- Falling behind: if each week, backlog is longer than the week before. Folks are working hard but not much progress, low morale, and users vocally dissatisfied.
- Treading water: able to get critical work done, but not paying down tech debt or start new things.
- Repaying debt: starting to pay down tech debt, that was made from trying to catch up.
- Innovating: tech debt sustainable, higher morale, work is satisfying new user needs.