Team Alignment Self-Check Quiz

This takes about two minutes. Ten questions, no wrong answers, nothing to sign up for. Answer based on how your team has actually been running lately, not on your best week.

At the end you'll get a read on where your team sits and what usually helps from there.

1. After a typical team meeting, how confident are people about what was decided and what happens next?

Everyone leaves with a shared understanding of decisions and next steps

One follow-up is usually enough to sort out details

It takes several follow-ups before everyone's on the same page

Days later we find out people understood it differently

2. In the past six months, how often have projects been delayed or redone because something got missed or misunderstood?

Rarely (under 10% of projects)

Occasionally (about 10-25%)

Regularly (about 25-50%)

Often, more than half our projects are affected

3. When working across departments or functions and in roles that overlap, how clear are roles and handoffs?

Very clear. Ownership is defined and things rarely slip

Mostly clear. We sort out overlaps as they come up

Often unclear. We spot missed or doubled-up work after the fact

Frequently confusing. Things get dropped or picked up late

4. When a significant decision gets made, how well does the reasoning behind it travel?

The decision and the thinking behind it are both shared openly

People know what was decided, but not always why

Many people go along with it without really understanding it

It's often unclear who decided, or when the decision was made

5. Think about your last few collaborative deliverables. How often do you think, "this would have gone better if we'd sorted it out upfront"?

Rarely. Our process and expectations hold up

Sometimes, and we try to learn from it

Often. We see the gaps in hindsight

Almost every time. It shows in the final product

6. How safe do people feel raising tension, confusion, or concerns?

Very safe. Leaders encourage it and do it themselves

Somewhat safe. Depends on the people and the situation

Rarely safe. People are careful about what they say and to whom

Not safe. Tension stays unspoken or comes out sideways

7. How connected do people feel to the bigger picture?

Strongly. Most can explain how their work supports it

Moderately. It comes up sometimes, but we default to tasks

Weakly. Many are unsure how their work fits in

Not at all. We're focused on getting through the list

8. How would you describe your team's meetings overall?

Focused. We know why we're there and what we're deciding

Mixed. Some are sharp, some drift

Repetitive. We revisit the same things without moving

Draining. Unclear agendas, unclear outcomes, unclear ownership

9. How well does your team balance working independently and working together?

Well. People own their work and know when to pull others in

Fairly well. Occasional overlaps or gaps

Unevenly. Some are siloed, others are stretched across everything

Frustrating. Things get missed and misread often

10. When you work with other teams or units, how does coordination go?

Strong. Communication is proactive, expectations are set

Functional. Minor issues, but the work gets done

Challenging. It takes extra time and emotional energy

Frustrating - miscommunication and misalignment are common