Glue teams vs. back-office teams

Overview
This newsletter post discusses the concept of glue teams versus back-office teams within technology organizations. It clarifies how glue teams serve as cross-functional connectors that enable rapid collaboration, while back-office teams focus on maintaining core infrastructure and processes. Understanding the correct role for each type helps leaders allocate resources effectively and avoid costly misalignments.

Key Takeaways

• Glue teams accelerate delivery by breaking down silos and facilitating communication across product groups.
• Back-office teams provide stability, reliability, and compliance for foundational systems.
• Misclassifying a team can lead to scope creep, burnout, or reduced velocity.
• Leaders should assess team goals, metrics, and dependencies before deciding on a glue or back-office model.
• Clear charter and success criteria are essential for both types of teams.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers responsible for structuring their orgs.
• CTOs and VP of Engineering planning scaling strategies.
• Product leaders who need to coordinate across multiple squads.
• Technical leads evaluating team charters and KPIs.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Team Topologies (stream-aligned, enabling, platform, and complicated-subsystem teams).
• Agile delivery practices for cross-functional collaboration.
• DevOps principles for back-office reliability.