Team Size. Find Out What’s Right for Your Business and Why.

A common question that managers often have when building new teams, is what is the right team size and why. This has been a question of interest for many managers over many decades. Some researchers have recommended four or five people as being the right team size, but the real answer is that it is probably not as simple as that.

The team size theory

Many researchers argue that six is the right team size. And why? Well, they provide theories that over a certain number of people it is difficult to coordinate and keep track of the team. Others argue that if the team is too big, some will surf along for the ride and not play their part in achieving the work of the team. These are interesting theories, but not necessarily accurate.

 

More likely, the right team size (and why) will depend on what your team needs to accomplish. It is more important to have the right skill set on board rather than deciding on a specific number of team members and bolstering it up to that, or making it as small as that if that number is not appropriate for your team. Factors that come into determining the right team size depend on the roles of the team, the activities they have to undertake, your expectations of them and the level of interconnectedness of the team.

 

Ultimately, many researchers will tell you that between five to seven people is the right team size. However, it is far more important that your team can perform its functions than going for an optimal size. Nonetheless, beyond 12 and the team may start getting difficult to manage. Up to 12 however, and it should be possible for you to be able to coordinate the team activities and have everyone work together effectively.