Best Practices
Effective standups keep teams aligned and productive. Here are proven practices to make your standups more valuable and engaging.
Meeting Structure
Keep It Short
- 15 minutes maximum - Respect everyone's time
- Stick to the agenda - Avoid deep discussions
- Time-box updates - 1-2 minutes per person
- Use a timer - Keep everyone on track
Clear Format
- What I worked on yesterday
- What I'm working on today
- Any blockers or challenges
Participation Guidelines
Preparation
- Quickly review your status update before the meeting
- Prepare your blockers - be specific about what you need
During the Meeting
- Be concise - focus on key points
- Listen actively - pay attention to others
- Offer help - if you can assist with blockers
- Stay engaged - avoid distractions
Team Dynamics
Facilitation
- Rotate facilitators - share the responsibility
- Encourage participation - make space for quieter team members
- Address blockers quickly - schedule follow-ups if needed
- Celebrate wins - acknowledge achievements
Remote Considerations
- Mute when not speaking - reduce background noise
- Use chat for quick questions - avoid interrupting
- Screen share when helpful - show relevant information
Common Pitfalls
What to Avoid
- Status reports to managers - this is for the team
- Deep technical discussions - schedule separate meetings
- Problem-solving sessions - focus on awareness, not solutions
Red Flags
- Meetings running long - indicates poor time management
- Low participation - may signal disengagement
- Repetitive updates - suggests unclear goals
- Blocker escalation - indicates process issues
Continuous Improvement
Regular Retrospectives
- Monthly reviews - assess what's working
- Team feedback - gather input on format and timing
- Process adjustments - adapt based on team needs
- Success metrics - track engagement and outcomes
Adaptation
- Team size changes - adjust format for larger teams or break up the teams
- Remote work - optimize for virtual collaboration