Holacracy Project Circles
Self-Organizing Teams for Maximum Agility and Autonomy
What Are Project Circles?
Project Circles are a central element of the Holacracy model at Elasticbrains. They are autonomous, self-organizing teams responsible for a specific project or function and have the authority to make their own decisions without constant coordination with management.
Structure and Functioning of Project Circles
Circle Hierarchy
The Holacracy model organizes circles in a nested hierarchy. Each circle is part of a larger circle and can itself contain smaller sub-circles. This structure enables both autonomy and alignment between different levels of the organization.
Role Distribution
Within a circle, different roles are defined that have specific responsibilities and authorities. Each circle has at least these core roles:
- Lead Link: Represents the interests of the parent circle and assigns roles to team members
- Rep Link: Represents the interests of the circle in the parent circle
- Facilitator: Leads meetings and ensures Holacracy processes are followed
- Secretary: Manages records and organizes meetings
Decision Making
Decisions are made using the consent principle. This does not mean everyone must agree, but that there are no reasoned objections. This process enables quick decisions that still consider the expertise and concerns of all team members.
Dynamic Development
Circles and roles are not static but continuously evolve based on the needs of the project and team. In regular governance meetings, team members can propose changes to the structure and roles.
Benefits of Project Circles
Clear Responsibilities
Through clearly defined roles and responsibilities, every team member knows exactly what they are responsible for and what is expected of them.
Autonomy and Self-Organization
Teams can make decisions independently, leading to faster response times and higher motivation.
Transparent Processes
All decisions and processes are transparent and traceable, promoting trust and clarity in the team.
Adaptive Structure
The circle structure can quickly adapt to changing requirements, which is particularly beneficial in dynamic projects.
Example Project Circle at Elasticbrains
Digital Transformation Project
Client: Medium-sized Industrial Company | Project Duration: 8 Months
For a complex digital transformation project, we established a project circle with the following structure:
Lead Link
Responsible for the strategic direction and budget of the project, as well as communication with the client at strategic level.
Product Owner
Responsible for prioritizing requirements and daily communication with the client.
UX/UI Design
Responsible for user experience and visual design of the solution.
Development
Responsible for technical implementation, divided into frontend and backend.
QA & Testing
Responsible for quality assurance and testing of all features.
Facilitator
Responsible for adherence to Holacracy principles and leading meetings.
Through clear role distribution and autonomous decision-making, the project was successfully completed on time despite changing requirements. The transparent processes were also highly appreciated by the client, as they always had a clear overview of project progress.
Implementing Project Circles
Introducing project circles requires a clear structure and processes. At Elasticbrains, we follow these steps:
Define Circle Scope
Defining the purpose, responsibilities, and boundaries of the circle based on project requirements.
Identify Core Roles
Determining the necessary roles within the circle and clarifying their responsibilities and authorities.
Train Team Members
Introduction to Holacracy principles and the specific processes of the circle.
Establish Meetings
Setting up regular governance and tactical meetings with clear structures and protocols.
Continuous Improvement
Regular review and adjustment of circle structure and processes based on team experiences and needs.
Ready for a New Organizational Structure?
Contact us for a non-binding conversation about Holacracy and project circles.