Building Cross-Functional Pods that Actually Work
Cross-functional pods are meant to increase autonomy and speed—but often, they cause misalignment and thrash. Why?
Because structure matters.
Here’s how to get it right:
- Keep pods stable. Rotate slowly and intentionally.
- Give them a mission, not just a backlog. Purpose drives better prioritization.
- Staff for success. Include the right mix: product, design, QA, engineering—and don’t forget a clear tech lead.
Pods should be small enough to move fast, but big enough to own the problem—not just the solution.