What is Team Topologies?
Team Topologies is a framework by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais that defines four fundamental team types and three interaction modes for organizing engineering teams.
Team Topologies is a framework by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais that defines four fundamental team types and three interaction modes for organizing engineering teams.
Four team types: Stream-aligned (delivers value to users), Enabling (helps stream-aligned teams adopt new capabilities), Complicated Subsystem (owns technically complex domains), Platform (provides self-service internal tools).
Three interaction modes: Collaboration (teams work closely together), X-as-a-Service (one team consumes another's output), Facilitating (one team coaches another).
Team Topologies uses Conway's Law intentionally — designing team structures that produce the desired software architecture.
Why It Matters
Conway's Law means your org chart determines your software architecture. Team Topologies provides a deliberate framework for organizing teams to produce the architecture you want, rather than the one your org chart accidentally creates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Conway's Law?
Conway's Law states that organizations design systems that mirror their communication structure. If you have four teams, you'll get a four-component architecture — regardless of what architecture you intended.
Related Terms
Need Expert Help?
Richard Ewing is a Product Economist and AI Capital Auditor. He helps companies translate technical complexity into financial clarity.
Book Advisory Call →