High-performing resonant teams thrive at the edge of chaos—the balance between order and flexibility that fosters creativity, learning, and productivity. In this new TEHS chapter, Dr. Jeff Sutherland explores how combining HRV (Heart Rate Variability), criticality, and AI-driven coaching helps teams optimize performance while avoiding burnout. By staying in the “edge of chaos,” teams can stay agile, adaptive, and productive, moving toward peak performance without compromising health or quality.
You can listen to the whole episode in Spotify.
What’s inside:
- Criticality in Scrum. The chapter introduces the concept of criticality from complexity science, which shows that teams work best when they balance order with chaos. Scrum, by its nature, thrives when teams remain in this optimal zone, where structure and unpredictability coexist. This balance allows teams to iterate quickly, respond to change, and maximize learning outcomes.
- HRV and team flow. HRV plays a crucial role in maintaining team flow and energy. By monitoring HRV levels, Scrum teams can optimize their pacing, avoid burnout, and improve recovery. This chapter shows how HRV data from wearables can guide decisions on workload, helping teams maintain consistent performance while avoiding excessive stress.
- AI-driven insights. Artificial Intelligence can help Scrum teams analyze real-time data on communication patterns, workload distribution, and HRV. Using this data, AI provides recommendations on cadence, pacing, and feedback loops to keep teams agile and adaptive. The chapter discusses how AI enhances Scrum practices by giving teams the tools to adapt in real-time and perform at their best over the long term.
Who benefits:
- Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches will learn how to leverage HRV and criticality to optimize team performance while avoiding burnout.
- Team Leaders can use AI-driven insights to fine-tune workflows and ensure teams maintain a sustainable pace.
- Researchers and Engineers will benefit from using AI, HRV, and complexity theory to improve team efficiency and Scrum.
Interested in exploring how resonant teams can drive peak performance and sustainable productivity?