What is the importance of having cross-functional Development Teams?

Having cross-functional Development Teams is crucial because they are capable of handling all aspects of product development without needing to rely on external resources. This self-sufficiency allows the team to innovate and iterate quickly, as they have all the necessary skills and competencies within the team to complete tasks from design, development, testing, to deployment. This independence not only enhances the efficiency of the development process but also fosters collaboration among team members, as they work closely together to solve problems, share knowledge, and improve their work continuously.

The benefit of this arrangement is manifested in several ways. It streamlines communication since the team members are not dependent on outside specialists who might have different priorities or timelines. Additionally, they can respond rapidly to changes and new information, adapting their development process as needed without waiting for outside help. This agility can provide significant advantages in a dynamic market environment, leading to better product quality and aligning closely with user needs.

In contrast, teams that specialize in specific areas of development limit their ability to be versatile and may require coordination with other teams, leading to potential delays and misalignment. Working independently from other teams can also result in silos, which is counterproductive to the agile principles that emphasize collaboration. While creating documentation may be part of a team's responsibilities