Suppressed and Generated Demand: Growth Challenges for Teams
The hidden demand issue teams face in high-growth environments.
1What is Suppressed Demand?
Suppressed demand occurs when teams stop asking for help, leading to a hidden workload. This happens when teams reach capacity and can no longer handle new requests. In high-growth environments, this is common and negatively impacts team performance.
2How Generated Demand Forms
Generated demand arises when a team's successful work is noticed. Previously suppressed demand turns into actual demand due to the team's effectiveness. This results in teams quickly facing a heavy workload again.
3Challenges Teams Face
Suppressed and generated demand can demoralize teams. Even though teams have taken the right steps and delivered valuable work, they face a heavy workload again. This can shake the team's motivation and belief.
4Example: Customer Operations Team
The Customer Operations Team didn't exist a year ago, and tasks were distributed to a larger team. However, after forming their own team and delivering successful projects, demand increased. Now, the team's workload is heavier than a year ago, and they struggle to meet requests.
5Solution: Repeating Cycles
The solution to this problem is to go through repeating cycles. Teams must repeat these cycles until the entire backlog of suppressed demand is surfaced. This process helps teams increase their capacity and become more effective in the long term.
6Leadership and Conviction
In this process, leaders must ensure the team believes they are on the right path. Understanding that the emergence of suppressed demand is a normal process is critical for maintaining motivation among teams and leadership.
Original article: Irrational Exuberance — Baskılanmış ve Üretilen Talep: Ekiplerin Büyüme Zorlukları