Assessing Team Flow and Its Outcomes in Work Teams: Validation of the Team Flow Monitor and Quick Scan

Abstract

Research has shown that flow experiences among groups, such as sports teams and music groups, can positively affect group processes and outcomes. However, there has been limited research on the effects of team flow in the workplace, and existing studies have mainly employed a 37-item questionnaire, namely the Team Flow Monitor (TFM), as a basis for measuring team climates and coaching the teams to achieve higher-level performances. Recognizing the need for a more concise instrument, the scientific community seeks a tool that can be easily integrated with other research scales, while practitioners prefer a shorter measure for frequent and convenient assessment. To address this, the present study introduces an 11-item measure of team flow called the Team Flow Quick Scan (TFQS). In addition to validating this measure against the established TFM, this study seeks to replicate the established findings of team flow. While the TFQS measured team flow using a slightly different model from the TFM, the results are consistent with theory and the slightly restricted ability of an 11-item measure to have the sensitivity of a 37-item measure. Ultimately, results replicated the efficacy of the TFM and introduced the TFQS as a viable tool for measuring flow in teams, which can be a powerful aid in helping teams hit their highest performance levels.