The importance of the human element in delivering great software is sometimes overlooked, as is the relationship between team health and team performance. Just like physical health checks, team checkups are important. Let's look at some factors that can affect team health and how you can evaluate the important metrics.

Test automation is not just a bunch of automated scripts to be written and handed off. The scripting process, though important, is just an inner layer embedded deep within the whole. There are several more layers that are important in showcasing the true value of the automated scripts. You need to understand all layers.

There are work items that will give the team an operational boost and perhaps avoid a crisis, but that never make it to the top of the priority list—like build and deployment improvements, or paying down technical debt. For enabling work that is valuable but too invisible to be a priority, consider breaking it down.