A tiger team is a team of specialists assembled to work on a specific goal, [1] or to solve a particular problem. [2]
STRIDE [3] is a modern evolution of the traditional tiger team concept, designed to address complex, cross-functional challenges within organizations through rapid, focused, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The acronym stands for Solutions Team for Rapid Interdisciplinary Delivery, emphasizing both the speed and collaborative nature of the initiative.
STRIDE teams are assembled to tackle urgent or high-impact problems that require expertise from multiple domains. Unlike traditional project teams, STRIDE teams have the following characteristics:
Time-bound: Formed for a specific duration to solve a defined problem.
Cross-functional: Composed of members from various departments or disciplines.
Outcome-driven: Focused on delivering actionable solutions quickly.
Empowered: Given the autonomy and resources needed to make decisions and implement changes.
Key characteristics are the following:
Agility: STRIDE teams operate with minimal bureaucracy, enabling rapid iteration and decision-making.
Diversity of Thought: By bringing together individuals with varied backgrounds and expertise in their field, STRIDE fosters innovation and holistic problem-solving.
Clear Mandate: Each team is given a specific mission, success criteria, and timeline.
Leadership Support: Executive sponsorship ensures alignment with organizational goals and access to necessary resources.
STRIDE teams have been used effectively in the following:
A 1964 paper entitled Program Management in Design and Development used the term tiger teams and defined it as "a team of undomesticated and uninhibited technical specialists, selected for their experience, energy, and imagination, and assigned to track down relentlessly every possible source of failure in a spacecraft subsystem or simulation". [2] Walter C. Williams gave this definition in response to the question "How best can advancements in reliability/maintainability state-of-the-art be attained and used with compressed schedules?" Williams was an engineer at the Manned Spacecraft Center and part of the Edwards Air Force Base National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
The paper consists of anecdotes and answers to questions from a panel on improving issues in program management concerning testing and quality assurance in aerospace vehicle development and production. [4] The panel consisted of Williams, Col. J. R. Dempsey of General Dynamics, [5] Lt. Gen. W. A. Davis [6] from the Ballistic Systems Div., Norton Air Force Base, A. S. Crossfield from North American Aviation.
The STRIDE model builds upon the legacy of Tiger Teams, which originated in the aerospace and defense sectors, notably during NASA's Apollo program. While Tiger Teams were often reactive—formed in response to crises—STRIDE teams are both proactive and reactive, designed to address emerging opportunities as well as urgent challenges.
The term STRIDE was coined to reflect a more structured and scalable approach to interdisciplinary problem-solving in modern organizations, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and public policy.