Quality work teams that are based on W. Edwards Deming's business-management theories have proliferated at the school and district levels to handle problem solving and decision making. Teams are said to build stronger relationships among those involved in education and, ultimately, to benefit students because more people with broader perspectives help to shape a stronger educational program. This digest explains why schools are using quality teams. It also identifies the most common types of teams, the factors necessary for success, the best strategies for forming a team, and common reasons for their failure. Teams are most likely to be successful when members understand the team's mission, their roles, and the group process, and practice good communication skills. (Contains seven references.) (LMI)