A development team refers to the cross-functional group of professionals responsible for working together to develop, test, and deliver increments of a product. This team is self-organizing and autonomous, which means they determine how to accomplish their tasks and meet their goals without relying on a specific hierarchy or management.

A development team typically consists of various roles, including software developers, testers, designers, and other specialists, depending on the nature of the project. The team collaborates closely and shares knowledge, skills, and expertise to ensure that the product increments meet the desired quality and requirements.

In the Scrum framework, a Development Team is one of the three core roles, along with the Product Owner and the Scrum Master. The Development Team is responsible for turning the product backlog items, such as user stories, into potentially shippable increments during each sprint.

Characteristics of a successful Agile development team include:

1. Cross-functionality: Team members have diverse skills and expertise, enabling them to handle different aspects of the project without relying on external resources.
2. Self-organization: The team independently decides how to execute tasks and accomplish goals without being directed by external managers or authorities.
3. Collaboration: Team members work together closely and communicate effectively to share knowledge, solve problems, and make decisions.
4. Continuous improvement: The team regularly reflects on their performance and processes, seeking ways to improve and adapt based on feedback and lessons learned.
5. Focus on delivering value: The team prioritizes delivering high-quality, valuable product increments that meet customer needs and expectations.

By embracing the principles of Agile methodologies, a development team can become more adaptable, efficient, and effective in delivering products that satisfy the needs of their customers.