Any group of persons or animals can form a team when linked in a common purpose.

Thus teams of sports players can form (and re-form) to practise their craft; and transport logistics executives can select teams of horses or of dogs or of oxen for the purpose of conveying goods.

Theorists in business have popularized the concept of constructing teams artificially for vague or non-existent purposes, thus relegating "team" to the status of a four-letter word. Managers may assemble teams to take advantage of collective behaviours to the potential detriment of individualism.

Compare the more structured/skilled concept of a crew, and the advantages of formal and informal partnerships.