What defines formal expectations that guide team members' interactions and their task performance?

The term that defines formal expectations guiding team members' interactions and their task performance is best understood as rules. Rules are clearly articulated principles or standards that dictate acceptable behaviors and procedures within a group. They serve as binding agreements among members, providing a framework for how individuals should interact and perform their tasks to maintain structure and accountability within a team.

In the context of team dynamics, rules help establish order and ensure that all members understand the expectations surrounding collaboration and communication. By delineating these formalized expectations, rules aid in minimizing misunderstandings and conflicts, thereby fostering a more productive and cohesive team environment.

While protocols, guidelines, and standards may also play a role in team dynamics, they often convey a broader or less formal set of expectations compared to rules, which are specifically designed to be prescriptive and authoritative within a team or organizational context.