As an Agile coaching community, we have gone astray. We have become obsessed with installing frameworks. We lead with frameworks instead of empathy. I'm not preaching, I'm guilty as charged. Now is the time for a great reset within the Agile coaching community. We need to stop leading with framework installations (SAFe, Scrum, LeSS, Kanban, etc.) and get back to the basics of Agile. Ivar [...]
Framework installation vs custom Agile ecosystem - which is better? When we install a framework (Scrum, SAFe, LeSS, DAD, Kanban, etc.) without understanding what the team/organization truly needs, we are creating what Lean calls muda. Muda is waste. Muda in the form of unnecessary meetings, redundant practices, solving non-problems, additional low-value artifacts, new role confusion, change fatigue, ... the list goes on and on. [...]
Ever wonder what the “Young Frankenstein” movie has in common with Agile transformations? Me neither. Until now. While channel surfing recently, I ran into the great Mel Brook’s classic movie. It still holds up today. In summary, some Agile transformations have an “abby normal” brain. Bear with me and I’ll try to explain... Situation - the Abby Normal Brain Dr. Frankenstein’s dimwitted assistant, Igor (pronounced [...]
As Agilists, we preach “We want empowered teams!” But we turn right around and tell the teams to use the Scrum (or Kanban) framework. Why? Because we require corporate-wide Agile approach consistency, and we want to make it easier for when people transfer into a new team. Stop for a moment and realize how utterly stifling this position is to team empowerment. In many ways, [...]
Wouldn’t it be great if there was guidance on how to know if your Agile transformation is doomed to failure? Perhaps a short set of leading indicators or “red alerts” that give us an early warning signal? If we have this, we could react and potentially turn the ship around before it hits the iceberg. It could save millions in cost, time, and effort. Caveat [...]
We all agree that Agile teams should be self-organizing, right? Then prove it. Teams should choose their Agile approach! Why do we pigeonhole teams into either Scrum or Kanban? Instead, why don’t we TRUST the team to self-organize and come up with their own Agile approach that works for them? Instead of dictating a specific Agile method or framework for the team, we should provide [...]
Leaders considering an Agile transformation should reach deep and examine their motives. They should also embark upon this journey with eyes wide open, understanding what they themselves must be willing to do to lead the charge. Let’s start with a gut-check list for leaders considering an Agile transformation: Am I willing to realign people and teams to the flow of value? Am I willing to dedicate [...]
For those of you considering an Agile transformation, here is my advice on your #1 consideration. Ask yourself this question: “Is my organization willing to align to value with cross-functional teams?” The question is about your willingness to realign your organization to value. In my opinion, all other considerations are secondary and pale in comparison to this one. Let’s unpack the question a bit. Alignment [...]
When it comes to seeking help for an Agile transformation, there are Agile Coaches and there are Framework Implementors. If you are considering launching an Agile transformation, you need to understand the difference. Start by asking a potential Agile Coach this question: “How would you engage with us to kick off our Agile transformation?” Real Agile Coach A real Agile Coach will answer the above [...]
As an IT or business leader starting an Agile transformation, the enormity of it can appear quite daunting. The cost can be significant. The risks are real. What if it goes on forever with no real impact to the bottom line? How do I ensure it sticks? These are all valid questions and concerns for a leader about to kick off their Agile transformation. Lead [...]