Imagine. Let’s start rethinking Agile transformations. What if Leaders would issue an “Agile statement of intent” instead of attempting another costly framework-driven transformation? How would our life at work be different? Can you imagine the agility innovation that this would spark?
For example, what if a Leader made the following statement:
“For our company to be successful, our teams really need to have a desire for pleasing our customers. Our teams must be able to adapt quickly based on customer feedback when the need arises.
We want our teams to build our customers high-quality products that leverage modern technologies and are maintainable. Ideally, these products are built incrementally and are always in a ready state that allows for demonstration and release.
We also would like our teams to exhibit a spirit of innovation, courageously experimenting with ways to improve our product offering and the flow of value to our customers.
We want everyone to feel respected and edified within a diverse and psychologically safe environment. And most of all, we want our team members to have a healthy work-life balance.
As leaders, we are committed to building an environment such as this to help us all be successful. But we need your help. This is our ask. We cannot do it alone!
Therefore, each team and organization is empowered to figure out the details of what this looks like for your unique situation. We are here to support your endeavors, so please reach out with any questions or concerns.”
A Different World
Imagine a world where each team is empowered to take the above Leadership statement of intent and make it real within their team and organization. We often say, “Trust the team!” Why wouldn’t we say this when it comes to their Agile approach? A few Agile Coaches could even be hired to assist teams in making it real (if needed).
Perhaps some teams address the Leadership statement by trying out some targeted Lean principles and practices. Other teams invent brand new Agile approaches. Still others find that pure Scrum is a good fit, others a modified version of Kanban. HOW they manifest the Leadership statement is up to them! They own the choice and improvement from that point forward.
A few times each year representatives from each team come together and share their Agile innovations and learnings. Teams learn from each other and leave with a few new practices to try within their own teams. Can you imagine the corporate-wide agility improvements?
Imagine a world where the teams are trusted to invent or choose their own approach. What matters is the WHAT – the Leadership statement of intent. Not the HOW.
Imagine a world where the 2-day class certification mill is no longer a thing. Framework debates and method wars become passe. No more costly annual renewals for your ever-growing list of certifications. No more focus on the framework itself instead of solving real flow of value challenges.
Scaling Agile
Yes, it also applies to scaling Agile across teams. Let the teams figure it out. They can read about SAFe, LeSS, Scrum@Scale, DAD, etc. and pick and choose what makes sense for them and most importantly, ignore the rest. The result is a custom tailor-made approach that is fit for purpose and minimizes waste. Imagine that!
Wrap
It is time to begin rethinking Agile transformations. There is no defined start and end date. Agility improvement is a continuous, lifelong endeavor.
Team members and organizations would actually own their own transformation journey (which never ends) instead of being told to follow an installed framework. Imagine that!
For more information on SAFe, go here. To read more on this topic, go here.