Agile Experiment - Experimenting is not knowing exactly where you are going, but collecting as much feedback as possible and then defining the next steps. What you think up in detail in advance may already be outdated before you actually start working on it. But how do I actually do that myself as an Agile coach? Do certain patterns creep in with me that do not always yield the best results for the customer? To find out, it was time for a 'practice what you preach' experiment.
Experiment – with clients and trainers
Because we also want to stay sharp at ABB, we decided to organize a two-day pilot training “Scrum Master Advanced” with a group of enthusiastic customers and trainers. Because, if you work every day as an Agile coach, a little self-reflection can't hurt and there is nothing better than learning about your approach from customers and other experience experts.
Sharing knowledge is multiplying and discovering new truths
At the beginning of March the time had come and we started working with a nice group, full of energy. The main goal was to learn from each other. We did that according to the Japanese Shu-Ha-Ri model:
● Shu - Follow the rule. This means that you follow the technique of your teacher or coach.
● Ha – Break the rule. In this phase, new perspectives on a problem are sought and you learn from other 'masters' within the group.
● Ri – Be the rule. The student has become master, because he or she has formulated a new truth from different principles and points of view to tackle the challenge well.
Self-reflection to perform better
For all participants, including myself, it was extremely instructive and useful to spar with like-minded people about what we are doing on a daily basis. As an Agile coach, I sometimes fall into the trap of wanting to start real coaching too soon. In that case I do a little too fast or a little too much “Ha and RI”, while it might be better to go back to base first and make sure it really lands first. Slightly longer attention, so SHU was my lesson.
Another example is that the first morning we were transmitting too much based on theoretical insights. You have probably also been in a workshop or training where only 'theory' was shared. It provides guidance, especially when you do something new, but it is an example of something that has been thought of in advance and can therefore not always be called Agile.
Agile is looking for the right mix of theory and practice
When transferring knowledge, fixed principles and theories are often adhered to because you simply need them to obtain a certificate or diploma and to have something to hold on to when starting the new way of working. After the insights of this first morning, I decided to approach the setup of the training a bit more Agile and to adjust the program on the spot. It was time for energy from the group and after lunch we went into smaller groups to share practical knowledge and experiences and we interwoven the PDCA (plan, do, check, act) cycle into the experiment itself in blocks. We saw later in the feedback from the participants that this was the right choice.
Especially the awareness of the phase you are in as a Scrum Master was extremely useful for everyone. It provided insight into when a coaching, advisory or facilitating role is most appropriate.
What has it brought us?
Besides two great fun and educational days with a great group of people, we also learned a lot from it.
This Agile experiment made us decide to proceed with two formats:
1) A Scrum Master Class (for mutual knowledge exchange between experienced Scrum Masters where practical challenges are shared and discussed. So that extra tools are provided from both the group and the Agile coach to take on these challenges themselves).
2) A Scrum Master Advanced Training (for participants who want to better understand the basic principles, where the practice is reflected on the basis of the theory and insights are gained to better prepare yourself for an exam)
Would you like to participate?
Would you like to participate in one of our experiments next time? Let us know via the Contact Form!
Response Danijel Rakovic, Cofra Holding
"These were 2 interesting days in which we really went back to the basics of scrum. But we also went in depth, with issues from practice. The best thing was that it was largely organized as a kind of workshop with in between questions could be asked. In addition to the general scrum concepts, we also discussed what to expect during a PSM 2 exam, this gave me a lot of confidence towards the exam."
Agile Experiment - Experimenting is not knowing exactly where you are going, but collecting as much feedback as possible and then defining the next steps. What you think up in detail in advance may already be outdated before you actually start working on it. But how do I actually do that myself as an Agile coach? Do certain patterns creep in with me that do not always yield the best results for the customer? To find out, it was time for a 'practice what you preach' experiment.
Experiment – with clients and trainers
Because we also want to stay sharp at ABB, we decided to organize a two-day pilot training “Scrum Master Advanced” with a group of enthusiastic customers and trainers. Because, if you work every day as an Agile coach, a little self-reflection can't hurt and there is nothing better than learning about your approach from customers and other experience experts.
Sharing knowledge is multiplying and discovering new truths
At the beginning of March the time had come and we started working with a nice group, full of energy. The main goal was to learn from each other. We did that according to the Japanese Shu-Ha-Ri model:
● Shu - Follow the rule. This means that you follow the technique of your teacher or coach.
● Ha – Break the rule. In this phase, new perspectives on a problem are sought and you learn from other 'masters' within the group.
● Ri – Be the rule. The student has become master, because he or she has formulated a new truth from different principles and points of view to tackle the challenge well.
Self-reflection to perform better
For all participants, including myself, it was extremely instructive and useful to spar with like-minded people about what we are doing on a daily basis. As an Agile coach, I sometimes fall into the trap of wanting to start real coaching too soon. In that case I do a little too fast or a little too much “Ha and RI”, while it might be better to go back to base first and make sure it really lands first. Slightly longer attention, so SHU was my lesson.
Another example is that the first morning we were transmitting too much based on theoretical insights. You have probably also been in a workshop or training where only 'theory' was shared. It provides guidance, especially when you do something new, but it is an example of something that has been thought of in advance and can therefore not always be called Agile.
Agile is looking for the right mix of theory and practice
When transferring knowledge, fixed principles and theories are often adhered to because you simply need them to obtain a certificate or diploma and to have something to hold on to when starting the new way of working. After the insights of this first morning, I decided to approach the setup of the training a bit more Agile and to adjust the program on the spot. It was time for energy from the group and after lunch we went into smaller groups to share practical knowledge and experiences and we interwoven the PDCA (plan, do, check, act) cycle into the experiment itself in blocks. We saw later in the feedback from the participants that this was the right choice.
Especially the awareness of the phase you are in as a Scrum Master was extremely useful for everyone. It provided insight into when a coaching, advisory or facilitating role is most appropriate.
What has it brought us?
Besides two great fun and educational days with a great group of people, we also learned a lot from it.
This Agile experiment made us decide to proceed with two formats:
1) A Scrum Master Class (for mutual knowledge exchange between experienced Scrum Masters where practical challenges are shared and discussed. So that extra tools are provided from both the group and the Agile coach to take on these challenges themselves).
2) A Scrum Master Advanced Training (for participants who want to better understand the basic principles, where the practice is reflected on the basis of the theory and insights are gained to better prepare yourself for an exam)
Would you like to participate?
Would you like to participate in one of our experiments next time? Let us know via the Contact Form!
Response Danijel Rakovic, Cofra Holding
"These were 2 interesting days in which we really went back to the basics of scrum. But we also went in depth, with issues from practice. The best thing was that it was largely organized as a kind of workshop with in between questions could be asked. In addition to the general scrum concepts, we also discussed what to expect during a PSM 2 exam, this gave me a lot of confidence towards the exam."
It is our mission to help customers get their change ambitions to come true.
Our location in Amersfoort is located directly opposite the main entrance of the NS station and is therefore easily accessible by public transport.
If you come by car, it is best to park at the Q-Park P+R Barchman Wuytierslaan, approximately a 5-minute walk from our office.
