Wednesday, October 30, 2019

So you want to go Agile. Where to start?

The Agile: Scrum Framework - courtesy of NeonRain Interactive
Alex Jones, a Certified Scaled Agile Program Consultant with over 20 years of Agile and Lean Transformation experience at a large semiconductor manufacturer, recently presented on how companies can use Agile in non-software related applications such as product development, knowledge work, or service related businesses.  


Here are the take-aways for companies who know something about Agile and want to know where to start.


1. Make the work visual and visible
  • Get a whiteboard, buy some Post-Its and Sharpies.
  • Visualize the flow of work; put everything on the board.
2. Accelerate the cadence

Drop the weekly staff meeting
Instead, daily stand-up in front of the board.  15 mins max.
Everyone answers:
What did I do yesterday?
What am I working on now?

What is getting in my way?

3. Managers: Change your behaviors
  • “Culture = leader behaviors”
  • Problems are opportunities for improvement.  Control your “crisis voice”.
  • Facilitate the immediate removal of impediments.
  • Read The Work of Management for more hints.

Contact AJC if you'd like to have Alex present to your company.