Agile Network India - Ahmedabad
Title: Powering Big Wins with Small, Agile Teams by Yogesh Kantak
Date: 06th April 2024
Hosted by: Tech Holding Pvt Ltd
4. Expanding the Definition of Success for Agile Teams
The ideal set of success factors will vary depending on your specific team, project goals, and company culture.
However, by focusing on a broader range of metrics beyond just velocity, you can gain a more comprehensive
understanding of your team's effectiveness and make informed decisions to optimize their performance.
Success Factor Description
Customer Value
Goes beyond completing features. Focuses on
how features solve customer problems and deliver
value.
Innovation and Learning
Encourages exploration of new approaches and
continuous learning.
Team Happiness and Well-
being
Prioritizes team morale and a positive work
environment.
Meeting Deadlines &
Predictability
Assesses the team's ability to consistently deliver
on commitments.
Technical Debt Management
Emphasizes maintaining a clean codebase to
avoid future problems.
Process Improvement
Encourages continuous evaluation and
improvement of the team's workflow.
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6. When small teams face tight deadlines, collaboration becomes even more critical.
Here are some advanced techniques to supercharge your teamwork and ensure successful project delivery:
1. Deep Collaboration with the RACI / DACI Framework.
2. Embrace Asynchronous Communication.
3. Leverage the Power of Visual Collaboration.
4. Embrace Radical Transparency and Proactive Communication.
5. Utilize Daily Stand-ups (the Right Way).
Stand-up meetings on tight deadlines can easily become time sucks. Keep them focused and efficient by:
• Setting a time limit (ideally 15 minutes).
• Focus on three key points: what was done yesterday, what will be done today, and any roadblocks.
• Use a visual tool to track progress and dependencies.
6. Implement a "Buddy System" for Knowledge Sharing.
7. Automate Repetitive Tasks.
8. Prioritize Ruthlessly.
9. Celebrate Milestones (Big and Small).
10. Conduct a Post-Project Review.
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7. Scaling Up Without Selling Out
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8. The challenge: As successful small, agile teams grow or integrate with larger structures, their initial agility and autonomy can be threatened.
Strategies
Gradual and Controlled Team Growth
• Adding too many members too quickly can disrupt team dynamics and communication.
• Consider a phased approach, integrating new members one or two at a time.
• This allows for smoother knowledge transfer from existing team members and preserves the team's established communication channels.
Maintaining Team Autonomy within a Framework
• Empower the small team to continue self-organizing and making decisions related to their work.
• This could involve maintaining control over sprint planning, project execution, and performance metrics.
• However, this autonomy should exist within a larger framework of company goals and collaboration with other departments for cross-functional
initiatives.
Building Communities of Practice
• Foster knowledge sharing and collaboration across the organization by establishing communities of practice. This can be achieved through:
• Company-wide Slack / MS Teams / MS Viva channels dedicated to specific functions or methodologies.
• Internal knowledge bases where teams can document best practices, learnings, and reusable assets.
• Connecting with other agile teams allows knowledge exchange and prevents siloed practices within the organization.
Remember:
Scaling agile practices effectively requires a balance between preserving the core strengths of small teams and integrating them into a larger
organizational structure.
By focusing on measured growth, maintaining autonomy, and fostering knowledge sharing, companies can achieve sustainable growth without
sacrificing agility.
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9. Closing Thoughts - key takeaways to remember
Focus on Team Size and Composition: Aim for a sweet spot of 5-9 members, balancing diverse skillsets
with clear communication and swift decision-making.
Empowerment is Key: Foster flat hierarchies, self-organization, and shared ownership within the team.
Tailor Agile Frameworks: Select frameworks that empower your specific team and avoid unnecessary
complexity.
Look Beyond Velocity: Success goes beyond just completed tasks. Measure customer value, innovation,
and team well-being for a holistic view.
Embrace Advanced Techniques: Utilize asynchronous communication tools, visual collaboration
platforms, and effective virtual meeting practices to bridge geographical gaps.
Scale Up, Don't Sell Out: Prioritize your company culture, empower your people, and measure progress
on what truly matters to achieve sustainable growth.
Maintain Agility During Integration: As teams grow, ensure measured growth with the right mindset and
skillsets. Maintain team autonomy within a larger framework and foster knowledge-sharing communities.
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10. Q & A
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