Software the Agile Way....

This post will help to organization who has decided to adopt Agile but don't know where to start.The first thing that the organization leadership team need to brainstorm is what problems, issues they are facing now due to which they need change and adopt Agile. Identifying issues/problems with the current delivery framework would help defining a goal that they want to achieve with the new Agile framework. Some of the common issues that leadership often feels are in my opinion are: Though they have huge talent pool still they are delivering very less features to market and clients.  Though somehow the delivery happens with the current framework, the quality and satisfaction from customer is very less. They see a lot of issues in the product. Managing people and  aligning them to deliver a really complex and big project is getting difficult and as the current delivery framework has created a lot of chaos. Difficult to measure the value added by the current deliver...

Promoting collaboration in challenging circumstances - For example - in the Delivery pipeline, due to a abnormal code check-in, a critical issue has occurred. Coach need to look for solution by collaborating instead of blaming the team member.  Searching for truth/a solution relentlessly - For example - a problem is reported by someone and it looks small and has little impact still the solution should be identified as you never know when a small issue becomes a big one.  Honesty and trustworthiness - For example - a coach need to get out of a situation where coach feels can be handled by the team. This builds trust within the team.  A learning attitude (proactive and learning from mistakes) -For example - A decision has gone wrong and does not bring the positive results . then the coach need to learn and change.  Humility and Assertiveness - For example - be open in talking to team in giving feedback.  Guiding people without controlling them - For exam...

There are four leadership styles: Directing, Coaching, Supporting and Delegating. o Delegating i.e. Low Supportive & Low Directive o Directing i.e. Low Supportive & High Directive o Supporting i.e. High Supportive & High Directive o Coaching i.e. High Supportive & Low Directive Situational Leadership is a way of describing and analysing leadership styles. It is a combination of directive and supportive behaviours. Directive behaviour involves telling people what to do, how to do it, where to do it, when to do it and then closely supervising this performance.  Supportive behaviour involves listening to people, providing support and encouragement for their efforts and then facilitating their involvement in problem solving and decision-making. Source-  http://business-financialrange.com/?p=1663

Behaviours would cover such things as empowerment, collaboration and good communication.  Techniques would cover areas such as having a clear processes with defined roles and responsibilities, along with practices such as timeboxing, iterative and incremental delivery and flexing the requirements.

We're trying to deliver what clients want.  Since we know, through decades of experience, that clients, whether internal or external, can't articulate what they want until they see it, showing them working results as we progress makes obvious sense.  We also know from experience that "throwing requirements over the wall" without deep collaboration is a failed approach, so requiring clients to be "product owners" and remain engaged makes obvious sense as well. We've learned that big-bang, front loaded project planning doesn't account for inevitable changes in business and environment, so we plan and develop in cycles to enable reality to influence our delivery.  Agile is a reflection of the realities we've learned from decades of failed projects, mingled with the modern, lean style of management pioneered by the Deming, Six Sigma movements, leavened with the sensibilities of new generations of developers.

Values diverse opinions Cultivates a culture of trust Develops other leaders Helps people with life issues Encourages Sells instead of tells Thinks you, not me Thinks long-term Acts with humility Source- http://www.skipprichard.com/9-qualities-of-the-servant-leader/