How do you create a network of agile champions?

?? Observation and Assessment: Identify individuals who demonstrate enthusiasm, expertise, and leadership qualities in Agile practices during team interactions or projects. ?? Feedback and Recommendations: Seek input from team members, managers, and stakeholders to identify individuals with a natural inclination towards Agile principles and methodologies. In a banking organization, potential Agile champions could include team leads, project managers, or senior developers who consistently advocate for Agile practices and demonstrate leadership skills.

Agile is a hype/ trendy word in so many organizations. I have personally encountered managers who just add the word agile to every presentation or initiative in an attempt to impress their superiors or in their own mind, stay current. However, Agile is about being not doing, it is about those who believe in change and are ready to fail and build a continuous learning culture, it is about those who are willing to take out of their time without being discouraged when things don't go as planned. Therefore, it is important to choose them carefully to be all about attitude and behavior; I like to put it A= B+C (Agile= Behavior + Culture), it doesn't ned extensive experience or some kind of seniority level to be an agile champion.

"Agile champions" can be relatively easy to spot. Some notable characteristics I always notice in classes I teach are those that: - Question the normal narratives. This normally comes at me from different industries that often don't include the normal use case or scenario being taught in class. - Are curious. These tend to be people that aren't afraid to admit that they may lack the experience or know-how, and are willing to ask the question to address any boiling curiosities of how something works. Nurturing these two perspectives makes it really easy to create dynamic and value-driven contributions, especially we're all trying to ultimately improve and make things around us better. #agile

?? Training and Education: Provide comprehensive training programs, workshops, and certifications to deepen their understanding of Agile frameworks, principles, and best practices. ?? Continuous Learning: Encourage Agile champions to pursue continuous learning opportunities, such as attending conferences, participating in webinars, or joining Agile communities. Banking Example: Offer Agile certification courses tailored to banking projects and processes, covering topics such as Agile project management, Scrum, or Kanban methodologies.

To build a network of agile champions, focus on developing their skills and knowledge. Offer specialized training, workshops, and certifications related to agile methodologies. Encourage them to attend conferences, webinars, and community events to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices in agile. Providing opportunities for hands-on experience through leading projects or facilitating agile ceremonies can also enhance their expertise. By investing in their growth and providing continuous learning opportunities, you can empower these champions to drive agile adoption and excellence within your organization.

Once you've identified potential champions, invest in their development. Provide them with access to agile training programs, workshops, and certifications to deepen their understanding of agile principles and practices. Encourage them to attend industry conferences, webinars, and meetups to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in agile. Pair them with experienced mentors who can offer guidance and support as they develop their skills. By equipping them with the necessary knowledge and expertise, you empower them to effectively advocate for agile within the organization.

To build a network of agile champions, it's crucial to invest in their skills and knowledge development. This can be achieved through tailored training sessions, workshops, and certifications focused on agile methodologies and leadership. Encourage them to participate in agile communities and events, both internally and externally, to gain insights and share experiences. Provide resources and opportunities for continuous learning, such as access to online courses, books, and coaching. By fostering an environment of growth and learning, these champions will not only deepen their understanding of agile practices but also become more effective in advocating for and implementing agile transformation across the organization.

Developing the skills and knowledge of potential agile champions involves providing them with a variety of learning and growth opportunities. This will enable them to deepen their understanding of agile methodologies and strengthen their ability to advocate for and implement agile practices effectively. Here are some insights to help you develop potential agile champions: - Encourage potential champions to pursue relevant agile certifications (e.g., CSM, PMI-ACP) to validate their expertise. - Connect potential champions with experienced agile coaches for personalized guidance & support. - Share agile books, articles, blogs, & research papers to broaden their knowledge. - Allow them to shadow experienced agile practitioners to learn more.

?? Active Participation: Involve Agile champions in key Agile initiatives, such as Agile transformations, process improvements, or cross-functional collaboration initiatives. ?? Leadership Roles: Assign leadership roles to Agile champions in Agile teams or Agile CoEs (Centers of Excellence) to drive adoption and foster a culture of agility. Banking Example: Engage Agile champions in Agile transformation initiatives within banking departments, such as implementing Agile methodologies in product development teams or streamlining project delivery processes.

Engaging potential agile champions in specific agile initiatives is a strategic move to cultivate their skills and commitment. Assign them roles in ongoing agile projects, or involve them in pilot programs where they can apply agile methodologies in real-world scenarios. Encourage their participation in sprint planning, retrospectives, and daily stand-ups to deepen their understanding and experience. This hands-on involvement helps them see the impact of agile practices firsthand, boosting their confidence and capability to advocate for agile methodologies. By actively participating in these initiatives, champions can share their insights and successes, further promoting the agile mindset within the organization.

Engage potential champions in agile initiatives to foster a network of agile advocates. Encourage them to participate in agile teams, where they can apply and share their knowledge. Assign them leadership roles in agile projects or let them facilitate agile ceremonies like stand-ups or retrospectives. This hands-on involvement not only hones their agile skills but also builds their confidence and credibility within the organization. By actively involving them in agile activities, you empower them to champion agile values and practices more effectively across different teams and projects.

Engaging your potential agile champions in initiatives that align with their interests, goals, and strengths can help them gain practical experience and showcase their leadership abilities. Here are some insights to guide you in involving your potential champions in agile initiatives: - Understand the potential champions' interests, career goals, and strengths to match them with appropriate agile initiatives. - Allow potential champions to lead or facilitate agile ceremonies such as daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. - Recognize and celebrate their successes in agile projects to boost their confidence and visibility. - Monitor their performance and provide constructive feedback to help them grow and improve.

Involve your identified champions in key agile initiatives and projects. Give them the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge in real-world scenarios, allowing them to gain hands-on experience. Assign them roles such as Scrum Masters, Product Owners, or Agile Coaches, where they can lead teams and drive agile practices. By actively engaging them in agile initiatives, you help them build credibility and demonstrate the tangible benefits of agile methodologies to the organization.

Agile transformations are like marathons, not sprints. And just like a marathon, they require dedicated champions who can keep the momentum going, inspire others, and lead the way. But these champions aren't born; they're nurtured. They're individuals who have embraced the agile mindset, understand its value, and are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience with others. As leaders, it's our responsibility to identify these champions and empower them to thrive. Recognition and reward are crucial parts of that empowerment.

?? Acknowledgment: Publicly recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Agile champions through team meetings, newsletters, or recognition programs. ?? Incentives and Rewards: Provide incentives such as bonuses, promotions, or opportunities for career advancement to motivate and retain Agile champions. Banking Example: Recognize Agile champions in banking projects for their role in driving Agile adoption, improving project outcomes, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Recognize and reward the contributions of potential agile champions to foster a supportive network. Acknowledge their efforts in adopting and promoting agile practices, whether it's through formal recognition programs, awards, or public praise in team meetings. By celebrating their achievements and dedication, you not only motivate them to continue their agile journey but also inspire others to become part of this agile community. This positive reinforcement builds a culture where agile champions feel valued and empowered, encouraging them to further champion agile principles across the organization.

Recognizing and rewarding the contributions of your agile champions is essential to sustain their enthusiasm and commitment. Public acknowledgment of their efforts in leading agile practices, whether through company wide communications, awards, or tangible incentives, validates their work and motivates others to follow their example. Implementing a rewards system that aligns with agile values such as innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement further reinforces the importance of these principles. Celebrating successes, big or small, not only elevates the champions' status as role models but also cultivates a culture of appreciation and recognition that is vital for nurturing a network of agile advocates.

Acknowledging and rewarding the efforts of agile champions is crucial for maintaining their motivation and commitment. Recognize their contributions through formal awards, public acknowledgments, or financial incentives. Highlight their successes in company meetings, newsletters, or on internal communication platforms. By celebrating their achievements, you not only boost their morale but also raise awareness of the value they bring to the organization, encouraging others to follow their lead.

As an Agile Coach, my suggestion would be to establish communities of Practices [CoP]. CoPs can bring in cross fertilization and sharing of ideas and innovation practices. CoPs should be ideally established for Scrum master, Product owners, Architects roles. Each of these CoPs should be led by a senior person and should have a charter in place which defines the vision of the CoP. Opportunities should be created for cross CoP meetings so that members can network amongst themselves. This should also provide a forum for identifying role related challenges and dependencies and cross team collaboration.

?? Community Building: Facilitate networking opportunities for Agile champions to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other through forums, workshops, or online communities. ?? Cross-functional Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between Agile champions from different teams or departments to exchange best practices and insights. Banking Example: Establish a community of practice for Agile champions in banking, where they can share knowledge, discuss challenges, and collaborate on Agile initiatives across various banking projects and departments.

I strongly advocate for the creation of agile communities like for example the Blue Striped Frog in the Netherlands, which connects like-minded individuals across various organizations. Such communities are instrumental in sharing knowledge, inspiring one another, and organizing impactful events, including recognitions like the Scrum Master of the Year award. These platforms not only foster exchanges of ideas and experiences but also enhance engagement through collaborative events and challenges. Ultimately, this helps in expanding networks, building lasting relationships, and nurturing a sense of belonging among agile practitioners.

Connecting your agile champions with each other is a powerful strategy to amplify their impact. Establish forums, such as regular meetups, workshops, or online communities, where champions can share experiences, challenges, and best practices. This network fosters a sense of camaraderie and collective purpose, encouraging champions to learn from one another and co-create solutions. Facilitating these connections helps to spread agile thinking more broadly and deeply across the organization, as champions inspire and support each other in driving agile transformations. This collaborative environment not only accelerates the agile journey but also strengthens the champions’ collective influence and effectiveness.

Connect your agile champions with each other to build a collaborative and supportive network. Facilitate regular meetings, workshops, or forums where they can share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another's successes and challenges. This interconnected community allows agile champions to collaborate on best practices, address common issues, and inspire each other to innovate and drive agile transformation within the organization. Building this network not only strengthens their individual capabilities but also enhances the overall agility and adaptability of the team.

?? Leadership Empowerment: Provide Agile champions with the authority, resources, and support needed to influence and advocate for Agile practices within their teams and organizations. ?? Change Agents: Encourage Agile champions to act as change agents by promoting Agile values, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and championing Agile initiatives. Banking Example: Empower Agile champions in banking to lead Agile workshops, mentor junior team members, and drive Agile adoption by demonstrating the benefits of Agile methodologies in banking projects.

Empower your agile champions to act as change agents within the organization. Encourage them to lead by example and share their knowledge and experiences with others. Provide them with the autonomy to initiate and drive agile-related projects and improvements. Support them in organizing training sessions, workshops, and agile ceremonies to spread agile practices across teams. By empowering them to influence others, you create a ripple effect that gradually transforms the organization's culture towards greater agility.

Identify Potential Champions: Look for passionate individuals who can influence others and are willing to learn and share agile practices. Develop Their Skills: Provide training, workshops, and certifications to enhance their understanding of agile values, principles, and practices. Invite them to participate in agile projects, teams, or programs, or assign them agile roles or responsibilities. Give them feedback, appreciation, and recognition for their efforts and achievements. Give them autonomy, authority, and accountability to coach, mentor, or train others who want to learn or adopt agile. E.g: I empowered my agile champion to train other teams in agile practices. He became a sought-after agile coach within the organization.

Encourage your team members to take ownership of projects and decisions. Allow them to experiment with new methods and practices without fear of failure. For instance, you might introduce "Innovation Fridays" where the team can work on passion projects or explore new tools that could benefit the organization. By granting them the authority to implement their ideas, you’ll foster a culture of ownership and initiative. Example: A Scrum Master I worked with empowered their team to redesign the sprint planning process. They reduced unnecessary meetings and introduced a new digital tool that improved transparency. The success of this initiative led other teams to adopt similar approaches, driving broader Agile adoption.

In my experience as a Vice - President of an organisation and also responsible for fostering an agility as a culture. For creating a network of Agile champions is everything start from your own place. 1. Spread agility within your organisation, make people realise and understand importance of Agile practices. 2. Contribute in any of the community where you get an opportunity to outshine by learning and contributing towards community. 3. Influence others by conducting monthly event that is free of cost. This way helped me and I guess this will helped others as well to create Agile Champions and I can proudly say we have footfalls of more than 50+ people in monthly event.

Aim of creating a network of Agile champions is to accelerate the adoption of Agile ways of working. In my experience, below has helped immensely- 1) Identifying team members at all levels, specially in a very hierarchical organisation is important - Every layer of the organisation, we need to have few people exemplifying right mindset and behaviour 2) Select people who are also keen to share and spread Agile ways of working 3) Form the community within organisations 4) Expand the reach of these Agile Champions through helping them lead the meet-ups and other events within and across organisations 5) Align the organisation's ambassador values with Agile values and principles to speed up the network of Agile champions

Los campeones ágiles son como jardineros que preparan el terreno, plantan y nutren cada semilla para que crezca fuerte. En una organización, estos campeones crean condiciones ideales para cultivar una cultura de agilidad, donde florece el aprendizaje constante, la resiliencia, la flexibilidad, la adaptabilidad y la colaboración. Así como el jardinero necesita tierra fértil, herramientas adecuadas y tiempo para cuidar su jardín, el campeón ágil requiere recursos y apoyo. Y al igual que el jardinero necesita espacio para experimentar con nuevas variedades, el campeón ágil necesita libertad para probar y adaptar prácticas que impulsen el crecimiento y la innovación en una organización que se enfrenta a un mundo en constante cambio.

To create a culture of Agility in an organisation you need change agents at the grass root level. These are: 1. External Agile Consultants - For example OrgLeap consultants 2. Agile Coaches/ SM 3. Agilists - the influencers within the team Everyone above is an Agile Champion as they are helping the company transform to the new ways of working. The first 2 (Externals and Coaches) are usually formal roles, and it should be their job to identify the third category which are typically the influencers and Agile believers at the grass root level. They should be empowered to influence & change. The trainings should be more on change management and culture creation. The Team level Agile influencers (Champs) can shape up a great Agile culture