Agile Alliances: Putting it into Practice

I had the opportunity to speak with executives from Zscaler, a leading security in the cloud vendor about how they could accelerate business with the major cloud providers and the complimentary security vendor Crowdstrike. We got into a great discussion, and yes - at times debate, about how best to implement agile within a partnership. After the conversation, I came away even more convinced of the 3 most important aspects of deploying agile practices and learned a 4th from my colleague.

Establish Cross-Functional Teams

Creating joint Agile teams with members from both organizations fosters better communication and a shared sense of ownership for projects. These cross-functional teams should include individuals with diverse skills and expertise, enabling them to tackle various aspects of the project efficiently.

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced collaboration and synergy between team members.
• A unified approach to problem-solving.
• Reduced misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Implementation Tips:

• Identify the critical functions needed for the project and select team members from both organizations accordingly.
• Ensure that team members have a clear understanding of Agile principles and practices.
• Promote a culture of trust and mutual respect within the team.

Regular Planning Sessions

Hold regular sprint planning sessions to define short-term goals and set achievable targets for the upcoming sprint. These sessions help the team stay focused and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding priorities and deliverables. After each sprint, conduct reviews to assess progress, identify roadblocks, and make necessary adjustments. These iterative reviews are crucial for continuous improvement and adapting to changing requirements.

Key Benefits:

• Improved alignment on goals and priorities.
• Timely identification and resolution of issues.
• Continuous improvement in processes and collaboration.

Implementation Tips:

• Schedule regular sprint planning and review meetings, ensuring full participation from both organizations.
• Use these meetings to encourage open discussion about what worked well and what needs improvement.
• Focus on actionable insights and concrete steps for the next sprint.

Promote Open and Transparent Communication

Effective communication is the backbone of successful Agile implementation. Promote open and transparent communication through regular scrum meetings, shared online workspaces, and clear communication channels.

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced visibility into project progress and challenges.
• Quicker decision-making and problem resolution.
• Stronger relationships and trust between partners.

Implementation Tips:

• Hold daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress, roadblocks, and plans for the day.
• Utilize online collaboration tools like Slack, Trello, or Jira to keep everyone informed and engaged.
• Establish clear communication protocols and ensure that all team members adhere to them.

Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

To track progress towards your shared goals, develop key performance indicators (KPIs) that are relevant to the alliance’s objectives. Regularly assess these metrics to gauge the effectiveness of your collaboration and make data-driven decisions.

Key Benefits:

• Clear visibility into the alliance’s performance.
• Ability to identify areas of improvement and take corrective actions.
• Enhanced accountability and transparency.

Implementation Tips:

• Define KPIs that align with your strategic goals and are easily measurable.
• Regularly review these metrics in your sprint reviews and other meetings.
• Use the insights gained from these assessments to refine your strategies and improve collaboration.

Conclusion

Implementing Agile practices in strategic alliances can transform how organizations collaborate, leading to improved communication, greater efficiency, and more successful outcomes. By establishing joint Agile teams, holding regular sprint planning and reviews, promoting open communication, and developing KPIs, you can foster a more effective and cohesive partnership.

Start small by incorporating one or two Agile practices into your alliance and gradually expand as you see the benefits. With dedication and commitment, Agile can become a powerful tool in driving the success of your strategic collaborations. Now can you guess which one was new to me?