Getting Started Right!

So, if you are here, I am assuming you've read my previous newsletters on the Agile Transformation Series - "Are you ready to Transform" and "Building a Foundation."

If you haven’t then here are the links to those newsletters, I urge you to go through these first before reading any further. (Don’t worry, it’s not going to take more than 7 minutes to read through both of them).

Are you ready to Transform?

Building a Foundation?

Now that you have read the preceding ones, let move ahead!

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By now, you're probably thinking, "Alright, I'm sold. Let's dive into this Agile thing headfirst!" But hold your horses, my friend. Before you start sprinting towards Agile glory, let's talk about GETTING STARTED RIGHT.

WHAT?

We haven’t even got started already and we are in the 3rd newsletter?

Yes, that’s right. Because trust me, a smooth start can make all the difference in this wild ride we call transformation. So, invest some time and read through.

First things first, let's talk about PICKING THE RIGHT PILOT TEAMS. It's like choosing your players for a pickup basketball game. You need the shooters, the defenders, and maybe a few all-rounders who can do a bit of everything. Similarly, when selecting pilot teams for Agile transformation, look for enthusiastic folks who are open to change, collaborative, and have a mix of skills. Preferably a team that is just formed or is still to be formed with new idea that is being incubated or has been thought through.

The success of the pilot teams is your MVPs who will lead the change and inspire others to join in.

Training, Training, Training: Now, let's talk about TRAININGS. Picture this: You're dropped into the middle of a jungle with nothing, but a map written in a language you don't understand. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, that's what it feels like for your teams when they're thrown into something called Agile Transformation, without proper training. Invest in training programs to equip your teams with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the Agile terrain. Because let's face it, nobody wants to be lost in the jungle of Scrum/SAFe jargons or drowned in the sea of Kanban boards.

Training is like giving your teams a compass and a survival guide for their Agile journey. It's the key to unlocking their potential and guiding them towards success.

Next up, TEAM INTERACTIONS. Building a high-performing Agile team is like cooking up a storm in the kitchen. You need the right ingredients, the perfect recipe, and a sprinkle of teamwork to make it all come together. Encourage your teams to interact, collaborate, and communicate openly. Let them brainstorm ideas, share feedback, and support each other like a dysfunctional yet lovable family. Remember, great things happen when people come together, just like a perfect batch of cookies fresh out of the oven.

Team interactions are not just limited to the team starting to gel in with each other. It's also about you (the Transformation Consultant aka magician) to get to know the team. Remember, chit-chats builds trust and trust builds the lets-do-it feeling. Take this opportunity to do maximum interactions with the team to identify, appreciate and address their concerns, inhibitions and fears. Channelize them gradually into confidence and willingness to change.

Team interactions are the secret sauce that adds flavor and zest to your Agile journey.

FORMING, STORMING, NORMING: Ah, the infamous forming, storming, norming. It's like going through the stages of a roller coaster ride. First, there's the excitement of boarding the ride (forming), then the stomach-churning twists and turns (storming), and finally, the smooth ride to the finish line (norming). Embrace the chaos, folks. It's all part of the journey towards Agile nirvana. Help your teams navigate through the storming phase by providing guidance, support, and maybe a few chocolates to sweeten the deal.

Trust me, they'll come out stronger and more united on the other side. Forming, storming, norming - it's the roller coaster ride of Agile transformation. So, strap in, hold on tight, and enjoy the thrill of the ride.

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So, do all of these things come in sequence every time.

Well, not really.

But this is an ideal way to make sure your team has what is takes to be learnable, collaborative and cooperative in the entire transformation journey. Because once you get started there is no looking back.

And remember, it's not just about reaching the destination, but enjoying the crazy ride along the way. Until next time, stay Agile, stay awesome!