Definitely, Maybe Agile

What causes collaboration to break down in organizations? We often hear talk of collaboration breaking down in command and control style hub-and-spoke structures, but more agile modern structures can also cause issues. Using a 2021 MIT article on collaboration and organizational network design (ONA) as a base, Dave and Peter explore these different models and their impact on collaboration. Expect lots of discussion on Agile and DevOps.

This week's takeaways:

• Centralized decision-making and hub and spoke models can hinder teamwork and cause confusion.
• Collaboration goes beyond breaking down silos; it requires a shared purpose and aligned goals across teams and units.
• Addressing bottlenecks, maintaining work transparency, and considering the entire system are crucial to avoid overload and disenfranchisement.
• It's important to consider structural and behavioral aspects to foster effective collaboration. 

Resources: 

Sloan Management Review: When Collaboration Fails and How to Fix It- https://corporateinnovation.mit.edu/2021/05/18/sloan-management-review-when-collaboration-fails-and-how-to-fix-it/

Ready to revolutionize your workplace collaboration? Don't miss this insightful episode! Be sure to listen to Definitely Maybe Agile on your favorite platform, and remember to subscribe. For additional resources and to join the conversation, visit our website and contact us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Click that subscribe button and stay tuned for more exciting content!

Are you ready to challenge conventional wisdom and reexamine your understanding of product development? This episode promises to do just that, as we unravel the misconceptions highlighted in the Harvard Business Review article, 'Six Myths of Product Development.' We'll share insights on how these myths, often carried over from physical manufacturing to the digital sphere, can lead to a misallocation of resources and stifle innovation.

This week's takeaways:

• The economics of cost saving and optimization can have a detrimental effect on digital product development. 
• The mindset of "plan to create options" is essential for digital product development. 
• The lessons learned from digital product development can be applied to other areas of the business, such as operations.

Resources:
Six Myths of Product Development- https://hbr.org/2012/05/six-myths-of-product-development

Contact us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Hit subscribe to stay updated on our latest releases. Join us in this captivating exploration of product development myths, and gain fresh insights into crafting effective strategies for the digital era. 

Curious about how validation works in agile development? By this, we mean the process of verifying the product does what it is supposed to. Join Peter Maddison and David Sharrock as we unravel the nuances of this crucial process. We'll dive headfirst into the technological and business aspects of validation, discussing everything from automated deployment processes to system monitoring and the importance of telemetry data. We'll also show how business validation ensures your product behaves as planned, giving you the confidence to move forward. We’ll also talk about how validation differs across types of business. 

 This week's takeaways:

• Try to predict what customers will do with your new functionality.
• Think of the many ways you might measure the impact of your new functionality.
• Involve all stakeholders in the validation process.

 Contact us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Remember to subscribe to stay updated on our latest releases.

Are you drowning in work? Learning to streamline your team's processes but can’t find the time? Don't panic; Peter Maddison and David Sharrock have covered you with simplistic yet powerful strategies! In this episode, they talk through the 'two-out, one-in process. It's a methodology that ensures the focus is on finishing tasks rather than continually adding to the work pipeline. Expect discussion of work-in-progress limits and empowering your teams to take control of their work.

 This week's takeaways:

•  Try “two-out, one-in," as it can be a valuable technique for teams overwhelmed with too much work in progress.
• Make sure everything is captured as work. Visibility is a key first step.
• Sharing the visibility of the team's workload and its capacity with stakeholders can lead to a better understanding of the team's constraints and workload.

Resources: Video Lucy and the Chocolate Factory: https://youtu.be/NkQ58I53mjk

Join the conversation by contacting us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on our latest releases. So, brace yourself for an insightful conversation as Peter and David showcase how to navigate the complexities of adopting new working methods while managing work overload.

Tune in to the newest episode of Definitely Maybe Agile as Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock challenge the notion of using a single solution for all problems. They explain the importance of having a diverse, agile methods and practices toolkit. Peter and Dave highlight the need to consider the context of each problem before deciding on a solution. They stress the value of tailoring the approach to fit the unique circumstances, emphasizing the necessity of fully understanding the problem.

This week's takeaways:

• Have a toolkit of different frameworks and models.
• Measure the right thing.
• Context is King.

Contact us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Hit subscribe to stay updated on our latest releases. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion on effective problem-solving strategies in the agile world. Expand your toolkit and enhance your problem-solving skills with the expert advice featured in this episode.

In this episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast, we'll discuss how to make the most of your time at conferences. Discover the power of tribe-finding, uncover a range of learning opportunities, and unlock the potential for networking with like-minded individuals. From informal exchanges to roundtable discussions with industry experts, there's something for everyone.

This week's takeaways: 

• Find your tribe.
• Prepare in advance.
• Embrace informal networking opportunities.
• Don't be afraid to leave if it's not serving your goals.

 Join the conversation by contacting us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on our latest releases. And remember, conferences can be an absolute blast and an enriching learning experience rolled into one!

 Are you ready to challenge conventional wisdom about traditional architecture and Agile practices? This week, Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock steer us through the labyrinth of Agile Architecture, revealing how it can become a strategic partner rather than just a service function. We examine the potential barriers old-school architecture can pose, and how Agile principles can reshape the layers of your organization's system architecture.

This week's takeaways:

• Ensure architects are actively involved in specific business domains or architecture, rather than being temporary consultants.
• Remember that architecture is not solely the responsibility of a select few; it permeates all levels of the organization.
• Avoid relying too heavily on Architectural Review Boards (ARBs) as they can impede decision-making and hinder innovation. Instead, prioritize empowering architects to make informed decisions and collaborate regularly with relevant stakeholders.

Join the conversation by contacting us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on our latest releases. Let us uncover the potential of Agile Architecture together! 

Are you ready to shatter the glass ceiling of traditional management methods? We promise this episode will equip you with the tools to achieve just that! Join us, Peter Madison and David Sharrock, as we journey into the realm of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Learn about their power in fueling organizational alignment and goal-setting and how they stand apart from other management frameworks like MBOs, balanced scorecards, and KPIs. Discover why they are indispensable in setting long-term objectives and milestones that can pivot with the ever-changing landscapes of your business operations.

This week's takeaways:

•  OKRs are a goal-setting framework are effective at creating alignment and, though simple on the surface, they take practice to get right.
• They are not meant to be static but rather should be updated and adjusted as new information becomes available.
• It should not be tied to performance reviews or bonuses. Instead, they should be used as a tool for setting ambitious goals and tracking progress.

To join the discussion, email us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Remember to hit that subscribe button to stay updated on our latest releases.   Tune in, and let us help you revolutionize the way your organization marches towards achieving its goals. 

 Join Peter Maddison and David Sharrock on the latest episode of Definitely, Maybe Agile as they sit down with Pia Wendelbo, change agent and CEO of Scandinavian Change Agents. Together, they delve into the crucial topic of holistic thinking in change management. Pia highlights the often overlooked impact on people during a transformation, emphasizing the importance of considering culture, staff happiness, and the structures and processes affected by the change. This insightful conversation highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to change management that fully embraces human aspects of organizational transformation.
 
This week's takeaways:

• Recognize that individuals are at the core of any transformation effort.
• Incorporating "slack" into work life can bring balance and productivity.
• Continuous learning and improvement are crucial in transformation.

To join the discussion, email us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Remember to hit that subscribe button to stay updated on our latest releases. 

Erin Leslie, a leadership coach, and career strategist, joins the Definitely Maybe Agile podcast to discuss the importance of vulnerable leadership and emotional intelligence in agile transformations.

Erin shares her experience leading agile teams in the public sector, and discusses the challenges and opportunities of working in this environment. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for creativity and risk-taking and of being able to relate to team members on a human level.

This week's takeaways:

• Allow space for emotions and feelings to be expressed in conversations and listen for the answer rather than coming in with preconceived ideas.
• New roles in government. The public sector is increasingly adopting new roles, such as product owner. These roles allow public servants to take on more responsibility and ownership of their work.
• Compassion is essential in both public and private sector leadership.

To join the discussion, email us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Remember to hit that subscribe button to stay updated on our latest releases.