Tag: agile

3 Ways to Apply Agile at the Executive Level

A while ago, I read a book and a short white paper that fit both of my user story needs. The first was about how leadership can apply agility at the executive leadership level. The second was about how we must change to get the right talent in our current Agile environment. Both brought up key Holistic Agile concepts that I constantly attempt to apply in Agile adoptions and transformations at MATRIX. When it happens successfully, the initiative seems to “take a turn” for the better as the organization (not just IT) “gets it.” When these practices are not applied to senior leadership, there is a chasm that drags Agile transformations to a halt. Without Holistic Agility, organizational change will fail. These practices and principles are building teams, being responsive, and self-management.

Homegrown Agile: The Beginning and being a dad in agility

My first thoughts about Agile practices were not those of increasing productivity (even though they can), improving product speed to market (which they do), or even breaking down the walls between traditional "business" and "IT" (which happens, all the time).  Rather, I kept seeing a cultural and environmental shift in the ways people interacted - from the client relationships to the leadership relationships.  I saw how, at the core, we empowered people to do what they do even better and deliver things of value in order to improve relationships and the subsequently the wealth of all parties involved.

Three Reasons Why You Should Not Hire an Agile Coach

Originally posted on LinkedIn here. I admit it - I am an agile coach. I walk teams through starting up, I work with Product Owners on building backlogs, I work with organizations on agile adoption, I help people and companies get more "awesome." And now I am going to tell you three reasons why you shouldn't hire me, or anyone like me! Now, this doesn't mean every organization should never hire coaches, but over the years I have witnessed scenarios where coaches could not be successful.