Using Communities of Practices to Sustain an Agile Transformation
Kevin BurkeAn Agile Coach at Fidelity Investments
Adoption Vs. Transformation
• Adoption: Practices, Tools, Techniques, Ceremonies and Habits... Doing Agile
• Transformation: Organization Structure, Culture, Mindset ... Being Agile
• Environment changes– Leaders, Business Partners
• Pressure– “Let’s skip the Retro we’re too busy”
• Complacency– Internalization of new best practices– Agile takes work
Challenges of Sustaining an Agile Transformation
Challenges of Sustaining an Agile Transformation
• Feeling like imposters
• Great for “Cracking the Nut” of Agile Adoption and being a catalyst for Agile Transformation,– Lack of Team Commitment– Lack of Knowledge• Product• Politics• Past Issues
– Observer effect
Challenges of using Coaches to Sustain
What are Communities of Practices?
• A CoP is a group of people who are active practitioners.
• The purpose of a CoP, is to provide a way for practitioners to share tips and best practices, ask questions of their colleagues, and provide support for each other.
• Membership is dependent on expertise - one should have at least some recent experience performing subject area of the CoP.
What Communities of Practices offer?
• A Scalable Approach• Tailored Adoption per Team and allowing an
organization to keep consistency– Measurement
• Increased Commitment – Change Agents in every team
Why use Communities of Practices to Sustain an Agile Transformation
• Effective Knowledge Management– Socialization, Internalization
• Training• Support group– Peer Coaching– Leadership communication channels
• Know Subject Matter Experts– Skills, Knowledge
Best Practices for a CoP
• Design for evolution• Invite different levels of participation• Combine familiarity and excitement• Develop both public and private community
spaces• Focus on value
Best Practices for running a CoP
• Find Interested People• Big Kick Off– Communication Plans– Leadership backing
• Networking events– Identify Focus Areas
• Sub groups– Hold people accountable for commitments
• Motivation– Purpose, mastery, autonomy
• Close CoP or reenergise
Why use Communities of Practices to Sustain an Agile Transformation
• Knowledge Management• Socialization• Internalization • Known Subject Matter Experts
• Collaboration• Peers• Leadership• Strength in numbers
Questions?
