visual management: leading with what you can see
DESCRIPTION
Produced and presented by Craig Smith and Renee Troughton at the Agile Australia 2013 20 June. Using task boards or story walls is a key Agile practice, but are you making the most of it? Visual Management is more than just putting cards on a wall, it is a growing style of management that focuses on managing work only by what you can see rather than reports or paper being shuffled around. Visual Management allows you to understand the constraints in the system, mitigate risks before they become issues, report on progress from the micro to the macro. Visual Management can also be used to demonstrate to customers and clients where the work they care about is at. This presentation is all about taking the management of your work to the next stage of transparency. Discover: How to identify when your story wall isn't telling you everything and how to adjust it * What the three different types of story walls are and which one is more suitable to certain circumstances * Different ways to visualise your product backlog Why queue columns and limiting work in progress is so important regardless of whether you are using Scrum or Kanban * How symbols and tokens can be used to give more information * What else can you use other than story walls to visualise information * How to ingrain Visual Management into both the team and management structures of your organisation * Visualising Your Quality, Testing and Team * What is systemic flow mapping and why is it importantTRANSCRIPT
Leading with what you can see…
VisualManagement:
Craig SmithRenee Troughton
Welc
om
e…
Image: @ HBO – The NewsroomC
WARNING!
Much of this may
seem obvious
Image: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6LkCqRzKsg/URgIsr021-I/AAAAAAAAAl0/xDTQYFNRo84/s1600/captain_obvious_by_stuartmcghee-d5mbxhw.jpgC
But…
We seeCrime Scene Walls every day!
Image: © Jerry Bruckheimer Televisionhttp://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/8600000/CSI-Las-Vegas-Episode-10-06-Promotional-Photos-csi-8615465-2000-1331.jpg
R
…information is communicated by using visual signals instead of texts or other written instructions.
The design is deliberate in allowing quick recognition of the information being communicated, in order to increase efficiency and clarity.
What Is Visual Management?
“
“”Image: © Charles M. Schulz / Universal UClick http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FYLeQ4ABYTA/TP5pZEWX29I/AAAAAAAAH_Q/167AW75OrHE/s1600/a_charlie_brown_christmas_13.jpg
http://www.thebestodds.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/hawks.jpg http://blog.toyota.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Kanban.jpg
Everyday Visual
Management
C
Why It Is Important
Effectiveretention
3 days after a meeting
Spoken word only
Visual + Oral
Visual
HearingSmell Taste Touch
Human Learning Retention
C
Final Thoughts
Flow Management
Usability
ComplexityThinking
GamificationThe Zone
Our flow today
R
Visual Management:
Flow Management
Image: © Thunderbox Films http://qfxblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/kenny.jpgC
Story H Story G Story E Story B Story A
Story I Story F Story C
Story D
To Do Analysis Develop Test Done
Story J
My Agile Story Wall: Iteration 3
The Basic Flow
Agile 101 tells
us to build a
wall like this
C
Clear Instructions
Development Done:• Code complete &
reviewed• Unit Tests pass &
complete• Acceptance Tests
pass & complete• Checked in & build
success• Documentation
updated
Instructions for adding
a card
Instructions for pushing a card to
next queueR
Multi-Sprint Backlog
Can see a little further down the
road…
C
Horizon & Queues
Groom your
backlog as you go
Works well for Kanban
(but iterative as well)
Manage your work
via WIP
R
Story Map Backlog
Map out features on a wall
Map out the features and
dependencies required
C
Value Tree Backlog
Single Feature, bottom up
growthR
Multiple P/O Backlog
Visualising the priorities for
multiple product owners
R
Timeline Board
To DoDoing
Done
R
Lean Startup Board
Repeat
Build / Measure / Learn
CC/R
Done By…Done by
Cycle Time
Done by Time
C
vs
Done Burn…
versus
Are we on track for end of iteration?
C
Hourglass
Limited WIP of 3
Tracks stories &
tasks
R
Scrum Hero
Limited WIP of 8
As part of a larger zone
R
To Do
Doing
Done!
Representative size
Balloon BoardC
Corfu
Corfu
Rabbitos
Roe
Warble
Tempest
Tempest
LEGO Portfolio Board
DUPLO colour = Business domain
DUPLO holes = Expected size (people)
LEGO colour = Skill type
Lower level = Number of
people needed
Upper level = Number of
people allocated
Divider height
= control level for
gate
DUPLO height = Expected value/ROI
R/C
Lego Portfolio ManagementInceptionIdea Delivery
LEGO Portfolio Board
Why Are
Doing This?
Why Are
Doing This?
Idle People
High Depend,High Risk
Under Resource
R
Back At Work?
Build boards to visualise
problems that you have
Image: © Thunderbox Films http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2007/09/27/kenny460.jpg
Keep it simple, but visual
Keep experimenting (or
refine your awesomeness)
C
Visual Management:
The ZoneImage: © Paramount Pictures http://www.sorrisi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/School-of-rock.jpgC
Task Board
Story Wall
Kanban Board
Which means work items should not be called tasks, user stories or
kanbans…
They are things on a wall.
What’s In A Name? C
The Team
The Customer
Management
What do I need to work on now?
Where is my work at?
Which teams need my support to
remove blockers and waste?
Who Cares About
Transparency?
R
Visual Management
Zone
Metrics
People
Environment
KnowledgeArtefacts
Flow Zone
What’s Makes up
the Zone?RC
The Zone:Metrics
#01, 03-Dec
#02, 21-Dec
#03, 15-Jan #04, 25-Jan #05, 08-Feb
#06, 22-Feb
#07, 08-Mar
#08, 22-Mar
#09, 05-Apr
#10, 19-Apr
#11, 03-May
#12, 17-May
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
Scope (points)
Cumulative Flow
DiagramBurn Up
Chart
R
The Zone:Metrics
Now Targeting
LobsterLunch
Risk Heat Map
R/C
The Zone:Metrics
Code Climate
Sonar
C
The Zone:Metrics
Qualitative & Quantitative
MaturityAssessment
C
The Zone:People
Mood Chart
Leave Calendars
Capability / Dev Plan
RR
The Zone:Environme
ntEnvironment
Status
Build Status
Client Mood
C
The Zone:Knowledge Artefacts
State Diagrams
DatabaseDiagrams
RR
The Zone:Flow Zone
Blackboard
Whiteboard
C
Back At Work?
Seek forgiveness, rather than permission
Image: © Paramount Pictures http://www.ruthlessreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/schoolofrock.jpg
Visual management
isn’t just a flow boardYour key artefacts
should be visible in the zone
R
Visual Management:
Complexity Thinking
Image: © Warner Bros. Pictures http://www.intellimusica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Inception-Top-Wallpaper-Sohan-Surag.jpgC
No VisualManagement?
So What Flow To Use?
Basic Flow?Process Flow?
R
At Home
La Marzocco
• Predictable• No Expert
RequiredSimple
• Predictable• Expert
RequiredComplicated
• Unpredictable• Expert
RequiredComplexWorld Barista
Championships
Complex Coffee RR
At Home• Predictable• No Expert
RequiredSimple
Is Visual Management
needed?
Coffee At Home
C
La Marzocco• Predictable• Expert
RequiredComplicated
Is Visual Management needed?
To Do Doing Done
Large Latte 2 sugars
Macchiato 1 Sugar
Flat White
Large Latte 2 sugars
Cappuccino2 Sugars
Expresso
Coffee At A Coffee Shop
Variability is Small
R
To Do Doing Done
Large Latte 2 sugars
Macchiato 1 Sugar
Flat White
Large Latte 2 sugars
Cappuccino2 Sugars
Expresso
Coffee At A Coffee Shop
Variability is Small
R
Is Visual Management needed?
To Do Doing DoneGet
tableclothOrder cups
Test new roast
(day 7)
Test Kenyan Roast
Test new roast
(day 8)
Test new roast
(day 9)
Diffuser delivery
Waiting
World BaristaChampionships
• Unpredictable• Expert
RequiredComplex
Stop
Championship Coffee
Dependency Management
Events Block Flow
Significant Variability
Extended Flow
R
Systemic Flow Mapping
Systemic Mapping
(Organisation)
Net Mapping(Stakeholders
)
Image: http://www.infoq.com/resource/articles/net-map/en/resources/NetMap-Example.jpghttp://solutioneers.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/systemic-flow-mapping-early-synergystic.pngR/C
Back At Work?
Choose the complexity of your work to
determine the complexity of
your board
Image: © Warner Bros. Pictures http://filmjournal.net/100films/files/2010/08/2010_inception_014-1.jpg
Some work may cross over complexity boundaries
R
Visual Management:
UsabilityImage: © 20th Century Fox http://www.ropewalksliverpool.com/images/made/uploads/images/6432-minorityreport_600_super_725_340_90_s_c1.jpgC
Visual Management:
Usability
Why do we care about usability
for software?
Why don’t we care about usability in
visual management
?
Image: © 20th Century Fox http://www.tomcruise.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/tom-cruise-minority-report2.jpgC
Index Cards Have a low variability in sizes
and shapes of cards
RR
As a creator of user storiesI want to use the right coloured penSo that it is quicker for the brain to read
As a creator of user storiesI want to use the right coloured penSo that it is quicker for the brain to read
Colour Contrast
Use a strong contrast of pen to
index colour
Use a pen that works!
C
As a creator of user storiesI want to write neatlySo that it is quicker for the brain to read and recognise the work
As a creator of user storiesI want to write neatlySo that it is quicker for the brain to read and recognise the work
Writing Style
Write neatly or print cards.
Size does matter!
Although…Research shows
hard to read fonts promote better
recall.Go figure…
R
Avatars
Use real photos not characters or
images
Although, balance this with fun or team theme.
Renee T
DEPLOYED
Tokens to determine status
R
As Craig
I want my picture used for my personaSo that it is quicker to recognise all the work for me
In order for it to be quicker to recognise all the work for me
As Craig
I want my picture used for my persona
User Story Templates
Use pictures / graphics for personas
Use bold / underline to emphasise quick
searching
Be consistent with layout and template
Think differentPut the value first
Don’t write two words or the solution!C
Analyse Develop Test Cust ReviewBacklog
Doing Done Doing DoneCR Doing DoneDep Doing ADep
Done
Board Size
Can you stand back and see the whole
flow?
Can you zoom in on an area of interest?
Continuous Delivery is looking
left and right!Avoid Water-Scrum-
FallC
Board Contrast
Ensure that flow lines are not higher in
contrast than the work items
Have a strong contrast between the work
items and the surface behind them
Painters tape
R
Board Relatedness
Create relatedness of
sections through colours
Create relatedness of
queues through shading
Paint or Cardboard
R
Back At Work?
Think about design when
initiating a team
Find solutions that are quick but
effective
Image: © 20th Century Fox http://www.zuguide.com/images/10654/10654.0.570.359.jpg
Good design == faster response
== faster deliveryC
Visual Management:GamificationC
Should work be
fun?
Image: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQOFvq6Glsk/TWUDjAesz0I/AAAAAAAAADM/cFJWykp8ADM/s1600/fun+at+work.jpgCC
Achievements Wall
.
.
I don’t mind a good game of blackjack too
All cards on the team’s flowboard have estimates
against them
The only way is up!The Cumulative Flow Diagram has been
consistently updated each day for four weeks
RR
Gaming Development
IDE Broken Build Messages
Broken Build Hat
Get Out…Free Cards
C
Back At Work?
Make work fun!
Image: http://www.agent-x.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Pacman_on_twitter-0723634-218bc0c.jpg
Choose your gaming to the
environment and the people
Intrinsic motivation
trumps extrinsic driven goals
R
Final Thoughts
Image: http://www.laboratoriopop.com.br/imagensUpload/45189434231.jpg
R
Is my wall
telling me the whole story?
Probably not!
Start by mapping the flow
Keep adjusting
Image: http://ctparentingclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/lets-talk-post-it-notes-300x199.jpgC
Reinforce the zone
Always go back to the zone for
discussions about workLead others by
example and take all meetings or status updates to the wall
Image: http://www.romanpichler.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/iStock_000014624446Medium.jpgR
But my team is distributed…
Like distributed Agile, it takes more work!
You need an electronic zone
The default tool dashboards are
averageImage: http://ezylearn.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Lonely-office-man-003.jpgC
Spend your effort wisely…
Image: © Bays & Thomas Productions http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLp9UDsboyU/TWExLggxICI/AAAAAAAAAp4/53_rS2PrzPM/s1600/Barney+Stinson+Quotes.jpg
C
Our ultimate goal is
to deliver value &
good quality!
Image: © Miller-Milkis Productions http://www.cointalk.com/attachments/194954d1344827742-fonzie_add.jpgC
Questions?
agileforest.com
@agilerenee
craigsmith.id.au
@smithcdau
Craig Smith
Renee Troughton
unbounddna.com
theagilerevolution.com
We are grateful to assistance from:
@craigstrong
leanpub.com\AgileForest