Bridging the Gap Between Data-Driven Project Managers and Feedback-Oriented Agile Teams

Agile is Chaos. While obviously untrue, it’s a cliché that persists. To the traditional project manager, Agile can be difficult.
How do you create a reliable project plan when the scope changes every two weeks? How do you make trustworthy predictions when progress is measured in abstract story points, or when decisions are taken at the last moment?
For Agile teams, how do you keep stakeholders off your back, who seem to care only about delivery dates and cost?

Training type: Open session and In Company
Duration: 1 day

This training will enable you to:

  • Evaluate whether a project will benefit from an Agile approach
  • Report reliably on progress using a mix of traditional and Agile metrics
  • Report reliably on aggregated delivery predictability (beyond the scope of a single project)
  • Master the complex relationship between Story Points and real time (e.g., mandays)
  • Use WIP (Work in Progress) limits to avoid the cost of overloading delivery teams
  • Identify the responsibilities of the various roles in an Agile delivery context
  • Apply the “Iron Triangle” to mitigate and solve project roadblocks and delays
  • Translate the concerns of the business stakeholders to an Agile team, and vice versa
  • Use simple decision trees (provided in the training) to guide you towards sound and conscious decisions

Pedagogical approach:

In this training, we will provide a solid theoretical framework, which we will then apply in a hands-on, practical way.
The day will mostly be spent in a workshop format; active participation is a must. There will be plenty of opportunities for peer learning, and sharing experiences with each other. We will learn from each other and use real-life situations and problems as much as possible.
Participants are highly encouraged to bring examples of situations that they have struggled with.

Content:

  • Agile vs Traditional mindsets.
  • When to use Agile.
  • Stacey & Cynefin frameworks.
  • Story Points & estimation.
  • Story Points vs man-days.
  • Agile roles & responsibilities.
  • Project Manager in Agile.
  • Agile metrics & KPIs.
  • Hybrid reporting.
  • Predictability across projects.
  • Business–team communication.

This training is aimed for:

  • Project Managers

  • Business Managers and Sponsors

  • Scrum masters

  • To a lesser extent : Product Owners and members of Agile Delivery Teams.

No prerequisites are required.

Typical program