Agile training: efficient learning

What is Agile training?

Agile training, Agile transformation, Agile development, and Agile adoption. What do these terms mean and why are organizations attempting to take on these concepts? Many frameworks are related to Agile principles, you may also hear Scrum, Kanban, Lean and eXtreme Programming linked in conversation. These conversations come up most prevalently in the learning and development and human resources profession.

As much as this concept is talked about, chances are that no one really tells you what it is and why people use it. This article will first explain what is Agile and how to implement Agile training.

What is Agile?

Agile uses a core set of values and principles to form the base of a way of working. There are different frameworks developed from Agile principles that all link back to the core values and principles. For example, Scrum can be used to plan and develop software that delivers effective results for the user’s needs.

The unique quality of Agile is that it breaks away from the mindset of traditional management and leadership hierarchy, which can be constraining. There are some core principles that can be found in all frameworks of Agile and they must be understood before implementing Agile training.

• Embrace failure and view it as an opportunity to learn and therefore a pathway to success. Failing is usually the quickest and most effective way of learning and growing.
• Be conscious of continuous learning, there is an opportunity to learn at every step, it is not something that is stagnant or scheduled. Continuous learning means continuous improvement and development, you want this mindset to ring true for individuals and a team. It is critical that there is a readiness to handle a rapid change in pace and disruption at any point in time.
• Do not be hung up on titles. With Agile, there is a focus on the work performed as a team than what individual positions should be doing. Each person has their strengths and weaknesses and understanding how to leverage these skills to complete tasks is a principle in Agile.
• Do not be bound to rigid structures and plans. Change is good and should be embraced, this nurtures an adaptable power that is hugely beneficial. Work in tighter circles to see what it is that the team needs to work for in the short-term. This will enable an organization to meet customer needs more efficiently.

Tips on Agile training

It is imperative that all project team members attend common training when implementing Agile. This way, whole teams will be given the same message, concepts, and implementation tactics that will generate a common mindset. This mindset will establish the language and perspective that will be adopted by the organization as a whole. This will ensure that the chances of successful implementation will be higher and reduce future conflicts, confusion, and failure.

It is also recommended that training is held in a different venue that the primary workplace to encourage concentration and reduce interruptions.

Here are some common paths to take with Agile training.

Scrum

Scrum is a framework that helps teams work together. It simultaneously inspires teams to self-organize and learn whilst problem-solving, and assess that they have done well or badly to continuously improve.

It is commonly perceived as a project management framework used by software development teams that prescribes a set of tools, meetings, and roles that work in conjunction to help teams manage their work.

Kanban

Kanban is more suited to operationalized work. It is used to implement software development and requires full transparency of work and real-time communication of capacity, this allows a team member to have access to see the state of different projects and pieces of work at any time.

Lean

The Lean principle is a process structure that focusses on minimizing risk and waste whilst maximizing customer value. Be prepared to eliminate anything that does not add value and work on what is required at the present. It builds efficiency and productivity. It helps an organization grow in a way that builds quality into a product.

Agile training forms a baseline understating of which principles and framework to implement. But it does take a shift in thinking for all teams for it to be successful.