3 minute read
Applying Agile to
Applying Agile to... Communicating With Colleagues
Good communication skills are important in any situation, but especially for “big-A” and “little-a” agile work. The following are a few scenarios you may find yourself in where clear, engaging communication is the chief task ahead of you.
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Choose Your Path: Follow the arrows below to see where you’d wind up on the agile spectrum in
these situations. Are you taking the most agile approach?
Scenario 1
Your boss assigns you a last-minute project due in two days. You already have a lot on your plate, and finishing the project on time would likely mean you have to cancel personal obligations. What do you do?
Ask your boss about possible extensions?
Yes. See if there’s flexibility. No. It was assigned.
Gauge availability, ability and oppenness of others to help? Prioritize projects and communicate realistic expectations?
Yes. No. That’s not your role. Yes. Set expectations. No. Get as much done as possible.
Most agile
Least agile
Takeaway: Open communication and maximum flexibility lead to the most agile outcome.
Takeaway: Maximize opportunities for audience feedback. Make sure you open the door to ideas you might have missed.
Scenario 2
You’re charged with leading a survey to gauge opinions on a new agency policy. How do you design the questions?
Does the survey have boxes for open responses?
Yes, you want space for answers you may not have considered. No, you want concrete, statistically significant responses, so it’s multiple choice.
Does your survey have comment space only at the end or after every multiple choice? Do you allow respondents to rate responses? (ex. 1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree)
After multiple choice. You want specificity and to maximize the value of each question
At the end. Why create more work for respondents after every question?
Yes. You want more ways to sort info and identify areas of need. No. This data is of little use. You just need to know their answers.
Most agile Least agile
Yes or No? Answer the questions below to grasp how agile you are. Also consider what other factors
could make these situations more agile.
Scenario 3
You’re facilitating the daily standup meeting to track progress on a project or product. Assess the standup.
Most agile Least agile
Is it short? (15 minutes or less) Is everyone addressed, not just one person? Is it at the same time, same place every day? Yes Yes Somewhat Yes No No No
Are team members late? No Sometimes Yes Is everyone prepared to share progress or impediments? Yes No Are the details of problems or ideas discussed? No Somewhat Yes Are clarifying questions asked to understand common goals? Yes No Is the team energized? Yes Somewhat No
Takeaway: Standup meetings should ultimately encourage teamwork, trust and transparency.
Scenario 4
You’re presenting on a work topic at an all-hands meeting. How do you lead the presentation? Most agile Least agile
Do you have an agenda?
Yes Do you articulate the main purpose of the presentation? Yes Somewhat Do you have visual elements to accompany your presentation? Yes
Do you speak about main points that are relevant to the audience? Yes Somewhat
Do you engage the audience throughout? Do you take questions or comments? Do you allow multiple ways for people to ask questions or add comments? (written, verbal, etc.) Do you reiterate the main purpose or takeaway? Yes Somewhat Yes Yes
Yes Somewhat No No No
No
No No No
No
