What can we learn from this iconic structure as project managers? Here are a few key takeaways: 1๏ธโฃ A Clear Vision Is EssentialThe Wall was built with a clear purpose: protection and unification. Similarly, projects thrive when everyone understands the “why” behind the work. As project leaders, we must ensure that our teams align with …
Category: Agile
Dec 10
๐๐ง๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ฆ: ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ง ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐รฉ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐โ
Facilitating meaningful conversations in large groups can be challenging. Thatโs where the World Cafรฉ technique comes in! It’s a structured, interactive method to foster collaborative dialogue, uncover insights, and build consensus. Hereโs how to run it effectively: ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ: ๐๐ญ๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ญ๐๐ฉ ๐ 1๏ธโฃ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฉ:Divide participants into small groups and assign each group to …
Dec 03
๐ Context Switching: The Silent Productivity Killer ๐
You’re deep into an important task when your phone rings. You switch to handle the call. Suddenly, an urgent email pops up, demanding immediate attention. Before you know it, youโve jumped between three tasks, and nothing’s finished. Sound familiar? That’s the hidden cost of context switchingโjumping between tasks, which can reduce productivity by up to …
Nov 27
๐ฆ Project Teams and the Prisonerโs Dilemma: A Lesson in Collaboration
There is a game inspired by the Prisoner Dilemma that I like to facilitate. What is the Prisonerโs Dilemma? The Prisonerโs Dilemma is a classic thought experiment in game theory. Two thieves must decide independently whether to cooperate or betray each other, with the outcomes reflecting their choices: Both cooperate: They achieve the best mutual …
Nov 25
๐ฆ Symptoms vs Problems in Project Management ๐ฆ
ย In project management, itโs easy to confuse symptoms with problems. However, identifying the root cause is the key to unlocking successful solutions. Hereโs a common example:๐ Symptom: โOur team keeps missing deadlines.โ๐ Problem: Poor backlog refinement, unclear priorities, or a lack of capacity planning. Or another:๐ Symptom: โOur stakeholders are unhappy with deliverables.โ๐ Problem: …
Nov 14
๐ก Rotational Refinement in LeSS ๐ก
Scaling Agile with LeSS (Large-Scale Scrum) requires team collaboration, especially during backlog refinement. One effective technique I love isRotational Refinement. How It Works:1๏ธโฃ Kickoff Together: All teams meet to understand high-priority backlog items, aligning on goals and requirements.2๏ธโฃ Group Refinement: Teams split into smaller groups to refine items by adding details, identifying risks, and breaking …
Nov 04
Kickstart Your Project with an Inception Deck!
ย Before kicking off a new project, one of the tools I like to use is the Inception Deck. Originally introduced by Jonathan Rasmusson in his book The Agile Samurai, I fully recommend this book, the Inception Deck is designed to ensure everyoneโfrom team members to stakeholdersโis on the same page from the very start. …
Oct 30
Unleashing Creativity with the Marshmallow Challenge: The Power of Prototyping
The Marshmallow Challenge is a simple exercise with profound lessons: teams get spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow and are challenged to build the tallest possible structure with the marshmallow on top. Surprisingly, kindergartners often outperform business students! Why? They prototype. Rather than planning endlessly, they test and iterate quickly, learning from each attempt. This …
Oct 22
Situational Leadership Part 2: Engaging and Motivating Your Team
Continuing from my previous post on the Situational Leadership Theory by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, we covered the Telling (S1) styleโideal for providing strong direction when your team needs clear guidance.Next up is the Selling (S2) style: ๐น Selling (S2): Leaders still provide direction but focus on engaging and motivating the team. Communication is …
Oct 21
Situational Leadership Part 1: Adapting to Your Team’s Needs
Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The Situational Leadership Theory, developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, highlights the importance of flexibility. The best leaders adapt their style based on their teamโs maturity and the specifics of the task. This ensures that leadership is aligned with the teamโs needs, fostering better collaboration and outcomes. Hersey and …