An agile approach to event planning

Annabel BradfordMarketing Communities & Events Manager, Redgate

Redgate Software

638,735Users rely on Redgate’s software

91% Fortune 100 companies that use our tools

Redgate supports the community – est. 2000• Sponsorship program for events, meetings, and

groups.• Conference schedule of industry and community

events where we exhibit at with a crew• Friends of Redgate Program & Speaker Program

• Redgate’s annual conference - welcomes hundreds of Database professionals – our customers & prospects

• Educates our audience about Redgate products and provides a memorable and insightful event experience

• 18 events in 5 years: including US roadshows, US & UK annual events

SQL in the City – est. 2011

“The world’s most trusted tools for database changes”

Today’s session

• The #eventprof lifestyle

• Traditional event planning processes

• An alternative

• Agile in practice

• Key strengths of the agile approach

• Measuring success and continually improving

Expectations on #Eventprofs

Event planning processes

- Most common approach to event planning- Setting things out too early can restrict you

Event planning processes

- Times have changed- Being reactive isn’t enough- High attendee expectations

- You need to work in a way that supports you, your team, your objectives, and your attendees

An alternative

As Dory says, “…there’s always another way”

“Agile”

“The ability to create and respond to change in order to succeed in an uncertain and turbulent environment.”

There are 12 Principles Behind the Agile Manifesto –The guiding practices that support teams in implementing and executing with agility.

Key principles that apply

> User feedback

> Collaboration

> Continuous improvement

1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.

6. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.

12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.

How to ‘be’ agile

Lessons learnt from agile project management at Redgate

Innovate• Gather user feedback to improve through innovationsStay flexible• Keep an open mind and collaborate with colleaguesAdapt• Change tack to continually improve and exceed expectations

Agile event planning in reality – tip #1Customer feedback should guide your next event

Agile event planning in reality – tip #2

Collaborate using whiteboards and Team stand-ups

Agile event planning in reality – tip #3Never be afraid to continually improve

Agile event planning in reality – bonus tip

Communicate the event objectives

Measuring success and continually improving

• Team satisfaction levels

• Event KPIs

• Post-event retrospectives

5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.

7. Working software is the primary measure of progress.

12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.

Key strengths of the agile approach

Embrace it and adapt your way of working

• Less stress • In control• Better work-life balance• More successful events

I really can’t pin point any draw-backs

Takeaways

1. Collaborate via whiteboards and team stand-ups

2. Gather customer feedback to guide your next event

3. Never be afraid to continually improve

4. Communicate objectives

Thank youGet in touch on twitter @abjbradfordEmail: annabel.bradford@red-gate.com Slides: slideshare.net/annabelredgate/

Questions and thoughts...