Continuous Improvement from the trenches - LAST Conference - 18-09-2015

ContinuousImprovement from the trenches

rmckergowRyan McKergow

think sharprmckergowRyan McKergow |

Improving is hard


Change is emotionalM

oral

e

Shock

Denial

Time

Frustration

Depression

Experiment

Decision

Integration

The Kübler-Ross change curve


What change really looks like

Refer to this blog by @pawelbrodzinski: http://bit.ly/why-we-fail-to-change

Perfo

rman

ce

Time

Start AgileTransformation

https://twitter.com/pawelbrodzinski

http://bit.ly/why-we-fail-to-change



What inevitably happens..Pe

rform

anc

e

Time


Change agent fired






Kaizen vs Kaikaku

Kaizen: Japanese word for “incremental change”

or “continuous improvement”

Kaikaku:Japanese word for “radical change”


Kaizen vs KaikakuPe

rform

anc

e

Time







Kaizen“One of the most notable features of Kaizen is that big results come from many small changes accumulated over time. However, this has been misunderstood to mean that Kaizen equals small changes. In fact, Kaizen means everyone is involved in making improvements. While the majority of changes may be small, the greatest impact may be Kaizens that are led by senior management as transformational projects, or by cross-functional teams as Kaizen events.” Kaizen.com

http://www.kaizen.com/about-us/definition-of-kaizen.html


Continuous improvement is everyone’s responsibility


Continuous Improvement Techniques

5

from the trenches

think sharp

1. Retrospectives


Retros :: Top 5 Agile Techniques

DAILY STANDUPS

SHORTITERATIONS

PRIORITISEDBACKLOGS

ITERATIONPLANNING

RETROS

Refer to State of Agile Survey 2014: http://bit.ly/state-of-agile-survey

http://bit.ly/state-of-agile-survey




Retrospectives


Jeopardy @ SEEK

More instructions on this format: http://bit.ly/jeopardy-retro

http://bit.ly/jeopardy-retro

http://bit.ly/jeopardy-retro


Timeline Retro @ REA Group

More instructions on this format: http://bit.ly/timeline-retro

http://bit.ly/timeline-retro




Speedboat @ UniSuper

More instructions on this format: http://bit.ly/speedboat-retro

http://bit.ly/speedboat-retro

http://bit.ly/speedboat-retro

think sharp

How to maintaingreat retrospectives


Be prepared


Facilitated with intent


Encouraging appropriate behaviour


Clear actions that get followed up

think sharp

2. Lean Coffee


How does it work?


Lean Coffee @ UniSuper


How to setup Lean Coffee• Find the following:

– People who are interested– Venue that works for the group– Frequency that works for the group

• Limit the amount of people (~8 works well for us)

• Nominate a facilitator each time• Keep track of actions


Idea for a Lean Coffee hack

Refer to this blog by @jasonlittle: http://bit.ly/lean-coffee-hack

https://twitter.com/jasonlittle

http://bit.ly/lean-coffee-hack

http://bit.ly/lean-coffee-hack

think sharp

3. Team 1:1s


Team 1:1s @ REA Group


Team 1:1s @ REA GroupLeon Ryan Princy Vinh Miles

Leon 2pm 15/9 2pm 17/9

Ryan 3pm 14/9 10am 9/9 11am 10/9

Princy

Vinh 10am 12/9

Miles


Team 1:1s @ REA Group


My feedback

“Be careful not to be dismissive of non-Agile

approaches, particularly dismissive to

people. Gain an understanding of what are

the pros & cons of all approaches and where

each is appropriate.”

(Vinh – Business Analyst)


My feedback

“Learn to stand up for yourself more when

you have a strong opinion, especially when

working with strong personalities.”

(Leon – Developer)


How to set up teams 1:1s

• Find people who are interested• Be proactive in scheduling them• Put thought into your feedback• Push past the awkwardness• Remember to say thank you


Remember this…Leon Ryan Princy Vinh Miles

Leon 2pm 15/9 2pm 17/9

Ryan 3pm 14/9 10am 9/9 11am 10/9

Princy

Vinh 10am 12/9

Miles


How to set up teams 1:1s

• Find people who are interested• Be proactive in scheduling them• Put thought into your feedback• Push past the awkwardness• Remember to say thank you

think sharp

4. GuildsAlso known as Communities of Practice


Guilds


Presenters Guild @ Elabor8


How to setup a Guild

• Find the people who share a common passion

• Work out what works best for the Guild– Chatting on Slack / Yammer / Skype– Regular catch ups (i.e. Lean Coffee)– Practice your skill set together

• At least 1 person needs to drive the Guild (at least initially)

think sharp

5. Brown BagsAlso known as Lunch & Learns


Brown Bags @ UniSuper


Brown Bags @ Elabor8


How to setup Brown BagsGaining buy in / support:1. Get support from your team /

leadership2. Look for alignment with leadership’s

goals3. Identify support from withinHow to build excitement:4. Start with a topical talk5. Keep promoting the Brown Bags6. Mix the topics to keep everyone

interested


How to setup Brown BagsHow to maintain momentum:7. Trade with other organisations to get

speakers8. Select topics that challenge the

organisation – get them thinking about the future

Just remember…9. It’s about helping others, it’s not about

you

think sharp

Continuous Improvement Techniques 5

from the trenches

1. Retrospectives2. Lean Coffee3. Team 1:1s4. Guilds5. Brown Bags


Remember: Continuous improvement is everyone’s responsibility

think sharp

Continuous Improvementfrom the trenches


Innovation, Agile Transformation, Project Delivery?

Looking for a career in

We’re hiring!Visit: elabor8.com.au/careers


Image references1. Chris Chan blog, (2015). The Improvement Paradox - Too Busy To Improve?. [online] Available at:

http://c2reflexions.com/2015/08/05/the-improvement-paradox-too-busy-to-improve/ [Accessed 23 Aug. 2015].

2. Ricardounr.files.wordpress.com, (2015). The Kubler-Ross Change Curve. [online] Available at: https://ricardounr.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/change-curve.png [Accessed 23 Aug. 2015].

3. Brodzinski, P. (2015). Why We Fail to Change. [online] Brodzinski.com. Available at: http://brodzinski.com/2015/02/why-we-fail-to-change.html [Accessed 23 Aug. 2015].

4. Info.versionone.com, (2015). The 9th Annual State of Agile™ Survey. [online] Available at: http://info.versionone.com/state-of-agile-development-survey-ninth.html [Accessed 28 Aug. 2015].

5. Furnell, J. (2010). Facilitating Collaborative Design Workshops - a step by step guide for rapidly creating a shared vision for execution. [online] the architecture of everything. Available at: https://jasonfurnell.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/facilitating-collaborative-design-workshops-a-step-by-step-guide-for-rapidly-creating-a-shared-vision-for-execution/ [Accessed 23 Aug. 2015].

6. Little, J. (2015). Hacking a Conservative Organization with Lean Coffee | Lean Change Management. [online] Leanchange.org. Available at: http://leanchange.org/2012/11/hacking-a-conservative-organization-with-lean-coffee/ [Accessed 28 Aug. 2015].

7. Imagingigloo.com, (2015). One on ones. [online] Available at: http://imagingigloo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/one-on-one-meeting.png [Accessed 11 Aug. 2015].

8. Spotifylabscom.files.wordpress.com, (2015). [online] Available at: https://spotifylabscom.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/spotify-engineering-culture-part1.jpeg [Accessed 11 Aug. 2015].

Continuous Improvement from the trenches - LAST Conference - 18-09-2015

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Transcript of Continuous Improvement from the trenches - LAST Conference - 18-09-2015