If we are “doing agile” why isn't every team “doing it the same”? Let’s chat about the reasons (positive and negative) about the differences between teams at your organizations. What it the impact on the individuals and companies? Why should we be similar in actions? Where does it make sense to differ? How do we avoid dysfunctions between teams, management, and other important roles & partners as we honor differences?

W. Edwards Deming said in his book Out of the Crisis, "The most important figures that one needs for management are unknown or unknowable, but successful management must nevertheless take account of them." Are metrics truly valuable for our teams and who is the most important audience? What dysfunction might we introduce with "measurable" metrics? What positive results could we see with collecting team data?

Let's explore the benefits, risks, and how to avoid abuse of metrics as they relate to teams. Bring your worst nightmares, your success stories, then let's compare and see how we can effectively evaluate the use of metrics and the types of metrics we use in our Agile teams.

True or false? While Agile is meant to focus teams and companies on delivering customer value, very few Agile adopters today are actually measuring value. What have you have found to be true in your experience?

Strangely, we often hear of teams adopting many great Agile practices but missing this core element of true value delivery. What might be holding our Agile teams back? What stories can we share of Agile teams measuring value in meaningful ways? Why is it so difficult to measure customer and business value? What actually works? Is it measurement that most affects a team's focus on understanding and delivering value or the culture of the company?

Are you in an organization that isn't traditionally associated with agile? Perhaps the water bureau or a non-profit? Or are you in an organization that is committed to a very structured project, process or quality framework? Either way our 4th Friday conversation this month is just for you.

If your organization somewhere in the middle; wanting to be agile but not entirely set up for it OR you are in a well oiled agile shop, my experience is that the folks applying agile in non-traditional places have a lot to teach us. Come join the conversation!

Staying Strong in an Agile world

As Agile champions we sometimes wrestle with the unknowable and get up close and personal with organizational dysfunction. It's a perpetual challenge.

So how do you stay strong, calm and effective when your world is just a tad crazy? Join us for a conversation about what helps rejuvenate you when your Agile journey gets bumpy.

Events are made possible by the AgilePDX community and our sponsors, including platinum sponsor ProFocus Technology (https://www.profocustechnology.com/). Learn more about our sponsors at https://agilepdx.org/sponsorship.

Coaching is one of the most powerful tools used in agile. And yet... being a great coach is much harder than it seems. This month at the west-side cafe, we are going to discuss coaching in relationship to servant leadership. We will ask ourselves: As a team member, SM, etc how do we coach those who need coaching and may not realize (or admit it)?

Events are made possible by the AgilePDX community and our sponsors, including platinum sponsor ProFocus Technology (https://www.profocustechnology.com/). Learn more about our sponsors at https://agilepdx.org/sponsorship.

Now that we’re in an Agile world we’re all happy, aren’t we? Oh. Perhaps you are in an organization that "does" agile without "being" agile. Or, you have sticky pockets of waterfall in your mostly agile group. Or, you are trying to transition and folks are saying it doesn't feel safe. Friday November 22nd on the Westside, we are going to talk about the sometimes bumpy road from waterfall to agile. Come and join in, bring your war stories and insights. Help us work out how we can smooth the road from waterfall to agile.

Limited spots! Reserve your seat at https://www.meetup.com/AgilePDX-User-Group-Portland-Metro/events/266025155/

Events are made possible by the AgilePDX community and our sponsors, including platinum sponsor ProFocus Technology (https://www.profocustechnology.com/). Learn more about our sponsors at https://agilepdx.org/sponsorship.