Conquering the Most Difficult Problems in China and Asia — Ethan Soo in Agile Tour 2010 Hangzhou

Conquering the Most Difficult Problems in China and Asia

— Ethan Soo in Agile Tour 2010 Hangzhou

1.      Getting Opinion

1)        Problem:

u        Golden mean

u        Safe to speak

u        We are not sale people

2)        Solution:

u        Safe environment

u        Gain trust from member

u        Don’t use the words against anyone

u        Do not interrupt

u        Things need time

2.      Self Organization

1)        Problem:

u        Used to boss to assign task

u        Boss can’t accept the opinion from member

2)        Solution:

u        Provide coaching from external

u        Company policy to encourage risk taking, provide protection

u        Accept the transition cost

3.      Remote PO, Busy PO

1)        Problem:

u        US, UK team is old, and China team is new

u        Customer is not in China, PO located close to customer

u        My PO is busy, PO not in the same reporting line

2)        Solution:

u        Communication is key, transparency is important

u        Build trust, deliver on promise

u        Keep working, never give up, eventually it will work

4.      Information Hiding

1)        Problem:

u        I can fix it before someone else know

u        Not looking good

2)        Solution:

u        Pay attention to spring burdown, daily scrum

u        Reward for failing early, communicate early

u        Need to build trust, need time

5.      Demotivate Resource

1)        Problem:

u        Inherited team?

u        Non-agile beliver

u        I just want to do my job and be 9:00~17:00

2)        Solution:

u        Create environment

u        “up or out” culture, think McKinsey/GE

u        Clear recognition, financial reward

6.      Gathering Performance Data

1)        Problem:

u        HR does not know how to measure agile performance

u        Traditional KPI doesn’t work well

u        Career development need

2)        Solution:

u        Best of the print competition

u        Winner and runner-up, can’t vote manager

u        Other people see what to do

u        Coach non-winner to try to win