Work with Diana

Support Effective Agile Teams

Diana’s Hands

Diana discovers solutions and possibilities where others find only barriers and obstacles.

The buzz about Agile makes promises that the reality of Agile adoption rarely keeps.

Greater agility delivers better software quality, more effective work process, and reduced turnover. It promises happier customers, more humane workplaces. and stronger leadership. Yet many “Agile” approaches can be naive when it comes to organizational change. Diana works with business leaders to design work systems and improve project performance. She inspires teams to greatness while supporting leader and enterprise agility.

Diana consults, coaches, mentors, and trains. She would love to work with you on:

She delivers inspiring conference keynote talks and facilitates productive Open Space Technology events.

Contact Diana to learn more about available workshops, consulting, or speaking engagements.

The Agile Fluency Model

There is no perfect Agile solution. Yet, there is a best Agile solution for your organization. Agile is not an end unto itself. Agile is a means to achieve the highest possible return on your investment.

The Agile Fluency Model works as a map to determine which Agile practices will give you the best, customized results. Where are you now? Where do you need to be?

Discover a rough sense of your ideal placement on the path when you answer the following three questions.

Question 1 Does your company make software as its central business?

If Yes, any of the four fluency destinations may be appropriate for your company.

If No, it’s likely that a Focusing or Delivering Zone fluency is appropriate for your company.

Question 2 Which Agile Fluency zone do you aspire to?

Individual contributors work in collaborative teams. Teams’ performance and progress is transparent and visible to the business. Teams work with product people to produce valuable deliverables. Product managers redirect the teams’ work toward more value at will.

Your technical teams consistently deliver business value on the market cadence. Product sponsors can choose to release at will. Teams create software with no or low defects. They spend more time creating new features, and less time on hotfixes or rework.

Cross-functional teams contain all the skillsets and domain knowledge needed. Teams deliver exactly what the customer wants. They even anticipate what customers might need next. All the expertise lies within the team, minimizing handoffs or waiting for decisions. Organizational structure supports the creation of value. Business liaisons and teams cover each other’s blind-spots, checking false assumptions about customer needs.

Your teams contribute to the greater good of the organization beyond team product focus. Innovation and discovery flourish in every team’s daily work.

Question 3 How much time are you willing to invest in an agile transformation?

Systemic transformation takes time, but the rewards are worth it! Are you ready to invest what it takes to achieve your best Agile solution? Your team’s starting place may vary, but all teams must be Pre-Agile to start on the Agile Fluency path.

Depending on initial conditions, it typically takes a team four to eight months to develop from Pre-Agile to Focusing in the Agile Fluency model.

Depending on initial conditions, it typically takes a team six months to two years to develop from Pre-Agile to Delivering in the Agile Fluency model.

Depending on initial conditions, it typically takes a team one to five years to develop from Pre-Agile to Optimizing in the Agile Fluency model.

How do you get to where you need to be?

Your destination and your path depend on the specifics of your business as well as your teams’ current fluency. How can you be sure you embrace the methods that will deliver the results you need? Immersed in the Agile world, Diana Larsen has deep expertise in both team analysis and organizational change management. Diana will ensure your focus is on Agile approaches appropriate to your business bottom-line.

Contact us today!

Ready? Let’s schedule a conversation about getting started on the path toward your “best fit Agile.” Send your name and email address and Diana will be in touch!

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