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3-dots empty needs assessment

Is your Agile Development approach working for you? Or, if you are thinking about adopting Agile, do you have the capabilties to succeed? Answer the 12 questions below to determine your need for SPC's Agile coaches:

YES
NO
In my organization…
1. …we are comfortable that early project plans and product requirements will be high-level and that details will only emerge later on.

2.
…we know when Agile is a good choice for a project, and also when it isn't.


3.
we know how to adjust our Agile approach to fit less-then-perfect situations.

4. …our business counterparts recognize the commitment they need to put in to make this work.

5. …our business counterparts willingly commit enough time to participate to the extent needed by our Agile projects.

6.
…our teams regularly deliver value to the business by getting the right things done, at the right times.

7. …our development teams demonstrate close working relationships with their business counterparts and discuss project activities and issues from a business, not technical, point of view.

8. …our teams clearly understand which are the things that need to be done that will drive best value to the business, and recognize that these things may change over time.

9. …at the end of each development iteration we can see a working version of the software, with no half-finished features.

10.……we are comfortable letting go of our reliance on documents and email, focusing instead on letting working software and in-person communication carry the day.

11.
... everyone knows their how their role on the team (e.g. developer, tester, analyst, project manager, customer) fits into Agile Development.

12.
…we regularly review our Agile Development approach and fine-tune it based on the lessons learned each iteration.


TOTAL — Number answered with ‘No’:

Rank your total on the following scale:

Immediate Need: 10-12 points

  • Most, if not all, the factors needed for Agile projects to be successful are missing. SPC can conduct an immediate retrospective and assessment of your current situation to uncover the root causes of your problems. A solution involving training and facilitated project workshops, backed up by team coaching/mentoring, can be devised that will provide positive results starting with your very next iteration, or even the next day!
    Contact an SPC representative to get started right away.

Urgent Need: 6-9 points

  • While some of the important success factors for Agile projects are present, enough are missing (or are inconsistently present) to jeopardize you chances of success. A facilitaed retrospective led by one of SPC's expert Agile coaches will uncover the underlying issues and get everyone back on the same page. Backed up by additional training and coaching as needed, you can tap into SPC's expert knowledge and relevant insights to drive improved collaboration, better manage your requirements backlog, deliver more business value, and create a more productive project environment.
    Contact an SPC representative
    to explore your best options.

Evaluation Recommended: 4-5 points

  • You've got many of the basics under control. Now you're ready to go to the next level. A short evaluation of your current issues and opportunities by one of SPC's expert Agile coaches will help identify where you can leverage more advanced Agile practices to align your development efforts even closer to the needs of the business bottom line. SPC's catalog of Agile training includes topics such as Test-Driven Development, Continuous Integration, Agile Estimating, Agile Requirements, and Agile Testing can boost team performance to new heights.
    Contact an SPC representative to explore how you can evaluate your position.

Modest to None: 3 or fewer points

  • SPC's program of Agile training courses and facilitated workshops could be a great addition to your already successful Agile teams. Our catalog includes topics such as Test-Driven Development, Continuous Integration, Agile Requirements and Testing, Agile Estimating/planning, Managing/Building requirements backlog and more. Review your "No" answers and consider the cost of them.
    Contact an SPC representative
    , we will help you decide if further action is necessary.
1 2 Want to know more?
  • If you have a thorny business issue or Agile question you need answered fill out our on-line enquiry form.
  • If you're unsure if your Agile Development approach is working for you as it should or could -- Take our quick 12-question needs assessment or read up on what you need to do to deliver on the Agile promise.
  • If you're unsure if an Agile approach meets your needs, read up on the problems Agile can solve for you.
  • To learn more, we encourage you to contact an SPC representative. They understand our services from your perspective. You will get an honest picture without the hype. There's no risk, no obligation, and plenty of ways to see if SPC is right for you.

Our goal is to ensure our clients have the right process, technology and skills to deliver lasting change to their development organization. Discover why SPC is right for you.

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Learn more about how SPC's consulting services can optimize your Agile Development practices.

 

 


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