Starting an Agile Center of Excellence

Photo by Stuart Rankin

Let me first say: I don't love the name "Center of Excellence." This is not about starting a group that has a monopoly on excellence or good ideas with an organization. Just the opposite--this is an entity that helps the organization become more excellent, which includes spotting internal excellence and promoting it.

Regardless of what you call it, an Agile Center of Excellence is meant to be a helpful, consultative group. Not a strict instrument of governance or compliance. While the group may help define mechanisms to promote transparency about product and team health, there is real danger in a COE becoming the internal compliance police.

Digging in further to the idea that an Agile Center of Excellence is a helpful, consultative group that helps an organization become more excellent, the vision of this entity is important. I've found it helpful to use an elevator statement format and Jason Little's strategic change canvas to gain alignment on the group's mission.

Another big challenge in starting an Agile COE is defining success criteria. What are the measurable results you are seeking? Why is this group being established? We often start thinking about the activities or services the COE will provide and how to measure them. I think of those services as the how. Measurements of these activities are our leading measures. I urge you to go deeper: what are the business outcomes wanted that are fostering the COE's genesis? The really important stuff that's probably harder to measure and will take longer to change: increased customer satisfaction, cost savings, more revenue, shorter time to market, etc. What is the reason for agile in the organization?

Why is it so important to define success criteria like this? It hinges on changes from people outside of the Agile Center of Excellence, which feels risky. And it is. Because it means that the Agile Center of Excellence is connected to the organization and must respond to its needs. The COE's success points to the why of the organization's change. I find that it enables--perhaps requires--the Center of Excellence to change, evolve, and pivot its offerings in order to continue helping the organization. It allows for agility by the group, which I think is important for those wishing to further enable agility. How cool would it be to see more Agile Centers of Excellence like that?

Allison Pollard

Allison Pollard helps overwhelmed technical leaders debug their management approach. She teaches them how to manage up, support people through change, and make time for strategic work. Her education in computer science, mathematics, and English from Southern Methodist University helps her connect technical work with people management. As a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Allison focuses on improving product delivery and leadership culture. Her experience includes work in energy, retail, financial, real estate, and transportation industries. Allison regularly speaks at global conferences like Scrum Gatherings and Agile Alliance's Agile20xx. She promotes women's leadership as the program director for Women in Agile's Mentorship program. When she's not working, Allison likes to drink lattes and listen to Broadway musicals. Allison is a proud glasses wearer and co-owner of Middlegame Partners.

http://www.allisonpollard.com
Previous
Previous

Time to Think Together

Next
Next

The Co- in Co-Presenting