Is it Just Time to Change Agile Training?

The benefits of Disciplined Agile are many. As a tool kit, it provides guidance to help organizations choose their way of working in a context-sensitive manner. Our strategy is similar in many ways to the adoption roadmap that has been part of Discipline Agile guidance, with a few key differentiators, one of which is options for training. Figure 1 is our lean change approach to Disciplined Agile transformation.

Figure 1: Key Areas of our Transformation Roadmap

There has been one constant since the dawn of Agile Training. Really since the start of training for any professional development. The way it is delivered.

Agile training is based on a relatively short period of intensive learning. With some agile frameworks, individuals can become certified in a specific approach with just a single workshop. We all know, and for a good reason, becoming certified in Disciplined Agile requires more of a time commitment. Beyond the entry level designation, it involves a combination of training and validated experience. Still, within four or three or two full days of intensive instruction (depending on existing certifications an individual may have), practitioners are armed with the knowledge needed to obtain Certification. For all organizations bringing in a new team member (employee or contractor) with a DA certification will be very valuable. For some organizations, upfront certification for existing team members is the right choice. Yet, this may not be the best choice for some organizations, and they should have an option.

Traditionally, most DA certification workshops were held in person, requiring the practitioner to be away from their day job and perhaps even travel to a different location for the training. This time and these expenses add up quickly. 

With travel halted earlier this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all training is being done remotely. While remote training is an area Process Mentors excels, the main difference between virtual and physical training is location. Training modules are still based on multi-day intensive learning just before a certification exam.

The roots of DA are centered on choice, flexibility, and context. These options can now similarly be a factor in how training for a team’s chosen tailoring (instance of) DA is delivered. 

Certification has always been the starting point. Certified practitioners possess the skills and knowledge to be successful in DA. The most widely used path to Certification is excellent for individuals.

Is it the best approach for the company? Maybe. But there may be better options too. Taking the time out of the office, or even for remote learning days, stressing already stressed teams. Their work responsibilities are put on hold or left for someone else to pick up. There are substantial costs to the business for this. Additionally, once a practitioner becomes certified, it could be weeks or potentially even months before applying the knowledge learned initially in a training workshop. Knowledge is most certainly lost over this time, another loss for the company that might be avoided.

Classroom instruction, training, workshops, and the like only represent a fraction of overall learning. Many of the most critical components of skills needed to be successful are learned by hands-on doing. The “Hands-On-Theory” suggests people produce knowledge and form meaning based upon their experiences. Mastering skills in real-world situations develop long-lasting learnings and practices that can be applied in multiple and diverse environments. 

Process Mentors has successfully adopted this type of Just-in-Time approach for clients over the past decade. Rather than focusing on the individual, we focus on the client and specific, real-world business problems. With this option, rather than start the learning with Certification, certifications are earned after implementing DA in real-world environments. Figure 2 is a sample of the process decisions a team has made and the practices they will need to understand and put into use.

Figure 2: Sample JIT Practice Training

We’ve taken the most widely selected practice options from DA, developed a vast set of cohesive modules that can be chosen from to form the just in time training plan for any given team. These modules take anywhere from 15 minutes to only 45 minutes to deliver. They provide just enough context for teams to immediately put that learning into action, as they then do the work. Figure 3 depicts the powerful combination of JIT training & coaching.

Figure 3: JIT Practice Training + Coaching

For approximately the same training budget, a company receives training for several weeks or even several months instead of just a few days. Rather than one or two team members being trained, entire teams can be taught. Once the project is complete, practitioners seeking Certification are armed with real-world experience to achieve it. 

Figure 4: Same training single day vs. spread over time 

Just like teams have the option to choose their way of working, organizations now can choose the way they want training delivered. For many, access to a Certified Disciplined Agile Instructor or Coach for weeks or months compared to a few days is a better business decision. For more information, please contact us at info@processmentors.com.