First of all, I like Scrum. I think it can be a great framework when used in the right place. But I also think it must be taught as a tool in your toolbox, not an end in and of itself. This means initial training of Scrum should include more of the flow model (eliminating delays in workflow, feedback and using information) on which it is based. Test-first methods should also be incorporated into this training. This combination allows for teams to avoid most of the pitfalls teams new to Scrum face. I also believe one should look to see if Scrum or Kanban is better for a particular team (or something in between). See first comment for how I do this.
See Why Agile Coaches Need to Know Both Scrum and Kanban.
Creating software has several aspects to it.
Although all of this creates a very complex process, only the first three are fairly unpredictable, the fourth is not.
What is the Most Important Question to Ask a Potential Trainer Teaching Anything But an Introductory Workshop (e.g. CSM)?
This is important because it guarantees the trainer will understand the materials. And because you know they are prepared to handle skepticism met during the presentation.
Here is what trainers know. Creating course materials deepens your knowledge of the materials. You can question the assertions being made. You understand the order, and the reason for that particular order. You can anticipate questions that will be asked and the students’ skepticism. You are prepared to teach… and not simply to convey information.
A recent trend for certifying bodies is to bring in outside trainers to create materials for them. In many ways, this is good. However it means that these bodies are becoming somewhat more focused on marketing than on creating new concepts. They are taking other peoples’ work and putting it into their marketing and delivery channels. And they have trainers deliver courses who haven’t developed experience through build the materials.
They lack the deeper knowledge to help their students.
Author Al ShallowayPosted on 2019-02-04 2019-02-15 Categories Audio Available, Learning Teaching CoachingLeave a comment on What is the Most Important Question to Ask a Potential Trainer Teaching Anything But an Introductory Workshop (e.g. CSM)?
Focus on Scrum. Use its practices, events and artifacts to drive teams to improve. For example, time boxing requires smaller stories. Releasable quality code at the end of the sprint encourages team members to work together. Retrospections are about learning. Daily Scrums provide an opportunity to pivot each day. This is the common way certified training is done.
Take a CSM course and teach it to your teams. This somewhat follows the above method as CSM classes also focus on Scrum.
Learn principles of flow (Lean) and Agile. Focus on how to do Agile work (small stories, collaboration, test-first, …) and then teach Scrum in how to support it.
The first two approaches teach Scrum but leave it to the team to learn what they need to do. The last approach gets people started on their real work and teaches how Scrum can support it.
Note: When I write things like this it seems clear to me which of these is the best way. Is it not clear to others?
The reason? After 20 yrs of working to help people see how to do their work better I find I’m fighting the same battles I was 20 yrs ago. Only the difference is now we know what to do & there are active forces working against it. Waterfall was just an ineffective belief system-but no one was behind it.
Back then no one understood Agile or Lean or test-first or the importance of flow. We didn’t have modern learning methods nor the technology we have now that enables remote, on the job training.