SPA Conference session: The Role of an Agile Coach

One-line description:A simulation to exploring coaching styles
 
Session format: Simulation (75 mins) [read about the different session types]
 
Abstract:The surge in Agile adoption has created a demand for project managers and technical leads who coach rather than direct their teams. A sign of this trend is the ever-increasing number of people getting certified as scrum masters and agile leaders. Training courses that introduce agile practices are easy to find. But making the transition to a coaching role is not as simple as understanding what agile practices are.

In this session, we'll be exploring different coaching styles through a simulation. The debrief of the simulation draws out tips and tricks that can help you coach your team.



 
Audience background:Of interest to scrum masters, agile project managers and technical leads at the conference who want to help their team get agile.
No prior knowledge of agile practices required.
 
Benefits of participating:Have fun in the simulation and learn something about coaching.
 
Materials provided:kits for the simulation (pipecleaners, scissors, glue, etc).
 
Process:Short presentation about coaching that gets the group thinking about what a coach does and how.
Work in groups on an exercise with 3 roles: workers, coach, observer.
Debrief to capture lessons learned from participants.
 
Detailed timetable:00:00-00:10 Introduction
00:20-00:30 Discussion about coach role
00:30-00:35 Form groups and hand out materials.
00:35-00:50 Simulation
00:50-01:10 Debrief
01:10-01:15 Create poster
 
Outputs:Poster of lessons learned and write up on conference wiki.
 
History:Run with Liz Sedley at XP2008 and Agile2008.
 
Presenters
1. Rachel Davies
Agile Experience Ltd
2. 3.