Transparency – what makes a good manager an excellent

one

Odessa  Innovation  WeekJuly  5,  2015

A true story

• Developer, Project Manager, Product Manager, Game Producer, Managing Director

• Agile Enthusiast

• Traveler

• facebook.com/victor.v.bogomolov

• linkedin.com/in/vbogomolov

• appturn.com

Victor Bogomolov

What does “Transparency” mean?

The ability to see what is truly happening to the entire or any part of the project

at any point in time under any circumstance

in any level of detail

What is the antonym of Transparency?

“The fog of war” is the uncertainty in situational awareness experienced by

participants in military operations

Carl von Clausewitz, “On War”, 1832

Who values Transparency?

Customer Team

How does Transparency benefit you?

Transparency builds trust

How does Transparency benefit you?Customer

• Wants your advice

• Follows your recommendations• Gives you more complex,

interesting and strategic projects and tasks

• Gives you information• Pays you more and easier• Recommends you to his partners

and friends

• Forgives you when you fail

• Protects you when you need advocacy within his organization• Warns you if you are on

dangerous ground

• Feels comfortable with you• Respects you

Maister, Green, Galford, “The trusted advisor” ©

• Increases performance

• Increases accountability • Methods of non-material motivation work better• Gives you information• Recommends your company to friends

• Feels comfortable with you• Respects you

Что может дать прозрачность?Team

So what does “Transparency” mean?

Transparency is an evidence of the right choice and reciprocity of intentions

Transparency-Trust Matrix

Tru

st

Hig

h D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

A → D ?

Tru

st

Hig

h D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

Tru

stH

igh D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

A → B: Increase transparency

Visualization

A → B: Increase transparencyHonest regular status reports+ follow-up with open questions

Tru

stH

igh D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

Tru

stH

igh D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

A → B: Increase transparencyVisualization• Agile boards• Dashboards, metrics, indicators, charts• Collaborative and cloud-based project management software

and tools (Jira Agile, Trello, etc.)

Honest regular status reports

+ follow-up with open questions

Communicate each thing happening

Both good and bad

Tru

stH

igh D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

B → C: Demonstrate results

Provide expected results

Regular deliverables• Iterations, Continuous Integration/Delivery

Not only "When", but also "What” is important

Share the project schedule and keep it up-to-date and visible 24×7

How to build Trust?

Trust = Transparency + Expected Results

Tru

stH

igh D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

C → D: Really?

Focus on getting work done, not on Transparency

Waste less time on reports and KPIs measurement

Occasional deliverables

Waste less time on communication

Tru

st

Hig

h D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

What if we fail while in C?

Tru

st

Hig

h D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

What if we fail while in D?

Stay in C!Regular communication face to face with the customer• Video calls or personal meetings• 1:1 with the customer

Do not overload the customer with questions –take your responsibility

Keep the project schedule up-to-date

Communication, communication, communication

Tru

stH

igh D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

What is the Project Manager for?

What is the Project Manager for?

To manage expectations!

Stay in C: Inform about changes!Eliminate bad surprises before it’s too late•Share risks and issues with all the stakeholders up front•Estimating is an art•Changing circumstances

Risk register

Regular project re-assessment and review

Communicate the changes in proper time and to relevant people

Tru

stH

igh D C

Low A B

Low High

Transparency

So what should Transparency be like?

Transparency must be continuous, real-time and easily communicated

Transparency is a behavior of all people who work together that results in

• all corresponding information being open, • easily accessible by any person involved, • and communicated well to relevant people in proper time.

What does “Transparency” mean?

Harmony with a customer

victorb@appturn.comlinkedin.com/in/vbogomolov

facebook.com/victor.v.bogomolov