The Role of Project Manager in Modern Agile Projects

© Alistair Cockburn 2003-2010

The Role of the Manager in Modern Agile Projects

Alistair CockburnHumans and Technology

[email protected] http://Alistair.Cockburn.us

© Alistair Cockburn 2003-2010Slide 2

Moment of crisis!

actual route to planned goal

[movie “Titanic”]

(getting lost) worse goal

planned route

[1969 lunar landing]

better goal

[Apollo 13]

[ship Wasa]

Project Life: Things generally don’t go as planned

start planned goalgoal


Myths Fixed

Truth:

You can change the target even with “traditional”.

Truth:

You can keep the same target even with “agile”. Agile works for even for fixed price, fixed-scope projects ...

( Just don’t change the requirements! :).


“Agile” development is cheating legally to win.(Works for fixed-price contracts, too!)

Agile Software Development Manifesto, 2001“... while there is value in the items on the right,

we value the items on the left more.”

Individuals and interactions over Processes and Tools

Working software over Comprehensive documentation

Customer collaboration over Contract negotiation

Responding to change over Following a plan


Historically, “agile” is low-ceremony, light,and people-communication-intensive

Common PracticesDelivery working product often

Colocate team members

Write schedule in bits ofpaper hung on the wall

Lighten or dump the heavy requirements document, heavy project plan, long status mtgs

Redistribution of Control

“We don’t need no stinkin’project managers tellin’ uswhat to do !”

Managers tell workers to mutiny. Workers refuse.(Agile koan)

“When you want your boat to go fast, it is easier to cut anchors than add horsepower.” -- Luke

Hohmann


The 2005 “Declaration of InterDependence”(http://pmdoi.org)

Continuous flow of value Frequent interactions with customer, shared ownership Anticipate, adapt, iterate. Individuals are the ultimate source of value An environment where they can make a difference Group accountability for results Shared responsibility for teamwork Situationally specific strategies, processes, practices

http://alistair.cockburn.us/The+declaration+of+interdependence+for+modern+management+or+DOI

or http://ac.cockburn.us/2091


Critical Project Factors

Communitycommunication, amicability

Focusknown priorities, focus time Incremental

development& Reflection

Nourishment from Executive Sponsorsdecisions, money

Peopletalent, skills, motivation


Amicability & Goal alignment

Amicability : Willingness to listen with good will

“Amicability index” : how easily information passes from one part of the organization to another.

Goal alignment

Normal team Aligned team


The (Project) Manager lives at the boundary:

VisibilityDecisions

$

Interruptions

XPM

Sponsor(s)

developers

CommunicationGoal alignment

ReflectionMotivationPriorities

AmicabilityFocus time

Skills development

Community(communication, amicability)

Focus(known priorities, focus time)

Nourishment from Executive Sponsors (decisions, money)

People (abilities, motivation)

Incrementaldevelopment& Reflection


Myths Fixed

Truth:

The (project) manager doesn’t just push paper;

S(he) converts a group of people into a team.


Learn to avoid (get out of) messes.

Osmotic CommunicationExpert in EarshotCone of SilenceEarly VictoryEarly and Regular DeliveryWalking SkeletonIncremental RearchitectureSacrifice One PersonQA-RotationSWAT-fix teamCross-specialized TeamFunction / Component Owners

Pause, Reflect, ChangeTimeout/RegroupPart-Timers as AdvisorsProcess MiniatureProgress & Training TeamsRejoining StreamsShort-horizon planning Spare Leader CapacitySpikeGold RushProject 360°Safe Solutioning Session


Early Victory

Action: Ensure the team delivers something as early as possible, even if only a Walking Skeleton.

Benefits: Team learns each other, processSponsor sees team working together

Side effect: Manage expectations for early delivery

Overdose: Too simple = Not enough process exercised, not real confidence built

Examples: Walking Skeleton


Walking Skeleton

Action: Connect the architecture with a verysimple function as 1st running code. (Grow infrastructure & function in parallel).

Benefits: Early Victory, Architecture runs,Parallel development possible

Side effect: Manage rework of infrastructure during function development

Overdose: If too simple, rework delays project

Examples: NBO project


The Project Manager’s timeline

InitiatingMission statement (1-2 pages)Project priorities chart

PlanningProject map (low-resolution PERT chart, no times)Blitz planning technique (+ dependencies) Allocation of people & times to project map (+ schedule)

Executing & SteeringStrategies to avoid & get out of troubleStrong-visibility status charts (information radiators)Pause, reflect, change (both process & plan!)

Closing - (retrospectives)

Initiating PlanningExecuting & Steering

(& more Planning) Closing


Role of the Manager on modern projects

* Pull in support * Find strategies

* Bring the team together

VisibilityDecisions

$

Interruptions

XPM

Sponsor(s)

developersCommunication

AmicabilityPriorities

Focus timeSkills development

MotivationReflection

Osmotic CommunicationExpert in EarshotCone of SilenceEarly VictoryEarly and Regular DeliveryWalking SkeletonIncremental RearchitectureSacrifice One PersonQA-RotationSWAT-fix teamCross-specialized TeamFunction / Component Owners


More from Alistair Cockburn:• 3-day agile / Product Owner class in Salt Lake City on

September 27 (http://i.cockburn.us/c-100927-cspo/eb)• 3-day Advanced Agile class in San Francisco on October 18 (

http://i.cockburn.us/c-101018-adv3day/eb)

More from VersionOne:• AgileLIVE’s Moving Agile into the Mainstream, Sept. 29,

Noon Eastern, “Agile Release Planning by Example” http://bit.ly/agileLIVE

• Want VersionOne product info? Don’t Miss: At VersionOne, We Eat Our Own Dog food – How VersionOne Uses VersionOne next Wednesday at Noon Eastern. http://bit.ly/howV1usesV1

http://email.skybend.com/t/y/l/clklly/bktidof/r

http://email.skybend.com/t/y/l/clklly/bktidof/y

The Role of Project Manager in Modern Agile Projects

Technology

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