2. A journey...
The Ordinary World
Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Meet the mentor
Cross the threshold
Tests, allies and enemies
The approach
The ordeal
The reward
The road back
The resurrection
Return with the elixir
Source: Joseph Campbell “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”
Picture courtesy of totalfilm.com
3. Background and Context
Rob Thomsett Agile Project Management
It is always about people and behaviours, not systems and tools
Framework rather than rule book
Simple principles applied to behaviour well, and outcomes are achieved.
4. Agile PM framework: some facts
• Agile Project Management IS NOT Agile SDLC
• Common themes: collaboration, interactions,
responding to change
• A PM framework originated by Rob Thomsett
• A key tool is the success sliders: 7 attributes that
signify success
• Philosophy is “Light touch, right touch”
5. Focus
• Trust, openness, honesty, courage
• Agile Project Management Success Sliders
• Learning mindset
• Behavioural flexibility: able to adapt behaviour to suit a
certain situation
6. Trust, openness, honesty, courage
– Assume positive intent – be trusting
– Be an open, honest and courageous communicator
• Stand-ups
• Co-location with team and product owner
– Courage
• Call out behaviour, both positive and negative
• Commitments: celebrate achievements; challenge the errant
slackers!
8. Agile PM Success Sliders *
• A tool to help you focus on what’s really important
Off 25% 50% 75% On
Stakeholders X
Scope X
Budget X
Schedule X
Quality X
Benefits X
Team X
• Enabling robust conversation with your stakeholders and
team
* Copyright: used with the permission of Thomsett International
9. Learning mindset
• A focus on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) vs. IQ
• A continuous skills development cycle
– BAs can be testers can be scrum masters can be Agile coaches can be PMs
can be product owners can be…
10. What is this man feeling?
Confused?
Disappointed with my
hairdresser?
Surprised?
Upset? I ate too many burritos?
• True empathy: consider the person as well as the task
• What you think doesn’t matter, ask them
11. Behavioural flexibility
• The Law of Requisite Variety, states that in any system,
the element or person in the system with the widest
range of behaviours or variability of choice will
control the system
• Able to adapt behaviour to
suit a certain situation
12. How: Be the Observer
• Observe with no judgement
• Pause between stimulus and response
• Think of a situation that could have been better:
– How did I respond?
– How would I rather feel?
– Could I have done that in a better way?
– “Re-do” – the unconscious mind is now reprogrammed
for a more resourceful outcome next time
• x 3 for maximum impact on unconscious mind
13. Overall Benefits
• Greater ownership and sense of accountability
– Conversation vs. sign-offs and hand-offs
• Increased engagement
– From sponsor, business stakeholders, project team and
organisation
• Multi-skilled individuals and adaptive behaviours
– In high demand within companies and in the market place
• Superior project results
– Healthier behaviour, superior outcomes
14. Concluding remarks
• Living outside your comfort zone is where learning begins
• Focus of topics covered:
– Trust, openness, honesty, courage
– Agile Project Management Success Sliders
– Learning mindset
– Behavioural flexibility
• Master the obvious, explore the unusual
16. Further reading
– www.Forbes.com – “Courageous leaders don’t make excuses – they
apologize”
– www.thomsett.com – “Agile Project Management – A Primer”
– www.hbr.org – “What Makes a Leader?” Daniel Goleman
– “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” Joseph Campbell
