#19 Nick Brown: C for Coaching - How can you get teams to thrive?
May 31, 2023
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Nick Brown, expert in team-building, discusses the role of an agile coach, team composition, challenges in data interpretation, the ISIS tool for flow metrics and forecasting, analyzing cycle time and variability, and essential leadership qualities for continuous improvement.
Agile coaches at ASOS focus on partnership and improvement based on what the teams want, rather than pushing a specific framework.
ASOS emphasizes the importance of team health checks, including psychological safety, and encourages teams to proactively measure and improve their team health using tools such as the Psychological Safety Survey and the Petals framework.
Deep dives
Role of Agile Coaches at ASOS
The speaker discusses their role as an agile coach at ASOS, where they work with different teams to help them find more effective ways to work in line with agile values and principles. The coaches do not push a specific framework, but instead focus on partnership and improvement based on what the teams want.
Makeup of Teams at ASOS
The speaker explains that the teams at ASOS vary in their composition, with some teams working on end-user-facing features and others focused on internal systems. The teams are generally cross-functional and long-lived, with a focus on technical excellence. While there is currently more emphasis on feature teams rather than product teams, ASOS is considering embedding product managers in teams to improve outcomes.
Utilizing Data for Team Health Checks
The speaker highlights the importance of health checks for team health, including psychological safety. They discuss different tools and approaches used at ASOS, such as the Psychological Safety Survey and the Petals framework, which focuses on productivity, enjoyment, teamwork, learning, and serenity. The speaker encourages teams to proactively measure and improve their team health using these tools.
Implementing Data-Driven Processes and Metrics
The speaker emphasizes the need for teams to opt-in and have a genuine interest in using data-driven processes and metrics. They recommend providing safe spaces for learning and reducing barriers to entry. The speaker also advises leaders to promote experimentation and learning, acknowledge the uncertainty in product development, and demonstrate vulnerability to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.