Six Key Things For Managing Agile Teams

At Integrum we regularly retrospect on our work.  A recent retrospective unearthed “What do you expect from the management team”.  From the data I collected  six key things that an agile team requires from their management team.

1. Organization

The team needs to focus on their work.  They expect all of the details outside of their responsibility to be handled for them.  This minimizes frustration and maximizes their effectiveness.  It is important that they be allowed to self organize for the work they are directly responsible for, but that they not be distracted by dealing with issues outside their scope of influence.

2. Feedback

Give them regular feedback.  It must be timely and relevant.  It should be specific and detailed.  The team needs regular encouragement as part of their feedback loop.

3. Support

The team will face difficult choices and make mistakes.  It is important that they feel adequately supported in front customers, other teams and other managers.  They look to management for assistance when struggling and understanding when they get things wrong.

4. Environment

It is important to respect all members of your team.  Be consistent and fair in how you treat them.  Allow them to make decisions and take risks.  Be open about your fears and concerns while letting them provide solutions.  The right physical environment is also critical for success.

5. Purpose

Providing a sense of purpose and the culture to execute it is imperative.  Set goals for the team and put forth clear expectations for success.  Apply enough structure to allow the team to succeed without putting arbitrary rules in place.  Set a vision for the future and consistently provide the principles, stability and standards necessary to achieve it.

6. Mentoring

Good teams want to get better.  They are looking to you for a transfer of knowledge.  They want the opportunity to grow and expect your guidance in steering them towards new opportunities.  Challenge them regularly and invest in their skill set.  They will thank you for it later.

What are your expectations for your boss?  Have you told them lately?

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