• Tag Archives training

  • Show Me The Money With Value Streams

    Posted on by Tim

    Back in mid-April of this year, I was talking to Nigel Thurlow about the future of Agile and value streams. We were catching up as he has been assisting a European client and had returned from spending some time overseas.

    As a student, I like talking with Nigel. I learn more about Lean, The Toyota Production System (TPS), and other concepts that inform my work in the Agile space. At times, we even agree to disagree!

    One of the challenges enterprises face is making their value streams visible. Another way of putting this is “getting from quote to cash.” Hat tip to my sales readers!

    If you aren’t familiar with the concept of value streams, I have a couple of references for you to consider (shown below).

    Learning to See by Mike Rother and John Shook
    Value Stream Mapping by Karen Martin and Mike Osterling

    Teams and value streams (VS)

    VS’s help teams see where work is delayed. Hand-offs waste time and the mapping process make those delays visible.

    When teams can see where work is constrained, they can fix the constraint. The result is an increase in workflow.

    But workflow increases are a part of the story. Teams must go deeper.

    They must explore the contexts that influence their work. This is where The Flow System (TFS) assists.

    Linking the philosophy of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development and TFS is critical as well.

    In future posts, I will cover the triple helix of TFS. Writings on complexity thinking, distributed leadership, and team science will follow!


    📂This entry was posted in The Flow System (TFS) 📎and tagged

  • 5 Steps For How To Develop A Confidence Stack

    Posted on by Tim

    Countering imposter syndrome is tough. The steps below are ways to develop a confidence stack and they are worth a read.

    1. Be willing to suck for a while
    2. Find a coach or mentor who will push you
    3. Do the reps
    4. Take small, measured risks
    5. Rinse and repeat

    The concept of stacking isn’t new. If you ever played with Lego blocks, you know how stacking works.

    Lego Technic BMW motorcycle

    By design, a stack adds up to form something out of parts. The saying, “the sum of the whole is greater than its parts.” reveals a result of stacking.

    When I was searching for a way to break from childhood to adulthood, the military provided a way. The process of becoming a Sailor is stacking by building confidence based on an old and new experiences.

    I understood American history from school. I stacked Navy history and tradition on my previous learning.

    Using the same process, the Navy stacked on physical education. As well, it stacked on basic math and added basic engineering.

    Develop a confidence stack

    We all have abilities and skills. Some we are born with. Others we develop over time.

    As we learn, we build or stack on basic structures. As a result, each new concept connects with a prior concept and triggers a neurochemical response.

    The five steps listed above acknowledge learning is tough. As we get older, we become risk-averse.

    Some avoidance might come from fear. Other exclusion might come from ego. It doesn’t matter where the response comes from, it has to be evaluated and understood.

    Our brains are conditioned to side-step danger when it’s possible. However, most of life in modern times is not dangerous in the pure sense.

    So, we have to make an effort to override survival instinct. In effect, we’re rewiring instinct with logic to build confidence by taking calculated risks.

    It all starts with willingness. Are you ready to suck at something new to build confidence?


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork Training 📎and tagged

  • Team “Human” And How Co-workers Can Make You Laugh, Smile, And Be Happy

    Posted on by Tim

    This was originally posted on LinkedIn. Team human, we’re all on it.

    How were you this week with your team at #humans_being?

    To follow up on my post on Monday, I wanted to share my experience this week showing up with my colleagues. I didn’t experience tech issues this time around, which was wonderful!

    Our learning session on teamwork was thoughtful and thought-provoking.  We tested a couple of approaches in the process of creating the learning experience.  IMO, I’m happy with the outcome, but I could improve my timing and sharing.

    For me, using electronic tools is easy.  Mural, PowerPoint, and Teams are not overly challenging to get proficient at using.  They are and have been part of my way of working for a while and are an enabling constraint for me to deliver content and information that is intended to enable learning.

    Not everyone is so fortunate.  Not every electronic tool is built for #accessiblity or #ease_of_use.  I am mindful that while I might make training #look_easy, it is not easy to #create and #facilitate engaging training.  The electronic tools might hinder learning and prevent the experience of #humans_being.

    Here in the United States and Canada, we are heading into a holiday weekend.  I want to challenge you, my followers, and my connections to consider how the fall or spring seasons might be for you and your teams.

    Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia

    Team human

    Be mindful that we are still moving through stressful times that serve to create PTS.  Be thoughtful about meeting people where they are at in their career journey, both at work and socially.  Take time to be empathetic and compassionate with yourself and with the people around you.

    Enjoy your weekend and please share your stories.  I have two ears, two eyes, and one mouth, so I should be listening and watching twice as much as talking!

    Huge thanks to Janelle, Lisa, Nicole, and the rest of my Improving colleagues for being a part of the learning journey and showing up!


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork Technology Training 📎and tagged