Context Switching - so you think this is a good thing?

Last post we talked about Agile Clowns multi-tasking and that research has shown that we can't actually multi-task except for repetitive, memorized types of activities. You can't truly multi-task (do 2 or more things at one time) for cognitive activities. Since we can't multi-task, the real issue is context switching. How many projects are you working concurrently? Are you dedicated to one project? Great. Keep it up. Do you have 2 or more projects? 3 or more? Then you're not going to be very efficient.

Agile Clowns or "How to be a great multi-tasker"

What phrase did I see on your resume? Oh yeah: "great multi-tasker." That's awesome! You pride yourself on delivering more in less time by juggling several projects at the same time. It's a badge of honor and you wear it proudly.

Sorry to break it to you, but a clown is better at multi-tasking than you are. If a clown can do it, you must be able to do it just as good, even better.  The question is, are you sure about that?

It surprises me when people don't read and learn...

As a consultant at Improving Enterprises, I regularly have an opportunity to meet and interview potential consultants for our company. As a company we always strive for excellence and that includes continuing to learn. So I always ask candidates about it.

Appreciation in Agile teams - "Shout Outs"

Here's a simple idea that provides great benefits for teams. I was working with a team that started giving "shout-outs" at their retrospectives. Any team member could take a minute to recognize other team members for anything they did - whether it was to help someone, take on a task to help out, take on a role even if it's not their primary role.... how do you think this worked out?

Agile Lunch 'N Learns - ongoing practice

This is well known and simple to use. At my current client, which is in the middle of a large agile transformation, we have regular lunch learning sessions within the various Director's organizations. Not all groups are involved yet, but we working on it. In one of the groups I help we conduct a session about every 2 months with a final retrospective session near the end of the year.