Four Ways to Successfully Engage Stakeholders Tiago Palhoto

“Thank you” to the organizers. Ademar Aguiar Catarina Carvalho Catarina Reis Dulce Domingos Filipe Correia Francisco Martins João Cerdeira Luís Ramos Miguel David Miguel Saraiva Sampaio Ricardo Martinho Teresa Carreiro And thank you for being here!

A Simple but important request… Would you please turn off your Wifi on your cell phone?

Who am I? Currently working as an Agile Trainer/coach @ Part of the Agile Community since 2001; Married, with two lovely children. Love to cook, do sports, play the drums and read…a lot!!

My contribution to the Agile Community

What’s this all about? Falar sobre a minha experiência pessoal: falta de contextualização dos stakeholders (PO incluído)

What’s this all about? Falar de como estes dados (apesar de serem de 2011) me fazem sentir que pouco ou nada mudou. 2011 – Scott Ambler - http://www.ambysoft.com/surveys/agileStateOfArt201011.html

What’s this all about? Falar de como estes dados (apesar de serem de 2011) me fazem sentir que pouco ou nada mudou. 2011 – Scott Ambler - http://www.ambysoft.com/surveys/agileStateOfArt201011.html

The four ways: Introduce the stakeholders to the framework you will use; Share the Calendar of activities; Inputs during the sprint (informal feedback); Define Stakeholders’ Schedule.

Introducing the framework

Introducing the framework It’s of paramount importance that the stakeholders fully understand your framework!

Introducing the Framework For the SCRUM framework, I always put special focus on the following items: Sprint – Small increments, early and constant feedback,deliver value. Velocity as a performance measure; Story – Definition of user story and why it’s useful. Explain the structure (the 3 C’s);

Introducing the Framework Relative and detailed estimates – Difference and when to use each. I usually use accuracy and precision to explain the relative estimates; Backlog – “Bag” where all the stuff to be built goes. The need to be prioritized; Release plan – it’s very important to mention the need to update it after each iteration based on the performance of the team.

The Calendar of Activities

Calendar of activities In 2006, I decided to start a treatment to correct a couple of problems with my jaws; Constant pain took me to the doctor to seek for help.

Calendar of activities PROCEDURES Upper Braces on November 2006. To be used until early 2010 Upper jaw surgery on January 2007 to place expander. To be used during 4 months; Lower Braces on October 2007. To be used until early 2010 Lower Jaw surgery June 2009 ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS Monthly appointment to verify Braces Weekly appointment during four months after the Upper jaw surgery;

Calendar of activities

Calendar of activities For the Calendar of Activities, I always put special focus on the following events: Planning Meeting – Make sure the stakeholders (and PO) understand their role and that this meeting needs to be prepared during the previous sprint; Story Workshop – Start preparing the next sprint by reviewing the contents of the backlog; Grooming – Explain the changes to the team so that they can give an updated estimate;

Calendar of activities For the Calendar of Activities, I always put special focus on the following events: Backlog Prioritization – Based on the estimates, the PO and the stakeholders will review the priorities; Review meeting – This is the easiest one to get PO and stakeholders on. Important to mention that bugs may show up and changes too.

Feedback during the sprint

Feedback during the sprint 1-4 Weeks Common scenario

Feedback during the sprint Some stakeholders, during the review: Feel stressed Feel lost Wary

Continuous delivery of functionalities Feedback during the sprint Feedback Continuous delivery of functionalities Feedback Informal feedback mechanism

Feedback during the sprint Key benefits for the stakeholders Less pressure Increased knowledge Self paced evaluation Self pace evaluation – Stakeholders can analyse and play with the new stuff at their own pace; No pressure – No pressure when performing this analysis to say “Yes”, as this will be later, during the review meeting; Increased knowledge – By the time of the review, stakeholders will be better prepared to deal with the implemented stories.

Define the Stakeholders’ schedule

Ok. At least now I know what can I count on and organize myself. Define the Stakeholders’ schedule Book your Mondays and Wednesdays for classes at 6pm for the next 6 months. Ok. At least now I know what can I count on and organize myself.

Define the Stakeholders’ schedule Ensures the meetings will be part of their schedule right from the beginning; Stakeholders will be able to plan their activities and prepare the meetings in advance;

Q&A