Coherence & Visibility

Lately I've been concerned that a well-oiled agile team that delivers value continuously rather than via 'big-bang' waterfall-style releases can lose visibility in an organisation, especially at senior management levels. I've also experienced a parallel lack of rigour in the coherence and prioritization of corresponding product backlog items. This can have a real and detrimental impact to the sustainability of a team and product stream over the medium to long term. I'm seeing this at the moment with a capable team that releases weekly product increments.

Here's a suggested antidote: every 4th iteration (depending on iteration length) the product sponsor & product owner, with the help of the SCRUM master/facilitator, run a product increment demonstration for senior management (e.g. CTO, CFO). This could be in addition to or instead of the standard iteration demo and will most probably require a little more preparation. The following occurs:

• An outline of previously achieved goals is displayed (visibility)
• Each goal in scope for this demonstration is explained (value quantified with relevant metrics)
• Backlog items grouped against goals are demonstrated (with the help of team members where necessary)
• Senior management expresses their opinions (good or bad) on what has been delivered (feedback)
• Discussion ensues about the next goals the team will be pursuing (vision)

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of difficulties in even assembling such a meeting - it is usually difficult to get senior management time & often they simply don't turn up(!). However, I strongly feel that some communication of this sort must happen to keep the organisation and the product stream in step. People will probably point out that this should be catered for in the release cycle, however there is something deeper here - the product sponsor & product owner need to work with the wider organisation iteratively to pursue vision just as the product team work with them.