Helping Teams Get Started on a New Initiative
As a Director responsible for a significant new multi-team, multi-product initiative, it’s crucial to provide the right guidance and support to help the teams get started effectively.
Exam Question
You are the Director responsible for a significant new multi-team, multi-product initiative. How would you help the teams get started?
(choose the best answer)
A. Explain to each team the goal of the initiative and how success will be measured, and agree with them on how they will provide appropriate transparency.
B. Just start – the details will emerge over time; the teams are self-organizing.
C. Create a resourcing plan which specifies which team is going to work on specific features.
D. Meet with the teams and tell them what sort of reporting you need.
Correct Answer
A. Explain to each team the goal of the initiative and how success will be measured, and agree with them on how they will provide appropriate transparency.
Explanation
Correct Answer
A. Explain to each team the goal of the initiative and how success will be measured, and agree with them on how they will provide appropriate transparency:
Providing clear goals and success metrics helps align all teams with the overall vision and objectives of the initiative. Agreeing on transparency mechanisms ensures that progress can be tracked effectively, and any issues can be addressed promptly. This approach balances providing direction with allowing teams the autonomy to self-manage their work.
Why the Other Options Are Less Effective
B. Just start – the details will emerge over time; the teams are self-organizing:
While self-organization is important, starting without clear goals and success metrics can lead to misalignment and confusion. It is crucial to provide initial direction to ensure that all teams are working towards a common objective.
C. Create a resourcing plan which specifies which team is going to work on specific features:
Creating a resourcing plan that dictates specific features for each team can limit flexibility and stifle the teams’ ability to self-manage and adapt to changing circumstances. It’s better to set goals and allow teams to determine the best way to achieve them.
D. Meet with the teams and tell them what sort of reporting you need:
Focusing solely on reporting requirements without providing context and goals can lead to a compliance-driven mindset rather than a value-driven approach. It is essential to communicate the initiative’s objectives and success criteria to foster engagement and alignment.
Benefits of Providing Clear Goals and Transparency Mechanisms
- Alignment: Ensures all teams are working towards the same objectives and understand the initiative’s goals.
- Accountability: Establishes clear success metrics and transparency mechanisms, enabling teams to be accountable for their progress.
- Autonomy: Allows teams to self-manage while providing the necessary direction and support to achieve the initiative’s goals.
- Adaptability: Enables teams to adapt their approach as needed while keeping the overall objectives in sight.
EBM Framework Insights
- Current Value (CV): Clear goals and success metrics help teams focus on delivering current value to customers.
- Unrealized Value (UV): Providing direction and transparency mechanisms can uncover opportunities to deliver additional value.
- Ability to Innovate (A2I): Teams can innovate more effectively when they understand the initiative’s goals and have the autonomy to determine how to achieve them.
- Time to Market (T2M): Clear goals and transparency help streamline processes and reduce time to market.
Relevance to the PAL-EBM Exam
Understanding how to effectively start a multi-team, multi-product initiative is crucial for the PAL-EBM exam. This knowledge demonstrates the ability to apply evidence-based management principles to drive continuous improvement and value delivery.
Key Takeaways
- Providing clear goals and success metrics is essential for aligning teams and ensuring they work towards a common objective.
- Agreeing on transparency mechanisms ensures effective tracking of progress and timely addressing of issues.
- Balancing direction with autonomy allows teams to self-manage while staying aligned with the initiative’s goals.
- Clear goals and transparency mechanisms support innovation and reduce time to market.
Conclusion
As a Director, helping teams get started on a new initiative involves providing clear goals, success metrics, and transparency mechanisms. This approach ensures alignment, accountability, and autonomy, enabling teams to deliver value effectively. For more information on preparing for the PAL-EBM exam, visit our Professional Agile Leadership PAL-EBM™ Exam Prep.
