OpenSpace Agility (OSA) is a repeatable technique for getting a rapid and lasting Agile adoption.

It works with what you are currently doing, and can be added at any time.

In OSA, executive leaders are very much in charge of the process. When using OSA, leaders clearly communicate two key aspects:

  • An overall Agile direction.
  • A very clear set of guardrails or limits or rules for everyone involved: the developers, teams and stakeholders.

OSA saves time and money. It can save as much as 50% compared to other approaches. Do you want to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the training and coaching costs of implementing Agile?  OpenSpace Agility will help you achieve these savings by being very efficient.

OpenSpace Agility achieves these cost savings by generating very high levels of engagement across your organization. This how and why OSA actually works.

Agile transformation simply is not possible without very high levels of employee engagement.

By focusing on employee engagement, as a leader you can expect the following outcomes:

 

  • A dramatic reduction in the coaching & training costs of your Agile program
  • A rapid, genuine and lasting Agile transformation
  • Much higher employee engagement scores
  • Predictable, reliable, repeatable improvement in overall results
  • Increases in stakeholder satisfaction and potentially, stakeholder delight

 

No other method of Agile adoption generates more engagement than the OpenSpace Agility method.

 

Is your Agile adoption in trouble? This method can help.

 

Just getting started with Agile? This is the way to start.

 

Click here to download the OSA BIG PICTURE Brochure in Printable PDF format

 

Each OpenSpace Agility cycle has just 5 basic and repeatable steps. These steps are:

 

Step 1: Leadership and Enterprise Preparation

Step 2: Initiate the process using an all-hands “Open Space” meeting

Step 3: Initiate Agile practices across the enterprise

Step 4: Complete the process in Open Space

Step 5: Inspect Results and Adapt

 

These steps are repeated in an iterative fashion. OpenSpace Agility actually embodies the Agile principles of iteration, experimentation, frequent inspection, and improvement. OSA implements Agile in a very Agile way.

 

Please note: any Agile framework is acceptable for use with OSA. You can think of OSA as process for introducing that framework.

 

 

Step 1: Leadership and Enterprise Preparation

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Leaders Define Clear Direction: Leaders must define and describe the Agile direction. Leaders explain “the why” of the Agile direction, by citing the business opportunities, the business challenges, and the need for continuous improvement.

Leaders Define Clear Guardrails and Rules: Along with clear direction, leaders must first define and describe some very clear boundaries and guardrails. These guardrails are the 12 principles of the Agile Manifesto. Practices that align with these 12 principles are acceptable for teams to use.

Collection of Starting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). OpenSpace Agility uses evidence-based metrics. Before working in an Agile way, a baseline set of measures is taken. These measures serve as both a diagnostic, to surface issues, and as a metric, for a subsequent before-and-after compare.

Training In Agile Fundamentals. Teaching in Agile principles and practices is offered to everyone. All stakeholders and team members are encouraged to attend.

No Mandate of Specific Practices. This key: through the definition of direction and guardrails, leaders imply specific Agile practices while stopping well short of defining and mandating them. While leaders name the clear direction and define the guardrails, they also intentionally stop short of mandating specific practices. Instead, leaders offer opportunities for teams to choose from a range of Agile practice options within a well-defined container.

Several very specific measuring instruments are utilized during this preparation step.

 

 

Step 2: Initiate the process using an all-hands “Open Space” meeting

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The Open Space meeting is a facilitated, all-hands meeting of at least one day that is authorized by executive leadership. The executives lead the way. This is the formal kick-off of your Agile journey. It sets the stage for the org-wide learning, engagement and improved results that follow.

 

 

Step 3: Initiate Agile practices across the enterprise

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During this step, teams are authorized to use practices that align with the Agile Manifesto. The outputs from this step includes:

  • More predictable and reliable software deliveries
  • Enormous levels of Agile learning… up, down and across the organization.
  • Dramatically higher levels of employee engagement
  • The collection specific metrics to measure results, and inform next steps

 

 

Step 4: Complete the process in Open Space

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This second all-hands Open Space meeting is both a retrospective and a prospective. The organization looks back, and forward (making actionable plans.)

As a result of this process, you can expect your process to tangibly mature and improve. You can expect your entire organization to engage in the difficult business of customizing and tailoring the Agile process to your context, in service to continuous improvement.

 

 

Step 5: Inspect Results and Adapt

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When this step is reached, the multi-team iteration (or “chapter of learning”) is complete. The results are inspected. Executives encourage engagement in the process of continuous improvement. Adjustments are made and the next cycle of 45 to 100 days is planned.

 

SUMMARY

The 5-step OpenSpace Agility works for one simple reason: it generates extremely high levels of engagement across your entire organization as you tailor your process.

  • Leaders are very much in charge of defining and communicating clear direction and guardrails and create very high levels of engagement.
  • Very high levels of employee engagement power the immediate and lasting success of your program.

No other method of Agile adoption generates more engagement than the OpenSpace Agility method.

 

Ready for the next step? Watch a testimonial video from executives who have implemented the method:

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With OpenSpace Agility, you will:

  • Create a rapid, effective and lasting Agile adoption;
  • Encourage the entire organization to reach a state of self-sustaining and freestanding Agility;
  • Save money by reducing the number coaches (and coaching days) needed to get solid results… and continuous improvement.

OpenSpace Agility works with what you are doing now, and can be added at any time.

Ready to dig in? Take a look at the OSA “Big Picture”, and see if it clicks for you.

 

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