In the fast-paced world of software development, ensuring a smooth and efficient flow of value is crucial. This is where the agile planning event comes into play, serving as a cornerstone of the agile methodology.
Agile planning sets the cadence for the entire development cycle, aligning teams around shared objectives and priorities. It’s more than just a planning session; it’s a collaborative event that fosters communication, alignment, and a sense of shared purpose across teams.
At its core, collaborative agile planning enables teams to break down their goals into manageable increments, making it easier to deliver value consistently. It allows stakeholders to identify dependencies, risks, and opportunities, ensuring that everyone is on the same page before the actual work begins. This strategic approach not only streamlines the process but also enhances team morale and productivity, creating a culture of transparency and accountability. And especially at such an important event, one thing must never be lost sight of: having fun at work!
Enter Agile Express: A Game for Everyone in Scaled Agile Models
Introducing Agile Express, an engaging and interactive game designed by the Scrum Masters Team at P3 Serbia to enhance the agile planning experience while having fun at the same time. But who can benefit from this innovative tool? Everyone involved, actually! Agile Express is crafted for everyone needed in the agile process — Scrum Masters, Product Owners (POs), stakeholders and team members alike. Whether you’re a seasoned agile veteran or new to agile software or product development, this game is a great resource for understanding and mastering the nuances of agile planning.
By participating in Agile Express, players can learn to navigate real-world scenarios and challenging situations they might encounter during the agile planning. The game fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and strategic planning, allowing players to explore various aspects of backlog prioritization, dependency management, and risk assessment. As participants engage in friendly competition, they’ll gain insights into how to make informed decisions that drive the project forward.
How Agile Express Works: A Fun Take on Agile Planning
Inspired by the classic board game Monopoly, Agile Express transforms the often daunting agile planning process into an enjoyable learning experience.
The game is suitable for 3 to 6 players. It is intended to be played on-site, but it can be played online using whiteboard apps, such as Miro or Mural. The duration can be adjusted by varying the number of rounds played.
The game features a lively board on which dice are rolled and various action cards imitating real-life situations that can occure during an agile planning session. Here’s how it works:
The Setup: Players represent agile teams, taking turns to plan their enablers and features. The objective is to optimize agile product releases while addressing dependencies and aligning all team release plans. Moderators facilitate the game, guiding players to develop ready release plans and coaching on scaling teams, roles, WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First), the interaction between business value and prioritization, and other key aspects of scaled agile models.
Rolling the Dice: Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their pieces around the board. The numbers rolled determine how many spaces they can move, adding an element of chance and excitement to the game.
Landing on Spaces: As players navigate the board, they will land on various spaces labeled as “Luck”, “Risk”, or “Joker“. These spaces introduce situations that mimic real challenges and opportunities that teams may face during the agile planning.
- Luck Cards present unexpected advantages, such as increased team velocity or improved stakeholder engagement.
- Risk Cards could pose challenges, like unforeseen dependencies or technical roadblocks that teams must address to stay on track.
- Joker Cards provide unique twists that encourage creative problem-solving and adaptability.
Iteration Planning Board: Alongside the Playing Board, players will find a dedicated Iteration Planning Board filled with Feature Cards from the Product Backlog. These cards come pre-loaded with priorities, sizes, business values and dependencies, guiding teams in planning their iterations effectively. The goal is to strategize and prioritize features while navigating the challenges presented during the game. The winning team is the one that resolves all dependencies, completes their product releases, and achieves the highest business value.
The Fun Side of Agile Release Planning
At its heart, Agile Express is designed to be fun and engaging, incorporating elements of play, where teams can explore the intricacies of agile planning in a relaxed and supportive environment. The game encourages open dialogue, teamwork, and creativity, allowing participants to share insights and strategies in a low-stakes setting.
Ultimately, Agile Express serves as both a learning tool and a team-building exercise. It helps participants grasp the principles of effective agile planning while reinforcing the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinking. As teams roll the dice and make decisions together, they’ll forge stronger relationships with each other and a deeper understanding of their roles within the agile release planning process.
In the realm of scaled agile models, agile planning is not just a task — it’s an essential event that shapes the future of projects and products. Agile Express provides a dynamic and enjoyable way for teams to embrace this critical process. By participating in this game, Scrum Masters, POs, and team members alike can deepen their understanding of planning, adapt to challenges, and enhance their collaborative skills.
Sounds like something for your team? Then get in touch with us! Together we can tackle it: So gather your team, roll the dice, and let Agile Express transform your approach to agile planning. It’s time to learn, strategize, and — most importantly — have fun while doing it!
