Even the smallest problems can end up taking a very large amount of time to solve. However, seeing the relief on the client’s face when you deliver a product that solves their problem makes everything worth it.
Every project goes through highs and lows. While experiencing them, the highs always feel fleeting, and the lows drag on for a long time. This is true even when the lows truly are fleeting. Remembering why you’re doing a project can be difficult during these lows. Getting a team through these lows is just one thing an agile coach can help out with.
During retrospectives, we tend to focus on the challenges. Sure, we mention an accomplishment, but generally, we don’t spend a long time acknowledging it before we concentrate on how to overcome lows and prevent more from happening. In some parts of a project cycle, this can result in a negative feedback loop where everyone on the team spends their time in meetings focused on the lows. That results in people not wanting to attend the meetings, contributing less when in the meetings, and being drained by the time they leave them.
The answer isn’t to stop addressing challenges during retrospectives, that’s a big part of what they are there for. The difficulty is in finding balance. When things are generally going well, it’s easy for a team to look at the one or two issues and how to fix them. When the project feels as if it’s falling apart, it gets harder to look at just one or two specific problems. This is the balance a coach can help with.
During tough times the team needs help focusing on only the right problems and replacing the other problems with successes, no matter how small. Trying to solve all the problems at once results in slow progress. Problems get worse and potentially cascade to more. Slow progress and more problems demoralize the team and result in slower progress – a negative feedback loop. Working through these problems one at a time allows the team to focus on them and solve them faster and more effectively. Each solved problem means fewer problems in front of the team at the next retrospective. It also turns into a win.
It’s tough to remember while you’re in the low part of a project, but all projects have them, and they always pass. This is part of doing the work. Even though this is generally a small part of a project, it almost always feels like that largest part. Getting through this is 80% of getting through doing the work. Doing the work delivers the win, and that is always a rewarding moment.
I can help your teamwork through problems and find the other side of a low point in their project. Contact me now to set up a free initial coaching session where we’ll discover your needs and how well we can fit together to address them.
Much like artists love the satisfaction of presenting a finished work, many people find themselves in IT/IS because they love solving problems. Also, just like art, IT/IS work can be deceivingly difficult.
