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Amr Elssamadisy

 Amr  Elssamadisy Amr Elssamadisy is a software development practitioner who helps his clients build better software that is more valuable to their organizations. Amr and his colleagues at Gemba Systems deliver immediate and lasting results for clients needing to build software systems better, faster, and more reliably.

Amr's technical background and experience allows him to appreciate the problems of and support development teams 'in the trenches'.   At the same time, he realizes that most problems - even in software - are people problems, and therefore are not solved by tools and technology.  Amr and his colleagues at Gemba Systems work with organizations to deliver systematic managed adoption programs that go beyond learning a methodology to create ownership and passion in pursuit of business results.  In the chaos of the real world, he and Gemba deliver on the promise of lean and agile software development.

Amr is also the author of Agile Adoption Patterns: A Roadmap to Organizational Success and Patterns of Agile Practice Adoption: The Technical Cluster.  Amr is also lead editor for the AgileQ at InfoQ and a frequent presenter at software development conferences. You can reach him by sending an email to amr@gembasystems.com.

Presentation: "Scaling Up by Scaling Down: Successful Agile Adoption in the Large by Focusing on the Individual"

Time: Thursday 10:35 - 11:35

Location: Olympic Room

Abstract: Over these years I’ve had a growing suspicion which has actually become a certainty regarding the success of Agile adoption. I have found that successful Agile adoption efforts are not primarily based on the practices - and actually not even the "team." I’ve come to believe that the number one reason for the success of any Agile adoption efforts are the individuals themselves - their skills and personalities. It is also the number one reason for failure and mediocre results. All other aspects of successful Agile adoptions – and the accompanying software development practices - are actually of secondary importance. After all - how do we move a team forward - if the individual members of a team have a hard time understanding the role of personal responsibility in overall success? The level of personal responsibility of each team member will certainly affect the overall success of the enterprise. In this session - we will explore the ways that individual responsibility can help or hinder Agile development efforts and how our lack of focus on the human dynamics of software development can and does undercut any potential for success. Audience (Who Should Attend):  All team members will benefit from this presentation. Managers, Developers, Testers - everyone is welcome!

Training: "Individual and Team Dynamics: Fundamental Skills Needed to Deliver on the Promise of Lean and Agile"

Time: Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00

Location: Stanford Room

Abstract:
  • Have you ever worked with a group of smart people who consistently delivered results far beneath their potential?
  • Have you ever worked with a group of average people who came together as a team and produced results far beyond the sum of their individual capabilities?
  • Have you adopt Agile or Lean practices but failed to see the reported benefits by others?
  • Product development teams often focus on technical skills, tools, and advanced process issues - but fail to integrate the fundamental behaviors essential to high performance teams.
  • What if your group felt strong ownership for the success of their project?
  • What if the individuals you work with faced the uncomfortable and undisscusable issues instead of sweeping them under the carpet?
  • What if your peers responded to problems by taking responsibility and finding solutions rather than finger pointing?
  • What if your teams held themselves to higher standards of professionalism and productivity?
  • How do all of these things affect your effectiveness in implementing skills and practices from the Agile and Lean toolboxes?

A solid understanding of technical concepts and practices is not enough for teams to operate at peak efficiency.  Truly high performing teams understand and practice several universally common behaviors.  These teams work well together and produce more output in less time.  High performing teams are committed to a common goal and understand the value of ownership behavior as opposed to behaviors which are rooted in blame, justification and obligation.

This workshop is designed to make teams experience a breakthrough in their performance and effectiveness executing projects.  During this extremely interactive and collaborative workshop, teams work together through a series of guided exercises which foster the concept of personal responsibility and it's effect on personal, team and organizational success.

By the end of the week, participants will realize the  importance and effectiveness of human dynamics, and how a few simple behaviors, when done well, will catapult their results and create an environment that fosters and encourages self-organizing, high performing teams. 

Attendees will learn the positive effects of the following:

Reaching clarity on a shared goal that requires teamwork

  • Ownership behavior
  • Maturity in communication
  • Making and keeping agreements
  • Rapid feedback
  • The ability to confront failure and learn
  • Reaching breakthroughs regularly
  • Collaboration
  • Disciplined flexibility
  • The effect of these skills on successful adoption of agile and lean practices

Attendees in this workshop will:

  • Identify and practice the three key skills essential to high performance in any team situation.
  • Understand why teams avoid confrontational issues and fail to resolve problems.
  • Learn to instantly recognize the most fundamental causes of defects and delays in your product.