Last updated on October 13th, 2022 at 09:49 am
The job role for an Agile coach originated from IT but is now in demand by various industries across the globe. If you're a project manager and are looking to take the next step in your career, becoming an Agile coach might just be the perfect role for you. More prominent organizations and companies are now looking to increase the efficiency rate and delivery rate while making software and hence adopt agile methods to be able to do this. As an Agile Coach, you’re required to create and motivate high-performing teams by imparting Agile methodologies via open communication and collaboration of team.
An Agile Coach ensures that the team is working together in the most effective way possible. The role is different from the program/project manager whose task is to ensure that everyone is clear about the functionality of their roles. An Agile Coach needs a combination of experience in project management and high leadership skills.
Project management experience: can be in IT, software development or other domains where one has been involved in overviewing the delivery of a plan right from its conception to its completion.
Leadership skills: Agile Coaches have high leadership, advisory and consultancy skills, and they are also skilled communicators, facilitators and great at identifying various solutions and approaches to problems by understanding organisational development.
Good Agile coaches can generally easily transition from being Business Analysts, Scrum Masters, Developers, etc. It doesn’t matter where a person is currently, what matters is having the perfect skill set for the job role.
Tips on becoming an Agile Coach:
If you start adopting Agile practices in your current job role, you will impress the recruiters as they look for people who have practical experiences.
Get involved in Agile training and consider doing a certified course. Being certified in Agile is not enough on its own to secure a position as an Agile coach, but it shows recruiters a willingness to learn, and it will ensure you're up to date with the very best practices in the industry. Go to Agile or Scrum Meet-Ups and meet others in the field. There are always conferences and group seminars one can attend to gain more knowledge of this filed.
There are certain required capabilities that recruiters look for while considering a person for the role of an Agile coach.
They are,
Required skills:
Experience in Project Management.
Practical and hands-on Agile delivery experience.
Expert knowledge of Agile principles and practices, and being able to transfer that understanding at all levels of the organisation process.
We are consulting and facilitating skills in leading a team in the adoption and improvement of agile methodologies.
Excellent training and presentation skills.
Ability to adapt to a fast paced environment and produce quality results.
Skilled in leading meetings, decision making, and negotiating win-win solutions/approaches to problems.
Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work independently.
Excellent listener and amazing non-verbal and verbal communication skills.
A willingness to instruct and mentor without biasedness and with enthusiasm.
Following are the responsibilities that one needs to undertake as an Agile coach:
Supervise, analyse and identify problems or communication gaps in knowledge and understanding of how Agile works and lead the teams through training or mentoring sessions.
Work with the Agile teams to identify and manage interactive dependencies.
Work with the teams to identify and then implement process improvements.
Be there for the team and resolve conflicts within the team or outside of it.
Closely work with respective Project Managers to ensure the timely execution and delivery of the feedback received by the customer/user.
Undertake the project manager’s responsibilities when necessary.
Keep the Agile team motivated.
