Roman Šmiřák
Co-founder of RainFellows
Rainfellows
I started my IT career 20 years ago as a Java developer and later as a Project Manager. Due to successful global deliveries, we started our team of Agile Coaches in 2006 to pass on successful (Agile) practices to other teams. In 2010 – 2013 I was part of the Scandinavian IT Cluster where people from different companies and academics exchanged experiences on how to scale Agile in corporations. In 2013, we started our own consulting company, which is no longer focused on IT. Later we co-founded or invested in start-ups. We also co-founded several products on the Red Button platform, such as Red Button EDU where I moderate the Agile Talks show.
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Project Manager vs Agile Coach: Can a Manager Be a Good Coach?
As companies become more Agile and are no longer islands in IT that follow the odd SCRUM methodology, there is a growing mass demand for Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters. The cultural aspect of Agile methods lies in the self-management of teams. Instead of a central coordinating role for the PM, there is a split responsibility between the PO, the team and the AC/SM. What about the project managers, who have often been a pivotal role in companies? Is it appropriate to move the PM into the AC/SM role? Is it possible to find a typological and mindset match there?
We would unconventionally design this “workshop” as a “circle within a circle” discussion. We will invite experienced practitioners to the inner circle who have something to say and share on the topic. At the same time, we will leave chairs open for someone from the “outer circle” who wants to ask a question or join the discussion directly in the inner circle. Or they can just listen.
If this topic interests you, please accept our invitation to join our discussion.
