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  • Writer's pictureMarco Toscano

Things to look while hiring an Agile coach for your company

Updated: Dec 24, 2021

Agile software development is here for good. With so many agile coaches in the industry, it isn't easy to know what sets them apart so you can make an informed decision when choosing one for a full-time position or a consultancy project. We understand it; nowadays, everyone is a coach, and finding the perfect Agile Coach for your project might be a daunting task.


So, knowing what to look for in the first meeting can help you make a more informed decision about who to hire and why. So, here are a few suggestions to help you find the best agile coach for your firm.

Following, I list various traits to look for Agile Coaches while hiring them for your company.


Inquire about their previous work experience


You'll need to go deep into the backgrounds of folks you're considering hiring to ensure they have the necessary experience. Remember, there are no two agile coaches alike. They could have a background in project management, technology development, business, or even a former English teacher. If you want someone to work with technical teams, you must look at their specialized experience. If you want to have a more significant impact in an organization, seek someone with diverse skills and interests.


Should be a Lean Thinker


Agile and Scrum are based on lean concepts, which should not be overlooked. Great coaches will be able to explain why small batches boost production, how to detect and eliminate process bottlenecks, and how to recognize waste in all forms to their teams.


Work with the team


Since your team will be operating in a self-organized framework where they will be expected to make certain decisions for the team, an Agile Coach should be someone who will assist his team in learning and accepting new facts about the work, their responsibilities, and the methods you are using to complete the tasks. As a result, you should recruit someone who can help an Agile team evolve, guide each member in their personal development as they embrace their new position, and engage with the team to help the rest of the world understand Agile.


Must look for Scaling experience


It's better to find someone who knows how to scale up software development by increasing the number of teams. Scaling is complex, and an agile coach with the correct experience can assist you in achieving your goals. Make sure you find someone familiar with scaling principles, techniques, processes, technology, and, most importantly, the human side of change.


Should be able to express difficult topics well


If your agile coach can't effectively express tough topics briefly, they'll have difficulty explaining them to employees who do the work and earn your organization's respect. What is a Scrum Master, and what is not a Scrum Master? Inquire about the business advantages that an agile organization could provide. Inquire about how they came to be in this field and what they accept. All of the questions above are easy enough that you should be able to tell how well they can express themselves.


Conclusion


Use these Agile Coach Qualities as a Hiring Criteria. We understand Hiring an agile coach is a difficult task. The proper person with the right skills is required. So arm yourself with the appropriate questions, and you'll be on your way to meeting the ideal person in no time.


Follow my blog https://www.marcotoscano.de for more information on Scrum, Kanban, Agile and much more.

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