When implementing ServiceNow solutions using the NowCreate delivery method, the end of sprint showcases are an essential aspect of the agile development performed during the Execute phase. They are a great way to present the progress of a project to stakeholders. I also feel that after the business analysts and architects have taken the spotlight during the plan phase, it is now time for the engineers and developers to show off what they have built.
To effectively showcase your work, it's important to follow best practices that ensure your team's hard work is presented in a clear and concise manner. In this post, we'll explore some of the best practices for effective showcases, including the importance of clear communication, telling a story, and the benefits of feedback.
Clear Communication
One of the most important best practices for agile showcases is clear communication. This means ensuring that everyone on the team understands the purpose of the showcase, the goals that were achieved, and the challenges that were faced. Clear communication also means using simple and concise language that is easy for everyone to understand. Avoid using technical jargon or complex terms that may confuse team members who are not familiar with the project.
Tell a Story
Another powerful tool for keeping the audience interested and engaged is to tell a story. At the end of the sprint, you have multiple user stories to show. But rather than going through each one separately, try to weave them together into a narrative. Often this is easier than it sounds since related user stories are typically completed together. For example, you might show the complete lifecycle of a catalogue item, demonstrating specific new features along the way. Don’t worry if previously completed work is shown. For the audience it is much easier to follow when seeing the whole workflow, and in many cases, they will see previous work differently now that the solution has evolved. At the very least, group the stories being shown according to the subject of the user story. That way you reduce the number of times needed to impersonate different personas. All that switching between personas is very confusing for the audience.
Feedback
Finally, feedback is an essential part of the agile development process and should be incorporated into your showcases. Feedback can help identify areas for improvement, highlight successes, and provide valuable insights into future development. Encourage team members to provide feedback and be open to constructive criticism. Some people may feel they are interrupting you and hold back with their opinions which could have been a great idea lost. So don’t be afraid to pause and ask direct questions if you aren’t getting feedback. This will help to create a culture of continuous improvement and ensure that the final product delivers real value to the business.
In summary, effective agile showcases require clear communication, are more engaging if you tell a story, and achieve a key goal of agile development by incorporating feedback. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your team's hard work is presented in a clear and concise manner, and that everyone on the team is engaged and invested in the project's success.