Topic: Big Scrum - Scaling Team to Program

Abstract: The bulk of the widely-published information about Scrum is focused on team-level efforts. As Agile and Scrum adoption rates at mid to large-scale companies expand, they become increasingly main-stream. Experience is showing that Agile methods have much to offer the large program.  Establishing a successful Agile program requires an emphasis on creating an environment that is both enabling and supportive of continuously optimizing and adapting teams. There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to kicking-off a Scrum program. Projects and programs are very different depending on the nature of the business objectives, the project, the stakeholders or the envisioned product. The session provides a framework for effectively initiating Scrum projects and establishing scalable program models that support sustainable value-focused delivery teams. The session covers topics such as:

♦ Scrum project kickoff
♦ Program roles and organization
♦ Team formulation and training programs
♦ Program ramp-up strategies
♦ Distributed vs. Virtual teams
♦ Providing support for continuous improvement
♦ Common challenges in large-program Scrum

Participants will be introduced to the common aspects of getting a large program initiated quickly using Scrum methods, and detail of one approach that has worked on numerous multi-team programs ranging from 15 to 250+ people.

Presenter: Giora Morein, CSP, PMP, MBA & George Schlitz, CSP, PMP, MBA

Presenter Bio: 

Giora Morein is a Principal Agile Coach and co-founder of BigVisible Solutions. He specializes in rapidly ramping up new Agile and Scrum Teams through practical training coupled with hands-on mentoring and coaching. He has been highly successful in helping organizations scale their Scrum initiatives both in size and distributed location. Giora has also created a number of highly effective Agile and Scrum training programs that focus on practical techniques and practices. He has had extensive experience consulting in large, Fortune-class companies, including: Merrill Lynch, Fidelity, John Hancock, State Street, Cessna Aircraft, Bell Helicopter, McKesson and GE Healthcare. Giora is a Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP) and PMI-Certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He earned his Bachelors degree from Boston University and an MBA from Northeastern University.



George Schlitz is a Principal Agile Coach and co-founder of BigVisible Solutions. He has focused on coaching Agile development teams and executives in adoption of Agile and Lean product development methods, methodology and process improvement, and leadership of complex programs and projects. He has had extensive experience consulting in large organizations - particularly within financial services and manufacturing.

George has a diverse background covering many areas of software product development including 8 years involved in Agile product development. Prior to BigVisible, George was a senior project manager and Agile coach with ThoughtWorks, a premier global consultancy focusing on Agile methods. He was also vice president of project management and change management at State Street Global Markets, a senior consultant at Computer Sciences Corporation, and a senior project manager at Back Bay Technologies, George also has 12 years of officer and enlisted experience in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. He is a Certified Scrum Practitioner (CSP), a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). George received 2 bachelor's degrees (Operations Management, Resource Economics) from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from Bentley College.
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