The fundamental role of a PM doesn't change but how they go about their work (i.e. specific practices and interactions) will. With the bank I'm currently supporting, they redefined the PM role by making Scrum Masters responsible for team-level dynamics and delivery, but the PM is still needed to manage stakeholder expectations, financials, risks, deal with escalated issues and actions, and the orchestration of work between the agile teams working on their project.
I have seen some instances of companies which have done away with PMs by splitting their role between Product Owners and Scrum Masters - project management still happens but it is performed by those two roles working together.
In general, I'd say that for large scale agile (i.e. multiple teams), unless the company is willing to fully adopt a framework such as SAFe, the role of a PM will still be required...
Kiron
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1 reply by Jill Hart
Aug 29, 2018 4:24 PM
Jill Hart
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Thanks Kiron, good insights. I was part of an organization opting to eliminate the PM role and transition most responsibilities to the Product Owner and Scrum Master. They did encourage PM transition to SM or Release Train Engineer, and on some teams introduced Delivery Leads to support some responsibilities handled by the PM.
I can definitely see value in the first model you describe as well. Any thoughts on the best training to help infuse the AGILE mindset?
Saving Changes...
Jill HartProgram Manager| Jill HartHampton, Nh, United States
Aug 29, 2018 4:13 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Jill -
The fundamental role of a PM doesn't change but how they go about their work (i.e. specific practices and interactions) will. With the bank I'm currently supporting, they redefined the PM role by making Scrum Masters responsible for team-level dynamics and delivery, but the PM is still needed to manage stakeholder expectations, financials, risks, deal with escalated issues and actions, and the orchestration of work between the agile teams working on their project.
I have seen some instances of companies which have done away with PMs by splitting their role between Product Owners and Scrum Masters - project management still happens but it is performed by those two roles working together.
In general, I'd say that for large scale agile (i.e. multiple teams), unless the company is willing to fully adopt a framework such as SAFe, the role of a PM will still be required...
Kiron
Thanks Kiron, good insights. I was part of an organization opting to eliminate the PM role and transition most responsibilities to the Product Owner and Scrum Master. They did encourage PM transition to SM or Release Train Engineer, and on some teams introduced Delivery Leads to support some responsibilities handled by the PM.
I can definitely see value in the first model you describe as well. Any thoughts on the best training to help infuse the AGILE mindset?
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Aug 30, 2018 6:20 AM
Kiron Bondale
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Jill -
This is where I pull out one of my favorite quotes from The Matrix said by Morpheus: "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path".
There are lots of courses which will help someone academically learn the agile mindset path, but there is no substitute for ongoing coaching and support by team members, a Scrum Master or Agile Coach.
I don't see why PM's can't coexist in an Agile environment. There are many knowledge areas the PM is involved in that operate inside and out of many Agile teams and projects.
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1 reply by Girija Ramakrishnan
Aug 31, 2018 4:11 AM
Girija Ramakrishnan
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Sante -
Yes but the PM role is eliminated and the management part of work is handed over to a Program Manager.
Thanks Kiron, good insights. I was part of an organization opting to eliminate the PM role and transition most responsibilities to the Product Owner and Scrum Master. They did encourage PM transition to SM or Release Train Engineer, and on some teams introduced Delivery Leads to support some responsibilities handled by the PM.
I can definitely see value in the first model you describe as well. Any thoughts on the best training to help infuse the AGILE mindset?
Jill -
This is where I pull out one of my favorite quotes from The Matrix said by Morpheus: "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path".
There are lots of courses which will help someone academically learn the agile mindset path, but there is no substitute for ongoing coaching and support by team members, a Scrum Master or Agile Coach.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Jill HartProgram Manager| Jill HartHampton, Nh, United States
Good use of the quote. I totally agree. Thanks for sharing it. Saving Changes...
In many organisations if multiple agile teams exist then the PM role is removed and the management decides to have a Delivery Lead or a Program Manager. For Scaled Agile teams too, they have the RTE and the Agile Coach to work with a Program Manager for their ART execution. Saving Changes...
I don't see why PM's can't coexist in an Agile environment. There are many knowledge areas the PM is involved in that operate inside and out of many Agile teams and projects.
Sante -
Yes but the PM role is eliminated and the management part of work is handed over to a Program Manager.
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Aug 31, 2018 4:32 AM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Yes...sometimes. Remember we are talking reality here, not theory.
Yes but the PM role is eliminated and the management part of work is handed over to a Program Manager.
Yes...sometimes. Remember we are talking reality here, not theory.
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1 reply by Girija Ramakrishnan
Aug 31, 2018 10:21 AM
Girija Ramakrishnan
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In the name of restructuring for Agile transformation, many management roles including PM roles are removed. Many are not clear of what to do and how .. that's the reality now in many organisations.
I remember for one of my Clients when we started Lean transformation before Agile, the main target of reducing waste was to reduce the team strength rather than looking at other areas of improvement.
Yes...sometimes. Remember we are talking reality here, not theory.
In the name of restructuring for Agile transformation, many management roles including PM roles are removed. Many are not clear of what to do and how .. that's the reality now in many organisations.
I remember for one of my Clients when we started Lean transformation before Agile, the main target of reducing waste was to reduce the team strength rather than looking at other areas of improvement. Saving Changes...
