Eyes on the Goal !

Would you like a more meaningful conversation during Daily StandUp (DSU) meeting (team level) ? During weekly ART Synch (program level)?

One word: Goal !

During DSU, instead of being focused on telling the team on what you have done yesterday, what you will do today and tomorrow… try this: Keep your eyes on the goal for this iteration / sprint … then tell everyone what you have done yesterday, what you will do today and tomorrow to advance the achievement of the current sprint / iteration’s goal. Include in the conversation any impediment — to the goal — that you need help in resolving it.

Yes, if you have not set a goal for the iteration, do it now!

Tie everything that you do to the advancement of the achievement of the iteration goal… which leads to the achievement of the team objectives… then program objectives.

This way, conversations are more meaningful, contextual, and more substantial with the goal as the focal point or centerpiece of the conversation!

Are you on-track or off-track on your sprint / iteration goals, team objectives, program objectives? Have a goal-based conversation to see if your team or ART is on-track or off-track!

Talking about stories and features without the goal as the focal point is insane and directionless.

You want a winning team? Keep your eyes on the goal!

Make your team goal-driven at every sprint / iteration … and purpose-driven towards the achievement of the team objectives set forth for the current program increment.

SAFe Principle #8 — Unlock the intrinsic motivation of knowledge workers — is where I tie this ‘eyes on goal’ mindset. A worker driven by Autonomy, by Mastery, and with sense of Purpose is unstoppable!

Daniel Pink’s “MAP” illustrated it perfectly: Mastery, Autonomy, Purpose.

A purpose-driven person (a person with a vision, mission, and goal), with autonomy (minimal constraint on how that vision/mission/goal is achieved), with an intent to “master” or surmount a challenging vision/mission/goal… is up at night… and eagerly wakes up early in the morning to continue the pursuit/endeavor/journey! Perhaps even singing “hi-ho, hi-ho, off to work I go”! That person is super motivated! He will climb the highest mountain, will dive deep in the deepest ocean…will collaborate, cooperate and share!

One word to keep in mind all the time: Goal !

More on iteration goals at https://www.scaledagileframework.com/iteration-goals/