Mr Koca, you work as an agile coach at Vorwerk. How can the outside observer imagine your line of work?
As an agile coach I am part of the Digital IT department – with my core task being to facilitate and set up agile working methods. We are currently four agile coaches and see ourselves as part of the project team, in which we support our colleagues with the product definition, the requirements management and the application of their themes.
Our aim in all measures is to make the best use of the for us new methodology of agile product development. To do so, I advise management and colleagues in the definition of the new agile roles and run internal workshops about agile requirements in management as well as agile leadership.
Which requirements are needed to become an agile coach?
I can outline the way we look at this at Vorwerk, as there are a number of different descriptions: Agile coaches should know their way around in the world of product development and project execution – preferably specifically oriented towards the branch and/or the products of the company.
Added to this is the knowledge relating to agile methodologies such as “Lean,” “Scrum” or “Kanban.” And if you also have a pragmatic work ethic and respect for your colleagues’ projects, you are well-suited to become an agile coach with us.
Is there special training that is given in agile project management?
Most come to us with knowledge in the afore-mentioned areas. We offer training courses to colleagues who want to make progress as an agile coach, which enable them to initially become Scrum Masters, then moderators or mediators in an agile project team, then coaches for other Scrum Masters and ultimately coaches for agile project management.