Draft Ver 7.0By Satish Narni

Why SICER ? In Agile for doing transformation, we have Many popular Methodologies ? Like SCRUM ,Kanban,XP,Lean,.. Every Methodology talks about Certain Specific area ,But it wont talk about the changes which we need to make parallel in the organization if we are implementing a particular methodology, And also we don’t have any particular time tested guidelines which we can use for Transformation So here comes the SICER, So What Is SICER ?SICER is a Agile Framework ,which Guides all the necessary Processes required for Transformation for Software Organizations.

SICER stands for

S = Solidarity I= Integrity

C= Commitment E= Excellence

R=Respect

Based on the above Core values of SICER ,We use the Agile Manifesto according to our Commitments, SICER is a Framework which Prepares ,Establishes and Make Matured Processes for making an agile Transformation successful by making all the required changes happen in a minimum cost to Organization ,Means All Startup's and Medium sized Companies can now reap the fruits of Agile through SICER .

Based On the Core Values Of SICER , We follow the Agile Manifesto

Solidarity We Bind Together As One Team Integrity We Do The Right ThingCommitment We Keep Our WordExcellenceWe Give Our BestRespectWe Value Each Other

In The SICER Framework, Employee Motivation, Employee Feedback, and Transparency are the Secret Recipe’s of the Organizations Success.

Agile SICER Framework is a Silver Bullet for Agile TransformationI wish this is True - but it isn't. You can fail just as spectacularly on an Agile transformation project if we don’t follow the principles. But here You'll fail faster as you will be using Agile (due to the transparency and visibility it brings) but unfortunately it's not a silver bullet or an excuse to stop thinking.

Myth & Fact Of SICER

1. UNDERSTAND AGILE SICER METHODS AND THEIR BENEFITS.

3. BELIEVE IN THE CHANGE.

4. FUND FOR EXPERIMENTING.

5. EMPOWER THE PROCESS AND BUSSINESS LEADER'S.

6. ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT.

7. ENCOURAGE TECH AWARENESS OF BUSINESS DOMAIN EXPERTS.

8. GEAR UP TO TAKE IN MORE FROM THE TECH TEAMS.

9. REWARD SUCCESS BUT DON'T PENALIZE INITIAL SETBACKS.

10. COMMUNICATE AND FOSTER ADOPTION WITHIN BUSINESS TEAMS.

11. DEMAND FASTER VALUE DEMONSTRATION !

Things Which BUSINESS LEADERSHIP Should Do To HELP The Company To Successfully Travel The AGILE Transformation.

2. CREATE AN AGILE GOVERNANCE BODY.

Consider creating an Agile GB to enhance and scale capabilities in applying Agile processes and practices to deliver business value when strategic objectives or critical capabilities in an enterprise require ongoing focus and specialty skills. Growing an Agile GB from scratch cannot happen overnight. The following steps can initiate the Agile GB:

Gain support at the right level with a focus on delivering valueIdentify people for leadership and other key roles that are passionate about deepening their skills and delivering results using themDocument and share skills and methods; get training and mentoring where skills fall shortApply the skills in pilot projects that are important to the enterprise while mentoring others to expand the capabilitiesPut in place output measures that track results deliveredFormalize the team, integrate it with strategic planning, and expand it across the organizationContinue to improve, adapt, and advance capabilities

Importance of AGILE GB

All the Agile GB Activities should be defined in a SICER Process Guide.

SICERProcess Guide

Appraisals

Meetings

Culture

Documents

Conflicts Resolution

Recruitment Practices

Continuous Leadership Learning

Roles

SICER Process Guide

Process Leader

Every Organization has its own Way of doing things So, One set of Transformation Rules may not apply to Other Organizations ,Because of this each organization has to define their Processes until their process gets matured by reducing Waste.

So, First we need to keep a Agile governing body and it should consist of members of different departments of an organization and they should plan for Road Map by constantly updating in the SICER Process Guide.

Most Important Waste is Intellectual Waste

Some of the reasons for Intellectual Waste :-1. Employees know that knowledge is power. 2. Sharing knowledge wont be rewarded.3. Employees cannot evaluate their knowledge.4. The opinions of non college graduates are

ignored.5. People don't know each other enough to build

relations to trust each other.

Other Waste’s in Software

Other Organizational Waste’s

1. The Team Size Should Be Small So that the Team Members can be more Collaborative and Manageable.2. The Team Commitment Period should be Short.3. The Team Should Use Automation Tools for Testing , Not Only this We should use Tools Where ever it reduces

Time. 4. The Team Should use TFS or other related software for Continuous Integration.5. In the Commit Phase the Team Should get their Commitments Acceptance Criteria from the Testers first.6. There should be Work In Progress Limit ,And this Limit Should Be decided by the Team.7. Activities should be done by Pair Programming when ever its Necessary.8. We have to first go to a customer and collect the Minimum Viable Product and also we have to find out the Pain

Points ,How they want it to be Addressed and in what Time Period, and based on the info gathered we need to keep frequent Thought Meetings regularly with continuous customer interaction.9. We have to give more importance to Actionable Working Hours for Planning and Estimation.10. We wont have any minimum or maximum time limit for the meetings.11. If they are Multiple Teams Working on one Product Backlog then we need to form a Integration Team Of

Business Owner, Process Owner and Technical leader for Resolving Interdependencies and Other Impediments , And For this they need to Keep a Feedback Meeting for discussing about them.

How we do Things in SICER for Reducing Waste

Another Way Of reducing Waste in SICERAnother way of reducing Waste is to use Value Stream Mapping ,If this technique it self takes more time means use Flow Charts and Draw the entire Process FlowNow Test And allocate the actual time in each and every step ,Now go through the entire process and Find and analyze why its taking that much time, Now try to reduce it.

Continuous Learning in SICERIn the SICER Framework, 1.The Continuous learning should be done through emails, Means instead of spending separate time

on learning activities .Daily few mails will be sent to all the employees about Leadership , Integrity , Compliance . We repeat the same process daily These emails contain Cut Short Information which employees can use as Information Radiators for Continuous Improvement in a Cost Effective Manner.

2.The Continuous learning should be done through Continuous Learning by go throughing free Courses in a Cost Effective Manner.

Sno Course Name Need Of this Course Where We can Take this Course LevelHours Needed

1Achieve More in Less Time Using SMART Goals

Use a proven goal setting approach to increase your productivity, leadership and management skills. Achieve more today.

www.udemy.com Beginner1 Hours

2

Internal Communication Methods - Strategy and Tactics

A guide to Internal Communication methods, tactics & channels & when and how to use them to maximum advantage.

www.udemy.com Beginner

2 Hours

3

How to use positive thinking to be more successful. DEMO

Learn how to get what you want out of life by thinking with a positive manner.

www.udemy.com Beginner

1 Hours

4How to overcome fears How to heal and remove common fears www.udemy.com Beginner

2 Hours

5The Art of Developing Self-Awareness

A step-by-step guide to greater happiness, success & self-esteem by activating positive change from the inside out.

www.udemy.com Beginner1 Hour

6Improve your world and life with Hypnosis

Change your perception of the world to having your glass half full with natures gift hypnosis for more happiness in life

www.udemy.com Beginner1 Hours

7Culture | How to Support Team Culture

Understand how to create an atmosphere that has a sense of team for a diverse group of people

www.udemy.com Beginner1 Hour

8The Power Of Questions

Questions can flip your life around real easy? Empower your life NOW by always asking the right questions.

www.udemy.com Beginner2 Hours

9Professional Communication Essentials

Fundamentals of communicating in the workplace, including effective email and letter-writing techniques, and web search.

www.udemy.com Beginner1 Hours

10

How To Double Your Productivity By Tomorrow Morning

12 counter-intuitive steps to double your productivity by tomorrow morning and master time management

www.udemy.com Beginner2 Hours

Details Of Free Courses

IDENTIFYING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE For Bringing an Agile Transformation Every organization has to Look into the Below Mentioned things with Out Fail VISION+SKILLS+INCENTIVES+RESOURCES+ACTION PLAN

Then ORGANIZATIONAL Change Happens With Out Fail, Other wise It brings Below Chaos in the Organization.

Vision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Change Good IndicatorVision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Confusion Bad IndicatorVision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Anxiety Bad IndicatorVision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Resistance Bad IndicatorVision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan Frustration Bad IndicatorVision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan False Starts Bad Indicator

IDENTIFYING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

And If in Case If we Find Multiple Things are Missing and if we don’t fix them ,Means it will Bring a Chaos in the Organization.

Fixed Mindset Vs. Agile Mindset

An Agile Mind-set

Ability to Grow

Goal is to Learn

Embrace Challenge

Failure provides Learning Opportunity

Effort is for Path of Mastery

Reaction to Challenge is Resilience

An Fixed Mind-set

Ability-Fixed, like Height

Goal-Look good

Challenge-Avoid

Failure-Defines a person’s identity

Effort-For people without talent

Reaction to Challenge-Helplessness

Agile Mind-set is the differentiator between ‘Doing’ Agile and ‘Being’ Agile

AGILE MINDSET ENABLERS

Demonstrate Culture Change At The ‘Top’•Be Transparent

•Don’t treat People as ‘resources’

•Practice ‘Servant Leadership’

Redefine Success Criteria•Focus on Delivery of Value

•Ask for the ‘Right’ information

•Bring Accountability at Team level

Encourage Continuous Improvement•Enable Fast and Regular Feedback

•Spur Positive Disruptions

•Celebrate Successes

Make Changes at Org. Level•Modify Appraisal Process

•Have People Friendly Policies

•Align the entire Organization

Address Middle Management Insecurities & Concerns•Help bring out in open

•Help them to visualize the benefits of their new role

•Pair with Transformed Managers

AGILE MINDSET INDICATORS

1. Teams look at Failure as Learning Opportunity.2. People Are ‘Intrinsically’ Motivated.3. Teams welcome Diversity of Thought. 4. People Are having Fun At Work.5. Teams Are Working at Sustainable Pace.6. Teams are ready to Embrace Change.7. Teams Practice ‘Brutal’ Transparency.8. People have Urge to Communicate & Collaborate.9. People Willingly Share Knowledge.10.Teams Themselves Observe Anti Patterns

In the SICER Framework, We Will be having 1.Team Info & Assessment Document 2.Commitments Document 3.Commitments Work Break Down Document 4.Commitments Progress Document 5.Commitments Impediments Document 6.Commitments Technical Issues & Architecture Document 7.Commitments Review Document 8.Maturity Feedback Document 9.SICER Process Conflict Form 10.Commitments Appraisals Form 11.SICER Meeting Minutes Form

All the SICER Framework Activities SHOULD be defined in a SICER Process Guide.

Documents in SICER

In Agile we hear this jargon "CROSS FUNCTIONAL TEAM"  lot of times so By the way what is a cross functional team !!! In Agile SICER Framework every event and task is exactly time boxed. Because of this a team formed for working In a traditional waterfall model may not achieve their goals because of their Team Structure.so for this we use the concept of a cross functional team . So what is it exactly ?

This is a Single Super Team where different teams of developers ,testers , business analysts and others form like a single team and collaborate each other effectively by sharing their views and by helping each other in achieving the sprint goals starting from requirements gathering to the time its deployed .So does this mean that if you club different teams into one team then  we can call that team as a cross functional team. Theoretically yes , but for the successful execution of the project in the Agile SICER Framework the team members should posses some basic qualities and necessary technical knowledge. Then only the project will be successful otherwise though if we follow the SICER Framework rules then also it will fail and then at end as a last resort we use a Fish Bone diagram for finding the root cause of the failure.

So every team member should posses these below basic qualities

1.He or she should have required technical knowledge and show enthusiasm to learn new technologies when necessary.

2.He or she should know and use only One common language for communicating among the other team members is necessary.

3.He or she should be collaborative and help others.

4.He or she should be self motivated ,organized , transparent and disciplined.

And if the cross functional team posses these qualities then we can say that we formed a cross functional team with assured success of the project.

Self Organized Dedicated-Cross Functional Team in SICER

  The Success Mantra For Hiring a Agile Team is that the HR Team have to follow few things  means they have to keep few tests  for the Team members for checking whether He / She really have the Agile Attitude  which is the key for the overall success of the Project. So  what is “Agile Attitude” In General Terms It  means He / She have  to be

“ A Part of owning  the  Rapid Changes  and in doing so  they have to be  Adaptable to the Situations aroused  with  a Positive Outlook in  a  Disciplined , Collaborative  and Transparent Perception by Showing Respect to Others. ”

The  Agile Coach  with the Help of the Hiring Team have to check  these Qualities  while  Selecting  the Team Members .So How do we need to check these qualities:-1.Group Discussion:-Keep a Group Discussion In this discussion see how they are communicating in a Team and also check whether they are showing Positive Outlook in that discussion .2.Team Task:-Organize a Team Task and in this task check whether they are taking initiatives according to the changing plans or not and also check how they are coordinating with the other Team members in achieving the team goal.So by these tests we can find whether  a team member has the Agile Attitude or Not.3.System Test:-Keep a System Test on the area which they are needed.

Success Mantra For Hiring a Agile Team in SICER

In the Decide Phase we keep Thought Meetings and then we keep Team Assessment Meeting to decide the Team Members which should be a Dedicated Cross Functional Team.

First ,In the Commitment Phase we Keep Business Clarity meeting to analyze the Enhancements and in the Commitment Meeting the team will Freeze the requirements ,In this Meeting the Team will Give the Work Breakdown Structures for all the requirements in a Project .

Secondly , In this Phase we use meetings Like Commitment Progress Meeting and Business Clarity Meeting for resolving Business related doubts of Developers and Testers after this according to our needs we Keep a Future Release Commitment Planning Meeting.

In the Explore Phase we do Commitment Review Meeting for taking Approval on the developed s/wand also at the end we keep a Maturity Feedback Meeting for making these 3 Phases Matured.

1.Decide Phase

2.Commit Phase

3.Explore Phase

Phases in SICER

Commitment Review Meeting

Maturity Feedback Meeting

Commitment Progress Meeting

Business Clarity Meeting

Team Assessment Meeting

Test Driven Development

Commitment Meeting

Thought Meeting

Business Clarity Meeting

Decide Commit Explore

Future Release Commitment

Planning Meeting

Process Flow in SICER

Meetings in SICER

In SICER Framework We wont have any minimum or maximum time limit for the meetings.

1.Thought Meeting :- In this meeting team analyze and share their thoughts among the team members, And In this meeting any one can Participate according to the need.

2.Team Assessment Meeting :- In this meeting Technical Manager ,Business Owner ,Process Owner and Team Manager will decide what Assement should be kept to decide the team.

3.Business Clarity Meeting :- In this Meeting Business Leader will clarify about the commitments to the team members, And In this meeting all roles except Team Manager remaining all should be present.

4.Commitment Meeting :- In this Meeting Team play a Planning Poker Game and give estimation through work breakdown structure , And In this meeting Process Owner ,Technical Manager and Team should be present.

5. Commitment Progress Meeting :- In this Meeting Team will discuss about what they have done yesterday what they are going to do this day and they need to talk about the impediments if any , And In this meeting Process Owner ,Technical Manager and Team should be present

6.Future Release Commitment Planning Meeting :- In this Meeting Team will discuss about the future Commitments, And In this meeting all roles except Team Manager remaining all should be present.

7.Commitment Review meeting :- In this Meeting team give demo to the Business owner, And In this meeting all roles except Team Manager remaining all should be present.

8.Commitment Feedback Meeting :- In this Meeting team along with Business owner ,Process Owner , Team Manager and Technical Manager sit along with the team to discuss about the Process Maturity.

Meetings in SICER

How To Create Roles & Responsibilities In SICER

Team Manager

Business Owner

Process Owner Technical

Manager

Team Member

Team Member

Take Cares Process Maturity

Take Cares All Managerial Activities

Acts Like a Organizational Stakeholder

Take Care All Technical Work

Dedicated Cross Functional Execution Team

Roles & Responsibilities In SICER

Team Member

Who can become a Business Owner ?

Business Owner is a part of the team and should hence be available as much as possible to the team [close to 100%]. Hence, BO can only be someone who is available to the team 100% of the time.

Business Owner needs to understand the big picture – the philosophical as well as practical aspects of what is being built. This would often require excellent domain knowledge.

Business Owner should know what will work – hence, exposure to marketing and sales is important. This is also often called Voice of the Customer. Basically, Business Owner should deeply empathize with customers – their needs, their frustrations and their wishes.

Availability

Domain Knowledge

Voice Of Customer

Agile Knowledge

He Should have Agile Knowledge.

Who can become a Process Owner?

Servant Leader

He Should act like a Servant Leader and Facilitate TM in All the People Management Activities and resolve all the Impediments, the Primary responsibility of the PO is to make the Process matured by reducing Waste.

Process Owner is a part of the team and should be always available to the team [100%].

Availability

Who can become a Team Manager?

Team Manager should know Management 3.0 techniques.

Technology HR Specialist

Every Team Manager is a part of the team and so they should be always available to the team [100%].

Availability

Agile Knowledge

Team Manager Should have Agile Knowledge.

Who can become a Technical Manager?

Technical Manager should know technology – programming and they should actively involve in the Architecture and other Technical Issues.

Technology Specialist

Every Technical Manager is a part of the team and so they should be always available to the team [100%].

Availability

Technical Manager needs to understand the big picture – the philosophical as well as practical aspects of what is being built.

Domain Knowledge

Agile Knowledge

Technical Manager Should have Agile Knowledge.

Who can become a Team Member?

Team Member should know both technology – programming, UI, QA is required .

Technology Specialist

Every Team Member is a part of the team and so they should be always available to the team [100%].

Availability

Team Member needs to understand the big picture – the philosophical as well as practical aspects of what is being built.

Domain Knowledge

Agile Knowledge

Team Member Should have Agile Knowledge.

The SICER Framework, The Employee Appraisals are done by the Employees Themselves in the Form of 360 Degrees Feedbacks. The Process Owner along with Business Owner and Technical Manager Observes the Fairness of the execution of the 360 Degrees Feedbacks.In this Process The Technical Manager Checks the Individual Technical Learning SkillsBusiness Owner Checks the Project Goals Of the Team has been Achieved Or NotProcess Owner Checks the Integrity , Compliance and Cultural Space.

Appraisal Process in SICER

Culture in its purest form is Morals and Values .So, Culture is simply How we do things in a Ethical Manner which is acceptable by Every One.Then How is Culture linked to Agile SICER Framework Transformation of an Organization ?Is it a new kind of Revolution which is taking Place in the 21st Century.Yes ,As Agile SICER Philosophy is Completely Based on the True Morals & Values of Life like Honesty,Cooperation,Motivation, and Freedom. So, In Simple Terms Agile SICER Philosophy Is all about" Achieving a Organizational Goal by Showing and Practicing the Highest Values of Life through Team Cooperation in a Transparent Manner ".So Which Should Happen First.Agile SICER Framework Transformation or Cultural Transformation ?This Transformation should start with By Building Rich Cultural Values in the Teams and then we should start applying the SICER Framework across the Organization.Finally What Agile SICER Framework Says is

“An Agile SICER Framework Transformation Can’t happen Completely Without a Cultural Transformation and a Cultural Transformation can’t happen in a Day or So, As it should take place smoothly in a Slow and Continuous Learning Manner through Continuous Improvement” .

Culture in SICER

In the SICER Framework, The Conflict is Not treated as a Problem with Two Or More Individuals ,But its Treated as a Outcome Of Un Matured Process.So , If Employees Have any Conflict then we have to First Talk to Process Owner to keep a Process Maturity Review Meeting with Reporting Managers and the Process Owners and in front of them they have to Fill a Process Conflict Form,Then in the Next meeting we have to find a Solution for Making this Flaw in the Process Resolved So, That the Process Becomes Matured.

Conflict Resolution in SICER