5 Traits to Look For in an Agile Transformation Consultant
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Published:
August 14, 2023
Reading Time:
6 minutes
Did you know that in the U.S. alone, almost 71% of companies have incorporated the Agile framework? It won’t be long before Agile is that one framework that almost every company uses—either fully or partially.
What’s the point behind mentioning this? Well, the stats say it loud and clear: Agile is the present and the future, so you better get used to it.
Now, initially, Agile may be confusing for many people. But once teams get used to it, they enjoy better communication, improved collaboration, and higher efficiency. However, to get to that level of Agile expertise, most teams need help—and to provide that guidance, Agile transformation consultants are at your service.
In this article, we will discuss the 5 traits you should look for in your next Agile transformation consultant. And in the end, we’ll also let you know the easiest and quickest way to find the best Agile consultants.
So, let’s dive into it.
What’s the point behind mentioning this? Well, the stats say it loud and clear: Agile is the present and the future, so you better get used to it.
Now, initially, Agile may be confusing for many people. But once teams get used to it, they enjoy better communication, improved collaboration, and higher efficiency. However, to get to that level of Agile expertise, most teams need help—and to provide that guidance, Agile transformation consultants are at your service.
In this article, we will discuss the 5 traits you should look for in your next Agile transformation consultant. And in the end, we’ll also let you know the easiest and quickest way to find the best Agile consultants.
So, let’s dive into it.
1. Agile and Consulting Skills
This one is obvious but worth mentioning. Whenever you hire an Agile transformation consultant, you should make sure that they possess comprehensive knowledge of various Agile frameworks, such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and others. Ask them about their previous Agile transformation projects and enquire about challenging instances they faced and how they overcame them. Ideally, an experienced, knowledgeable consultant will provide practical insights and share success stories.
Furthermore, you could conduct role plays to test how they can showcase their skills in real-life situations. For example, you could ask them to demonstrate how they’d manage a sprint planning session with the team. You should also present a hypothetical Agile challenge and ask the consultant to propose different solutions. This is because apart from theoretical knowledge, problem-solving skills are key in consulting and must be tested before you hire any freelance consultant.
Furthermore, you could conduct role plays to test how they can showcase their skills in real-life situations. For example, you could ask them to demonstrate how they’d manage a sprint planning session with the team. You should also present a hypothetical Agile challenge and ask the consultant to propose different solutions. This is because apart from theoretical knowledge, problem-solving skills are key in consulting and must be tested before you hire any freelance consultant.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Agile transformation consultants must have an in-depth knowledge of various Agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, etc.
2. Impeccable Communication Skills
Do you know what's genuinely essential for Agile consultants? Their communication skills! Just knowing about Agile methodologies is not important, they must also know how to explain them to a newbie. Imagine this: you hire an Agile transformation consultant who can talk about Agile concepts like a breeze, without bombarding you with difficult jargon or confusing tech talk. How convenient would that be? Frankly, if they can break down hard concepts into relatable stories and everyday examples, you’d know you’ve hired the right one!
For example, let’s assume that an online consulting platform is looking to streamline its project management process and improve collaboration among teams. They decide to hire an Agile consultant with exceptional communication skills. This consultant effortlessly breaks down complex concepts into relatable terms, helping the management team grasp the core of Agile methodologies. And because the consultant is such an effective communicator, the team becomes fluent in Agile, and the company experiences improved efficiency, boosted creativity, and a booming culture of collaboration.
For example, let’s assume that an online consulting platform is looking to streamline its project management process and improve collaboration among teams. They decide to hire an Agile consultant with exceptional communication skills. This consultant effortlessly breaks down complex concepts into relatable terms, helping the management team grasp the core of Agile methodologies. And because the consultant is such an effective communicator, the team becomes fluent in Agile, and the company experiences improved efficiency, boosted creativity, and a booming culture of collaboration.
3. Business Acumen
Business acumen refers to the innate ability to understand and deal with a business situation to ensure a favorable outcome. As you may know, consultants with strong business acumen are essential for successful Agile transformations. You’re not hiring a teacher to teach the alphabet to students—you’re hiring a consultant who understands business and can train the team to use Agile in business situations.
Let’s suppose that a manufacturing company that's eager to streamline its production process hires an Agile transformation consultant. Because the consultant has strong business acumen, they quickly understand the company's business objectives, market challenges, and customer demands. By combining their Agile experience with business acumen, the consultant tailors an Agile strategy that is very specific to the manufacturing industry. As a result, the company experiences a 20% reduction in wastage and a 15% increase in product quality within the first three months of Agile implementation.
Let’s suppose that a manufacturing company that's eager to streamline its production process hires an Agile transformation consultant. Because the consultant has strong business acumen, they quickly understand the company's business objectives, market challenges, and customer demands. By combining their Agile experience with business acumen, the consultant tailors an Agile strategy that is very specific to the manufacturing industry. As a result, the company experiences a 20% reduction in wastage and a 15% increase in product quality within the first three months of Agile implementation.
4. Cultural Fit
If you have worked in HR or have hired anyone ever, you may have heard of the saying: “The people make the place.” You could be running an average business, but if your people are skilled, determined, empathetic, and can work in a team, you could end up being more successful than someone who has a fancy office in a high-rise building. That’s why when you’re hiring Agile transformation consultants, you should ensure they’re a good fit for your company.How to do this? Well, you could ask them to take a quick personality test to examine how well their personality aligns with your company culture. These tests may not be perfect, but they can provide valuable insights into a consultant’s communication style, work preferences, and ability to handle challenges—all of which are important in an Agile environment.
And if a personality test seems like too much work, simply ask them some culture-related questions during the interview, such as:
- Do you prefer a fast-paced or slow-paced work environment?
- How do you handle pressure or tight deadlines?
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with a new team to achieve a common goal.
- What’s your problem-solving approach in a team setting?
- Do you adapt well to change or does it overwhelm you?
- What’s your opinion on giving and receiving feedback?
5. Results Orientation
During the interview stage itself, decide what results you expect and how much you’re willing to pay for those results. See it like this: when you go to a restaurant, you eat certain items and pay for them. Similarly, with an Agile transformation consultant, you should set clear expectations for the outcomes you desire and the investment you're willing to make. This is why it’s crucial to hire results-oriented consultants.An Agile transformation consultant, who is worth it, will appreciate your transparent approach and provide a detailed plan with achievable milestones that are aligned with your business objectives. They can demonstrate how they intend to provide tangible results—this could include streamlining processes, boosting team productivity, increasing revenue, or improving customer satisfaction.
For example, a software development company can hire a freelance Agile expert for the following deliverables:
- Create a customized Agile strategy
- Train the team in using Scrum
- Conduct four test sprints and measure the progress
- Identify areas of improvement and retrain the team if necessary
- Offer one follow-up session every month for six months
Where to Find Top Agile Consultants?
Alright, now you may be wondering: how can I hire the best freelance Agile transformation consultant? Well, here at Consultport, we have around 10,000 highly experienced consultants who are now taking freelance roles. All our consultants have worked with blue-chip companies or top consulting firms like BCG, McKinsey, Deloitte, and many more.
Our Agile transformation consultants can turn your team into an effective, revenue-generating force that is highly efficient. Here’s how they work their magic:
So, what are you waiting for?
Get in touch with us now and let us introduce you to your next Agile transformation superstar!
- Framework definition: Our Agile transformation consultants can set up a customized Agile framework designed specifically for your organization's unique needs. No more one-size-fits-all approach!
- Impact measure: Success must be measured, especially when you’re paying for it. Agile consultants will track the impact of your transformation through predefined indicators, ensuring that you see real results in action.
- Cross-functional collaboration enhancement: Break those annoying information silos! Our experts will boost communication between multiple functions, ensuring a smooth exchange of knowledge and encouraging a collaborative work environment.
- Short cycle management: Our Agile consultants have got your back. They can create short-term sprints that will move your projects forward swiftly, which will pave the way for continued progress.
- Change facilitation: We all know that change can be daunting—whether it’s in business or personal life. To make change smooth as butter, Agile consultants can implement specific measures to facilitate your organization's transformation, making an otherwise challenging journey seamless.
- Driving digitalization: There’s no denying that we’re living in a digital era. Digitalization is no longer a trend, but a reality and norm! Agile transformation can help you propel your company into the digital age with confidence.
So, what are you waiting for?
Get in touch with us now and let us introduce you to your next Agile transformation superstar!
