Building a Better Agile Organization: The Power of Knowledge-Sharing

Agile is a rapidly growing field, and there is a wealth of knowledge and experience out there to be shared. But how do you find other agile practitioners who share your interests? And how do you build a community where people can learn from each other and grow together?

In this blog post, I will share some tips on how to build a global community of practice for agility. I will also discuss the importance of being loud and proud about your community and the need to focus on content that is valuable to your members.

Why build a global community of practice for agility?

There are many reasons why you might want to build a global community of practice for agility. Here are a few of the most important:

• To learn from others. One of the best ways to learn about agile is to talk to other people who are already using it. A global community of practice can give you access to a wealth of knowledge and experience from people all over the world, and getting to know the subject matter experts can shorten the time you need to find the right answer.
• To share your knowledge. If you have experience with agile, you can share your knowledge with others by participating in a global community of practice. This is a great way to give back to the agile community and help others learn and grow.  Good ways can be Meetups, internal knowledge-sharing sessions and ask me anything sessions.
• To connect with others. Agile is a collaborative approach for any organisation, and a global community of practice can help you connect with other agile practitioners worldwide. This can be a great way to build relationships, learn from others, and get support.

How to build a global community of practice for agility?

Building a global community of practice for agility takes time and effort, but it can be incredibly rewarding. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Start with a clear vision. What do you want your community to achieve? What kind of content do you want to share? Whom do you want to attract as members? Having a clear vision will help you stay focused and make decisions about how to grow your community.
2. Be loud and proud of your community. Let people know that you’re building a community for agile practitioners. Share your plans on social media, in online forums, at the coffee machine, in face-to-face meetings and in your email signature.  The more people who know about your community, the more likely they are to join.
3. Focus on content that is valuable to your members. This could include articles, videos, webinars, or even just discussion threads. The key is providing content to help your members learn and grow.  So also, use moments to find out what the burning topics are.
4. Make it easy for people to connect with each other. This could include setting up a forum, creating a Slack channel, or organising meetups. The more ways people have to connect with each other, the more likely they are to stay engaged with your community.
5. Be inclusive and welcoming. Everyone should feel welcome in your community, regardless of their background or experience level. Make sure your language and tone are inclusive, and be open to feedback from your members.

Additional research

In addition to the tips I have shared in this blog post, several other resources are available that can help you build a global community of practice for agility. Here are a few of the most helpful:

• The Agile Alliance: https://www.agilealliance.org/ has a number of resources on building and sustaining communities of practice.
• The Scaled Agile Framework: https://scaledagileframework.com/ includes a section on communities of practice.
• The Scrum Alliance: https://www.scrumalliance.org/ has a number of resources on building and sustaining communities of practice.

Conclusion

Building a global community of practice for agility is a great way to learn, share, and connect with other agile practitioners worldwide. By following the tips in this blog post, you can create a valuable community that helps its members achieve their goals.