Agile isn't enough any more.
Often times agile methodologies just assume you have a backlog emerging from the ether or a magical unicorn PO who sprinkles perfectly formed user stories behind them like skittles. That never seems to happen. Our work has to be better informed by our customers (mostly humans) and approaches like Human Centered Design and Design Thinking are filling that need. In this session we will look at the common methodologies that are being used, and often abused, to fill backlogs, drive agile execution, and talk about how cross-functional agile teams should be getting more involved!
Director Customer Experience - VML and Managing Partner - SmartOpEx
Since 2004 I've used agile and lean principles to build and guide teams across four different companies and over 20 different clients ranging from Wendy’s to Walmart. Industries include retail, health care, payment cards, B2B and B2C automotive, website development, digital marketing, and product development among others.
When I'm not working I'm spending time with my family, reading anything I can get my hands on, or playing a video game or two. You might also find me folding origami or practicing a card trick or two since both hobbies tend to impress my two wonderful daughters.
Driving innovation and design thinking through Lean and Agile product development
Preston has a passion for finding the best ways to get things done. This passion has led him to study Lean and Agile, which he uses on a daily basis to help his teams deliver awesomeness to the client. Though he started his undergraduate career studying music, Preston quickly realized that his greatest joy did not lie in music but in seeing and helping others learn, grow and accomplish greatness. Not only does he love solving all sorts of difficult problems with elegant solutions, he also wants to empower and uplift others to solve any conundrum that arises.
Over the last 12 years, he has assisted more than 50 different groups and organizations in transforming their operations with Lean and Agile principles. He has worked in such industries as pharmaceuticals labs, electronics assembly, food production, furniture manufacturing, product development and supply chain management. The companies and groups he has helped include: HON, Pepperidge Farm, Novartis, International Rectifiers, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, YRC, VML, Ford and Sprint. Preston currently is a Director of Technology at VML as well as a Managing Partner and Expert at Smart Opex providing transformational coaching for Lean and Agile journeys.