Netherlands 
Bart den will be presenting the following session
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keyboard_arrow_downBart den Haak - How to make OKRs Lean again
45 Mins
Talk
Intermediate
OKRs are a goal-setting, strategy execution tool that involves setting ambitious goals that lead to measurable results. The thing is, over the years, OKRs have gotten too complicated - they need to be put on a diet - and that’s where Lean OKRs step in. They are hyper-focused on one single OKR to rule all others. Often, OKRs are not set up for success and thus tossed aside. I can name four (and a half) common reasons why your OKRs aren’t working. Among them, the importance of finding a rhythm for making OKRs part of your way of working, leading teams with trust, and getting the foundation in place so teams aren’t running before they learn how to walk.
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1. What got you started/interested in modern software development methods?
I've been in the software industry for more than 22 years now and used methods like Crystal and XP from the very start.
2. What do you think is the biggest challenge faced by the software product engineering community today?
Although XP and DevOps are very new methods, engineering teams struggle to get them implemented. I believe technical coaching is missing largely in the fields. A mentor/mentee model is something we all had when we started to program, but seems absent in today's world where only people work in feature factories.
3. What do you think are the most exciting developments in software product engineering today?
Lean OKRs of course, but I'm biased. Overall, obtaining a Lean mindset is a great skill for engineers to have.
From a tech perspective, I see huge potential in platforms that eliminate waste DTAP environments, such as dark-lang and platform.sh
4. Why did you choose the topic(s) you will be speaking about at the conference?
Ever since I started to work with OKRs I noticed the huge potential this framework could offer engineers. I get really disappointed when I see software development teams taking instructions (people call them requirements) from people higher up in the chain (POs, Managers, Executives). This removes all the fun in programming. I believe you owe it to your engineers to work with OKRs or a similar focus on outcome-driven software development.
5. What are some of the key takeaways from your session(s) at Agile India?
Using a Lean mindset when working with OKRs.
6. Which sessions are you particularly looking forward to attending at Agile India this year?
Joshua Kerievsky. Linda Rising. Shane Hastie. Ward Cunningham.
