Professional Services
Product, Culture and Code
It's part of our logo, and our tagline, our culture -- and it's how we work. How we deliver. How we do what we do. It's also what makes us different. Below are some examples of services offered, but please, take a moment and understand what it's like to work with us. There's some stark differences between us and many others. Strongly put, we're not for everyone.
Why we're different
We do all three. From customer interviews for understanding if it's the right thing to build, to curating a culture of engaged employees and leadership together, all the way to sitting next to your development team writing code, it's why we're different and why we get results.
Our way of working
Teach someone to fish, and ...
Our goal is to make your product, culture and code better than before by teaching you how, in your organization. This is why we don't do workshops. We haven't seen them work well nor stick in the long term. Instead, we work with you, on your product, with your culture, in your actual code base. This sticks and has lasting effects. We're also not looking to be part of your organization for a long extended contract. Think of us like your own special ops team.
While other groups will sell you a frozen fish dinner with microwave instructions
We teach you how to fish,
how do identify it
the best ways to prepare it,
on the stove, on the grill, in the oven, over open flame
how to cook it different ways,
show and explain different pairings
Product
Offerings
Below is the existing programs we have available but it is not a complete list. We're always iterating and innovating based on past classes and programs as well as trying out new ideas. We start with one of these and expand it as necessary - it's kind of the thing we do.
Innovation Spark
2 days. Fundamentals/IntermediateReset. Refocus. Refine.
Over two days, let's reset, refocus and refine the messaging, do some customer discovery, uncover current assumptions, challenge them and back up decision with results and data -- all inside of your organization. We start from the top, understanding the organization's reason for existence - "why are we here?" and carry that into the customers and what they're feeling, thinking. From there, how does the organization engage those customers and solve their problems. Finally, we end with a new perspective and actionable points to explore further.
Outcomes :
- Deeper understanding of customers that's actionable, not theoretical
- Validation (or invalidation!) of current ideas, methods
- Tools and ideas to innovate
Innovation Fire
3 days. Intermediate/AdvancedMap all the things.
Over three days, we'll map out your product to understand what you COULD do and weigh that against what you should do -- and most importantly, why. With a combination of story mapping, design thinking and design storming, we'll map out the world and understand of all the things the customer does, what can solve their problem right now and give us some way to know if we're on the right track.
Outcomes :
- Deeper understanding of customers that's actionable, not theoretical
- Validation (or ideally, invalidation!) of current ideas, methods
- Tools and ideas to innovate
Culture
Offerings
Below is the existing programs we have available but it is not a complete list. We're always iterating and innovating based on past classes and programs as well as trying out new ideas. We start with one of these and expand it as necessary - it's kind of the thing we do.
Retrospective : Collective Consciousness
2-4 hours. FundamentalsA retrospective should bring out ways for a team to improve and experiment. It could be anything from better workspace ergonomics, to meeting reduction (a favorite!). The bottom line: draw out those ideas so the team can get better. During this coach lead retro, it's designed to just that - draw out what the team is thinking, their observations and identify themes and actions to do things better.
This is perfect for a new team, or a team that has not done a retro in a while and wants to get back into it.
For a more detailed outline of this retrospective, take a look at Retro cheat sheet : collective consciousness
Outcomes :
- Empathy for others perspectives
- Discovery of observations that is shared, but not discussed
- Team focus vs individual focus
Code
Offerings
Below is the existing programs we have available but it is not a complete list. We're always iterating and innovating based on past classes and programs as well as trying out new ideas. We start with one of these and expand it as necessary - it's kind of the thing we do.
Test Driven Accelerator.
1 team, 3 days. FundamentalsA 3 day, hands on, coach lead learning on writing tests in your actual code base.
We've heard from enough teams - TDD isn't working for us.
As we learned the hard way, TDD isn't as easy to start at first. With various skill levels and approaches, so many teams think they're doing a good job when its only scratched the surface. Code coverage is high, tests are many but things still seem to get through. We've found most teams just need a nudge and there's no better placed to do it than in your own code base.
Outcomes:
- Observation and Identification of various code smells
- Understanding of when to use test driven development
- Understanding of how and when to use strangulation
- Coverage of SOLID practices
Team Driven Accelerator.
1 team, minimum 2 weeks (6 days). Fundamentals/IntermediateDig in deeper and understand
A hands on, coach lead learning on delivery in your actual product. This workshop takes the test driven accelerator and put it on steroids. In addition to covering all the topics in the Test Driven Accelerator, we take your team and show them when mobbing can be brought in, various techniques around social programming and deeper insights into craftsmanship concepts. Design for teams and team members of all skill, we strongly encourage all members of the team to participate.
Outcomes:
- Mobbing, Diverge-Converge, Pairing
- Refinement of Team Culture
- Coverage of SOLID practices
- Observation and Identification of various code smells
- Practice and implementation of test driven development
- Practice and implementation of how to test with existing code
Team Mentoring
1-2 teams over 3 months. Intermediate/AdvancedWhen full time isn't necessary but a week here and there at key times can make all the difference. This can be Mobbing on a problem, to customer interviews, to a product discovery.
Every team hits road blocks or points where a 3rd party can ask those dumb questions and drive a team to a better understanding and make better decisions. This can be as simple as 30 minute discussion, all the way to facilitation for all three camps (product, culture and code) to gain a better understanding.
Outcomes:
- Experienced, opinionated, curious guidance
- Refinement of tools and techniques for better outcomes
Platform Assessment
2 weeks+. AdvancedWhen you don't quite need a CTO or VP of Engineering, you just need to know where you are in the spectrum of things.
We've heard this enough times we had to make an offering. If your development team is offshore, or just 'disconnected', assess the health of your overall platform. Code quality, general design and others factors will be looked at, as well as a straight forward, objective look at your overall development practice.
Note this is not a security audit or pen test in any way - those are way more interesting and require a lot more paperwork.
Outcomes:
- Health Assessment Report
- Opportunities for Improvement
One on One Coaching
AdvancedCode reviews, engineering audits, etc
Sometimes you just need a second set of eyes or a second opinion.
All 3. Product, Culture, and Code
After talking with managers, executives, development teams, their members - we heard you.
and we dare you to call our bluff
- That can't happen here
- I love what you're saying but
- In reality...
- How it works here
- But we are following another companies model
We've heard all those reasons why it can't happen - every single one of them - from teams all over the world. We think it can happen "here", and that "in reality" the organization is just stuck and needs a boost. Your competition might be Google, Spotify, Amazon, Disney or Tesla with seemingly unlimited budgets... but you're different - otherwise, why do you exist? We'll show you how, in your organization, a wonderful product, culture and code is there, it exists. We start by showing you how by leading from the front with our product team. By bringing you along for the ride, we'll show you how your ideas can be made into reality. What's the catch? We will expect a lot more out of you and your teams moving forward.