Effective Peer Consulting for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches
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Chapter 1: Understanding Intervision
Intervision serves as a powerful tool for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches, allowing them to support one another in a collaborative environment. Although these professionals often fulfill roles such as consultants, mentors, and trainers, they too encounter challenges and require assistance.
This method can be quickly implemented in organizations with multiple Scrum Masters or Agile Coaches. Intervision promotes peer consulting, where all participants regard one another as equals, eliminating the hierarchy of expertise. Regular meetings—ideally once or twice a month for about 70 minutes—are essential for this process.
During an intervision session, three roles are established:
- Client (who presents a case)
- Peer Consulting Group (provides feedback)
- Moderator (facilitates the discussion)
The moderator's responsibilities include:
- Monitoring time
- Ensuring adherence to procedures
- Gathering cases
- Initiating discussions with key questions
At the start of the session, the group selects a moderator who cannot also serve as the client. The moderator then invites participants to briefly present their cases, which are noted on a shared platform. Following the presentations, group members cast votes—each having three votes—to select the case that will be discussed.
Section 1.1: Phases of an Intervision Session
Phase 1: Client Case Description (10 minutes)
The client articulates their case in detail, formulating a specific question such as “How can I...?” The advisory group remains silent during this time, allowing the client to express their concerns.
Example:
Michael, a Scrum Master, faces challenges during team retrospectives where actionable outcomes are seldom achieved. He describes his observations and asks, “How can I design the retrospective so that all team members are motivated to contribute and real improvements are defined and implemented?”
Phase 2: Inquiry by the Group (10 minutes)
The moderator encourages the consulting group to ask clarifying or exploratory questions, which the client answers. This phase often leads to a refinement of the client's initial question.
Phase 3: Hypothesis Development (10 minutes)
Participants generate hypotheses regarding the client's situation, which are recorded by a designated group member. The client remains silent during this phase.
Phase 4: Client Feedback on Hypotheses (5–10 minutes)
The client reviews the hypotheses and provides feedback, while the advisory group listens attentively.
Phase 5: Solution Exploration (10 minutes)
The group discusses potential solutions, documenting their ideas. The client listens and reflects on the suggestions without contributing.
Phase 6: Client Review of Solutions (5–10 minutes)
The client assesses the proposed solutions and actions, providing their thoughts while the group remains silent.
Phase 7: Reflection (10 minutes)
The consulting group discusses the effectiveness of the session, sharing insights about what worked well and what presented challenges. The client also reflects on their experience throughout the process.
In the video "A Safe Place to Grow - An Interview with Jonathan Bennet," the importance of a supportive environment for growth is discussed. Jonathan shares insights into how peer consultation can facilitate personal and professional development.
Chapter 2: Practical Applications in Gardening
The video "About Growing Tomatoes - An Interview on the Down the Garden Path Podcast" provides practical tips on cultivating tomatoes, paralleling the growth and nurturing found in intervision sessions. The discussion highlights how collaboration and shared knowledge can enhance both gardening and professional practices.
Further Reading:
- Bellersen, M. and Kohlmann, I. (2019): Intervision: Dialogue Methods in Action Learning
- Brinkmann, R. (2002): Intervision — A Training Book for Peer Consulting in Practice
- Lippmann, E. (2013): Intervision — Professionally Designing Peer Coaching