A. Have managers assign the necessary skills on the team members’ development plans
B. Have team members pair together when working on stories
C. Have the Scrum Master deliver skills training
D. Define stories that need cross-functional skills for the team to implement
E. Have teams swamp one of their members every other iteration for cross-training
Correct Answer is
B. Have team members pair together when working on stories
C. Define stories that need cross-functional skills for the team to implement
Explanation
Two ways to develop T-shaped skills effectively are:
- Have team members pair together when working on stories: Pairing team members on stories, especially those with different areas of expertise, encourages knowledge sharing and skill development across different disciplines. This hands-on approach allows team members to learn from each other while contributing to the work, fostering a deeper understanding of different aspects of the project and broadening their skill sets beyond their primary area of expertise.
- Define stories that need cross-functional skills for the team to implement: By crafting stories that require cross-functional skills, team members are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and engage with aspects of the work they might not typically handle. This method naturally promotes the development of broader skill sets, as team members must collaborate closely and potentially acquire new skills to meet the story’s requirements successfully.
Here’s why the other options are less effective or not recommended:
- Have managers assign the necessary skills on the team members’ development plans: While managers need to support skill development, merely assigning skills for team members to develop on their own may not be as effective without providing a practical, engaging context for learning. Development plans are useful, but active engagement in skill development through work is more impactful.
- Have the Scrum Master deliver skills training: While Scrum Masters can certainly facilitate learning and may sometimes deliver training, relying solely on them for skills training may not cover the breadth of T-shaped skills development needed within a team. The Scrum Master’s role is more about coaching and removing impediments than direct training. Peer learning and hands-on application of skills in the context of actual work are generally more effective.
- Have teams swamp one of their members every other iteration for cross-training: The term is likely meant to be “swap,” but even so, frequently rotating team members purely for the sake of cross-training can disrupt the team’s workflow and cohesion. Teams need to maintain a stable composition to build trust and efficiency. While temporary rotations can be beneficial for learning, they should be handled carefully and with clear objectives, not as a routine disruption.
Focusing on pair programming and defining cross-functional stories are practical, integrated approaches that not only encourage the development of T-shaped skills but also foster collaboration and a shared understanding of the project among team members.
