Case Study: Applying Professional Scrum Training at MDA

Executive Summary

This white paper details the impact and outcomes of the Scrum.org Applying Professional Scrum (APS) training at MDA. Key findings indicate improved team collaboration, reduced project timelines, and increased overall productivity and team satisfaction.

Introduction

MDA Space Ltd., founded in 1969 and headquartered in Brampton, Canada, is a prominent player in the global space industry, operating through three segments: Geointelligence, Robotics and Space Operations, and Satellite Systems.

The primary goal of the Applying Professional Scrum training at MDA was to enhance the company’s agile capabilities, improve project management efficiency, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. By training over 180 team members in professional Scrum practices, MDA aimed to streamline operations, reduce project timelines, and significantly boost overall productivity and team satisfaction.

Training Program Overview

Program Description

The Applying Professional Scrum (APS) training at MDA was designed to provide foundational Scrum knowledge in a highly practical and immersive way. MDA sought this training to address challenges related to:

Project management inefficiencies.

Communication gaps between teams.

The need for a consistent Agile approach across departments.

Objectives of the Training:

Streamline processes.

Enhance cross-functional collaboration.

Foster a culture of continuous improvement.

The course combined instruction with team-based exercises, where participants worked in Scrum Teams over a series of Sprints. This hands-on approach ensured that attendees could apply Scrum concepts in a controlled environment, facilitating a deeper understanding and retention of the material, all while directly tackling the organization’s specific pain points.

Implementation

Training Delivery

The Applying Professional Scrum training at MDA was executed with careful planning and coordination to maximize impact and participation. Initially, leaders from various departments (electrical, mechanical, software) were invited to the training in order to plant seeds and inspire, followed by leader and employee groups. The presence of leaders underpinned and inspired the idea of sustained change at work.

The training was structured to ensure that all team members, regardless of their previous experience with Scrum, could engage meaningfully and gain valuable insights.

Delivery Format

Virtual: The training was conducted online to allow all participants to join the sessions regardless of their location and to ensure maximum flexibility. This virtual format facilitated seamless interaction and active participation, even remotely.

Small Groups: Participants were divided into groups of 20 for focused discussions on Scrum-related topics and practical activities tailored to each group. This small-group approach ensured personalized attention and specific guidance from the trainer.

Interactive Tools: Minecraft for Education and Miro were used to simulate Scrum principles in immersive environments. By simulating Scrum practices in this environment, participants experience the iterative process and collaborative nature of Scrum in an engaging way. The immersive nature of the training tools encouraged participants to engage as they would in their actual work environments, allowing them to experience and practice Scrum principles realistically. This approach helped ensure that the skills and behaviors learned could be seamlessly applied back on the job.

After the training sessions, continuous support was provided through follow-up meetings and Q&A sessions to address any challenges and reinforce learning.

Schedule and Duration

The training program spanned several months, involving more than 180+ participants. The initial courses included MDA’s leadership corps, ensuring top-level buy-in and support for the Scrum initiatives. This extended and staggered approach allowed teams to apply their new skills to real projects immediately, solidifying the learning experience and promoting sustainable change.

If you are interested in private group training or need a customized training program in leadership and agility, contact us.

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Results and Impact

Training Outcomes

The Applying Professional Scrum training at MDA yielded significant improvements in both team performance and project outcomes:

Enhanced team collaboration.

Improved project timelines.

Increased productivity.

Higher satisfaction levels among employees.

Definition of Done

One of the major improvements for the teams was the ability to agree on a Definition of Done. This led to more:

Clarity: Having a Definition of Done provides a clear and shared understanding of what is expected to be completed by the team for each user story or task. This helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Accountability: It helps to hold team members accountable for their work by clearly outlining the criteria that need to be met for a task to be considered complete. This encourages team members to take ownership of their work and ensures that tasks are completed to a high standard.

Quality: The Definition of Done sets a standard for the quality of work that is expected from the team. By adhering to this standard, the team can ensure that the final product meets the requirements and is of high quality.

Transparency: Having a Definition of Done promotes transparency within the team by making the criteria for completion visible to everyone. This helps to foster open communication and collaboration among team members.

Continuous improvement: The Definition of Done can be used as a tool for continuous improvement by identifying areas where the team can improve and setting goals for future iterations. This allows the team to learn from their mistakes and make adjustments to their processes to deliver better results in the future.

Customer satisfaction: By ensuring that all tasks meet the Definition of Done, the team can deliver a high-quality product that meets the needs and expectations of the customer. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Moreover, participants provided positive feedback on the training, highlighting the practical applications and the engaging teaching methods. The use of Minecraft for Education was particularly appreciated for its innovative approach to demonstrating Scrum principles:

Lessons Learned

Challenges

Some teams were initially skeptical, but continuous support and reinforcement of Scrum values helped overcome this. Virtual delivery posed coordination challenges, which were mitigated through structured follow-ups and effective use of collaboration tools.

Success Factors

The use of interactive tools like Minecraft for Education kept participants engaged and facilitated better learning.

Ongoing support and follow-up sessions ensured that the principles learned were effectively applied in practice.

Conclusion

The Applying Professional Scrum training at MDA has had a profound impact on the organization’s operations, enhancing efficiency, productivity, and team satisfaction. By equipping their teams with professional Scrum knowledge, MDA has positioned itself for continued success in its ambitious projects and initiatives.

For more details about the training, visit the Applying Professional Scrum course page.