project coaching

Coaching, or mentoring, is the interactive transfer of knowledge from an expert practitioner to members of a software project team. But expert knowledge of a subject is not sufficient to teach others how to appropriate this knowledge for themselves. Evanetics has proven coaching experience with iterative software projects of all types. Our mentors are masters at conveying technical information in a manner that is accessible for every member of the project. We are adamant that mentors must be skilled practitioners as well as skilled teachers.

Coaching and formal training are not substitutes for each other; they complement each other. A team who have completed formal training invariably stumble in their initial attempts to apply on their project what they learned in the classroom. A competent mentor can prevent the confusion and rework that inevitably results on the first or second project with new technology. Conversely, a team who are mentored without prior training force the mentor to teach the same required concepts and practices again and again, individually to each member of the team. This inertia is significant on any project in which members do not appropriate a common vision and knowledge base together.

Evanetics' coaching can be a cost-effective option for you:

If you need specific expertise now.

A coach, or mentor, can fill a gap on your project until an employee can be hired. Or, the mentor can provide the needed side-by-side training for the employee you have chosen to fill a critical position on your team, such as Project Manager, Architect, or Lead Modeler. Because they bring expert skills, a mentor is productive the day they walk in. Because a mentor is more than a contractor, your team will immediately start to appropriate the knowledge transfer that defines a mentor.

If you need expertise for a temporary period.

You may lack only a skill set needed for a short-term on your project. A mentor can bring this skill set to your team, and the mentor can be released when she has attained the goals you set. In this scenario, the mentor is a short-term asset, not a long-term expense.

If you have a team who are too busy to train themselves in a needed practice or technology.

Your team members are already working on at least one product line. Their days are fully occupied with meeting deadlines for bug-fixes, maintenance releases, attending required meetings, and fighting a dozen production fires a day. It is clear to you that only a small fraction of your people invest in self-training in their personal time, so most of your team probably are not even aware of new practices. You have probably learned that buying them books doesn't mean they will read them. An Evanetics coach will bring new skills and a new vision of development to your team by working with them, side-by-side, eight or more hours each day. When your team "live" the process with a coach, they learn by doing and succeeding. And they get motivated.

If you are considering engaging a project coach, or if you want to know more about the required skills for an effective coach or mentor, we would be happy to informally discuss your needs. Contact us and let's roll up our sleeves together to discuss your goals.