Agile User Group Zambia Anniversary! A Review of the Past Year
Hello friends, we took some time off in the last month of 2022 and the first month of 2023. During this time we reviewed the past year’s events, our wins, and lessons.
We also hit a milestone! We turned ONE!
The Agile User Support Group Zambia (AUSGZ) launched in February 2022, and it has been such an incredible journey of learning and growth. Our journey is only 1% done, we celebrate our past success and look forward to doing even better this year.
Here is a recap of how we started
The User Group started through social connection. Three passionate ladies, Suwilo Chanda, Pendo Manjele, and Nchimunya Kabunda who had never met in person but interacted on various virtual forums decided to navigate the state of Agility in the Zambian workspace. Our discovery was that we were not on this quest alone.
We shared our story and found partners that were willing to embark on this quest with us and through the partnerships we hosted 9 successful meetups.
Here is a throwback of the meetups hosted in 2022
Meetup #1: Transitioning to Agility: Unpacking the Agile Landscape in Zambia
Special thanks to Yaza Kara (Head of Innovation & partnership projects) and Silumesii Maboshe (Co-founder & director at Bongohive) who joined us for our launch meetup.
Meetup #2: Agile/Devops/Kanban/Scrum — Exploring the differences
Our amazing co-founders Suwilo Chanda, Pendo Manjele, and Nchimunya took over the second meetup to unpack Agile, DevOps, and Scrum.
Meetup #3: Devops in Practice: Lessons from the trenches
Special thanks to Christopher Chileshe (co-founder at the Zig) for joining us and sharing DevOps best practices based on experience with some of the teams he has worked with and at the Zig too.
Meetup # 4: Digital transformation in high performing teams: A Case study- ACCA Zambia
Special thanks to Janice Matwi (Country Head of ACCA Global-Zambia) for joining us and sharing their digital transformation journey for high-performing teams.
Meetup #5: Learning To Be Agile in Your Teams and Work Environment
Special thanks to Patricia Sheehan for joining us and sharing how Agility can be enabled within teams for success.
Meetup #6: Fundamentals of Agile Project Management
Special thanks to Mayase Jere who joined us and shared about the building blocks of enabling agility within teams.
Meetup #7: Zambian Lean Coffee — Ask us anything
Special thanks to the entire Agile User Support Group members for joining this open conversation and sharing their individual agile experiences.
Meetup #8: Agility in Data Analytics
Special thanks to one of our co-founders, Pendo Manjele for sharing insights on Agility in Data Analytics drives results.
Meetup #9: Human Resources as a key enabler of Business Agility
Special thanks to Biase De Gregorio for joining us and sharing insights on how enabling Agility in Human Resources contributes to business success and transformation.
Six Lessons learned
We would not do this article any justice without sharing some of the lessons learned. Below are some of the lessons we learned over the last year:
- No one size fits all. Different thought leaders shared their different experiences, which worked for them and did not work for others. But you can only discover what works for you by trying out different ways and learning from others.
- Agile is not just a buzzword, it’s a mindset.
- Leverage your Community.
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. — African proverb
4. There is power in the diversity of thoughts and experiences.
5. Your experiences are valuable, share them.
6. Feedback is golden
More Gratitude
The Agile User Support group Team is very grateful to all our amazing speakers who selflessly showed up and shared their vast knowledge and experiences with the community.
This would have not been possible without you
Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much. — Helen Keller
Special gratitude to the members of the Agile community from every corner of the continent and beyond. We loved having each one of you, your support and contributions were immeasurably valuable.
We look forward to a great 2023.
What Next? Looking ahead into 2023
Tapping from our lessons in 2022 our focus is to continue growing the community and provide as much information on Business Agility, Agile certifications, and Agile communities anyone can join and create smaller communities that can organize themselves.
Our Journey continues! We are only 1% done!
How to Join the community
You can join our community here and stay updated with the events scheduled.
You can also connect with us on linkedin here.
