How can you quickly get a group of people to self-organize to share everything they know about agile/lean software or any topic? Serve lean coffee. This talk provides an overview of how lean coffee was started, how you can run a lean coffee discussion, and some tips for serving.

1. How to start a community of
learning with Lean Coffee
Mark Kilby
October 3, 2013

2. Mark Kilby
Enterprise Agile Coach
Mark@LeadingAgile.com
Mark@markkilby.com
@mkilby– twitter
http://markkilby.com
Software since 1990;
Coaching since 2003
AgileOrlando.com co-founder

3. Purpose today is to…
Understand what
people know
(or want to learn)
in your “community”

4. Benefit(s)
• Help those eager to learn
• Find expertise and stories to share
• Calm those nervous about change
• (perhaps) Start a new community

5. Agenda
1. What is a learning community?
2. What’s the simplest way to start a
learning community?
3. Tips for serving Lean Coffee

6. LEARNING COMMUNITY?
What is a

7. A Learning Community is…
A group of people who share common
emotions, values, or beliefs, and are:
• actively engaged
• in learning together from each other,
• and by habituation.

8. SIMPLEST WAY TO START
A LEARNING
COMMUNITY?
What is the

9. From http://www.nonformalii.ro/uploads/files/open-space-principles.jpg

10. But how can I provide “open space”?
• In one hour (or less)?
• With little notice ?
• Without a “theme” or a plan?
• As often as possible?
• Where everyone can learn AND
share?

11. Do you have?

12. LEAN COFFEE
• Started by Jim Benson (personal
kanban) and Jeremy Lightsmith in
Seattle 2009
• Didn’t want to start a cumbersome
organization
• Lean Coffee still meets every week
• See other cities at LeanCoffee.org
and Meetup.com

13. Yum!

14. SERVING LEAN COFFEE
Tips for

15. Tips for serving
(1) Pick a unique venue
(different & safe to share)
(2) Have a 1-2 week rhythm
(3) Have someone
experienced present, but
don’t have them do all the
talking
(4) More tips and info at
markkilby.com

16. You can do this distributed too…
Using Google Drive so
everyone can
edit/vote/take notes

17. Mark Kilby
Enterprise Agile Coach
Mark@LeadingAgile.com
Mark@markkilby.com
@mkilby– twitter
http://markkilby.com
Or, please join us for
Lean Coffee Orlando
every other Friday
(check AgileOrlando.com)
Time to serve your own Lean Coffee
Now serve your own Lean Coffee
to start building your community