Bringing Agile training to your place

Our virtual Agile Professional Foundation lets you complete ICAgile-certified training from your desk.

It’s not entirely virtual though. To make sure you have everything you need, you’ll also get a physical training kit of resources, tools, treats and daily “do not open” surprises.

The pack that was sent to us made the virtual course a more engaging experience...You guys thought of everything!
Lichelle Evans

The result is a hands-on introduction to the principles and practices of Agile that lets you put what you learn into action the moment you get back to work.

I came away with a much better understanding of the Agile approach and so many useful, practical tools.
Lichelle Evans

The course runs via Zoom over four consecutive mornings (NZ time). The next session runs from 19–22 October.

To make sure everyone on the course is fully involved, we have to limit numbers, so secure your seats today.

Business Analysts and Agile: To BA or not to BA?

When business analysts come along to our Agile training, they often have questions about where the BA role fits in the Agile scheme of things.

If this is something you’ve wondered, check out this post on business analysts and Scrum. It shows that, while there’s no business analyst role in Scrum, BAs have much to offer Scrum projects. Plus it shares a selection of Scrum resources designed for BAs.

Boost turns 20

Last week we celebrated Boost’s 20th birthday. It’s been quite a ride, from a two-man team building websites and CD-ROMs, to a family of 29 taking out the award for the top team in Wellington.

Our success is down to the unique culture that has grown up at Boost. And this in turn is down, in no small part, to the vision, heart and drive of our CEO Nathan Donaldson.

If Nathan checked the newsletter before it went out, he’d have made us remove that last bit, because he sees us as a team of equals. But, of course, he doesn’t check (because he sees us as a team of equals). So thank you Nathan for creating such an awesome place to work.

Georgia joins the team

Supersub Georgia has joined us while our studio manager Yinny is on maternity leave (following the arrival of her adorable baby girl — weight 4.2kg, name yet to reveal itself).

Even though she’d been keeping tabs on Boost for a while, Georgia still found starting here a bit of culture shock. “I was surprised by the freedom we have,” she says. “I love the way I can take responsibility for my own day.”

When not trying to keep up with Rue, her “SPCA special” husky cross, she potters away with Scoff, her sideline in classic baking.

World-first government algorithm charter

New Zealand has released a world-first algorithm charter. This sets standards for the use of algorithms by public agencies. It’s basically a code of conduct for government code.

Algorithms — software and the rules that drive it — are at work in government agencies the whole time. They help agencies analyse data so they can provide better services. They help them make decisions about the services, including crucial things like who gets what. And, as with everything the public sector does, this all needs to be fair and transparent.

The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning is creating new opportunities and new risks. These tools get more powerful by the day, but many are black boxes; the way their workings are opaque, even to those who created them.

So the charter is both ahead of its time and timely.