Embracing Agile HR and Continuous Feedback
Embracing Agile HR and Continuous Feedback
Implementing regular one-on-one discussions in your game studio can boost morale and productivity. Not only do they offer timely guidance, but they also provide a forum for your talent.
The games industry thrives on constant innovation and adaptability. Our organizational strategies must reflect the same agility and innovation that defines our products. Agile HR principles, particularly Agile Performance Management and Continuous Feedback, serve as potent tools in this respect.
Agile Performance Management emphasizes ongoing dialogue about performance, setting dynamic goals, and continuous learning opportunities. It replaces the traditional once-a-year performance review with a more fluid system. This approach fits perfectly within a servant-leader and lean model, fostering transparency and a culture of constant growth.
Under Agile Performance Management, goals are set but flexible. They are expected to evolve as projects progress, reflecting the dynamic nature of game development. The focus is on creating value and promoting progress rather than simply ticking off a checklist of tasks.
This approach supports the concept of servant leadership, where leaders serve their teams by providing them with the resources and support they need to meet these dynamic goals. Leaders also take on a coaching role, helping to facilitate continuous learning and professional growth.
Moreover, feedback isn't a one-time event but a continuous process. Feedback loops are frequent and involve all team members, promoting a culture of shared learning and collective responsibility for success.
By instilling a regular, constructive feedback culture, Agile Performance Management enables teams to respond quickly to changes, improve productivity, and boost morale. It brings a significant cultural shift towards a more engaged, resilient, and high-performing team.
Practical Tips
1. Implement Regular One-on-Ones: Strive for weekly or bi-weekly sessions between your talent and their managers, emphasizing a two-way exchange of thoughts and perspectives. This dialogue should also be a safe space for candid discussions about the employee's performance, obstacles, and professional growth. Pro tip: It's best to avoid canceling one-on-one meetings. Doing so can give team members the impression that they're not a priority and may hinder their progress.
In a customer studio, one-on-ones were crucial for artists to voice their struggles with new software and receive prompt assistance. Meanwhile, another studio utilized one-on-ones to discover their programmers' curiosity in emerging technologies, resulting in fruitful explorations on AR.
2. Adopt Real-time Feedback Tools: Leverage modern HR tech to facilitate instant feedback. Using digital tools like Slack is a great way to send a quick note of appreciation, offer helpful feedback, or share ideas that might otherwise get overlooked in our busy lives. Platforms such as 15Five provide a structured way to give and receive feedback. It also has a feature for recognizing peers, fostering positivity and motivation.
A customer studio rolled out an HR solution that prompted team members to give and receive feedback after major milestones. The feedback resulted in increased engagement and a boost in team morale. Another studio successfully used an app to encourage peer-to-peer feedback, generating more discussions about new feature ideas.
3. Embrace Transparency: Sharing feedback should not be a top-down process. Encourage team members to share constructive feedback with their managers and peers. Remember, feedback should be actionable, specific, and positive.
The design team in a customer studio began holding weekly meetings where they openly shared design critiques. This feedback resulted in fewer iterations and improved quality.
Agile Performance Management and Continuous Feedback can be transformative, allowing swift alignment of team objectives and fostering a culture of continuous growth and mutual respect. Embrace feedback as an ongoing dialogue, and you'll be on the path to developing exceptional teams and groundbreaking games.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you need support integrating these insights.
