Many leaders assume that adding more people to a team will increase output, yet in practice the dynamics are rarely that straightforward.
Speaker
Mark Devis
Agenda
6:00pm - Welcome
6:05pm Opening messages from Chair
6:10pm Teams as Complex Systems: How to Lead When Everything Interacts with Mark Devis
7:00pm - Questions and answers
7:20pm - SG & related BCS updates
7:25pm - Wrap up & Close
Synopsis
Many leaders assume that adding more people to a team will simply increase output, yet in practice the dynamics are rarely that straightforward.
This session explores why teams behave as complex systems, where interactions, habits and hidden constraints shape outcomes far more than headcount or planning.
Mark will introduce simple concepts from complexity thinking, including a light touch overview of the Cynefin framework, to help attendees understand what is really happening in their environment without needing deep theory.
We'll look at how enabling constraints and small experiments can be used to influence behaviour and improve the conditions in which teams operate.
Mark will share insights from working with multiple teams at scale, showing how this perspective can shift conversations and uncover meaningful opportunities for change.
About the speaker
Mark Devis is a Principal Consultant at Create/Change, helping large, complex organisations understand what they are actually optimised for, and then change it.
Over 14 years he has worked across agile delivery, engineering management, product ownership and organisational coaching, including at Jet2, Sky and Fujitsu. His work draws on value flow, systems thinking and Cynefin. He holds PSM III and SAFe Advanced SPC certifications.
Mark is an active part of the agile community, contributing to Agile Yorkshire and sitting on the review panels for Agile Cambridge, Agile Manchester and Lean Agile Scotland.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
This meeting is conducted in accordance with the BCS Code of Conduct for Meetings.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today
Please note, if you have any accessibility needs, please let us know via groups@bcs.uk, and we’ll work with you to make suitable arrangements.
BCS privacy notice: your data will be processed by BCS in accordance with our data privacy notice.
Photography: by attending this event, you may be photographed or filmed. Please speak to a member of staff if you do not wish to be included.
This event is brought to you by: Agile Methods specialist group