Training
Avansys principals have over 20 years of experience with hands-on innovation and product development. We have derived a body of knowledge focused on both user-centered development methodologies such as lean start-up and design thinking, and the governance models needed to scale such methodologies inside large organizations. Our latest focus is on developing a body of knowledge for lean government acquisitions to match the pace and mindset of modern product development. We have delivered executive education courses as part of the Executive Education track at George Mason University Business School.
Lean Government Acquisitions
We explore the implications of the latest product development methodologies for acquisitions management. Read our 2022 article on lean government acquisitions here.
Our lean acquisitions training focuses on explaining how modern product development methodologies (lean start-up, rapid prototyping, design thinking) fit into the larger "as-a-service" technology delivery models. As part of our training, we introduce two Avansys developed concepts that enable adaptive development: "self-contained" technology stacks and "self-correcting" development teams are introduced. We then explore the impact of these adaptive development mechanisms to various acquisition governance functional areas, including affordability, investment analysis, risk, testing. The typical audience for this type of training are government executives, contracting officer, program managers and technical leads. The training format is tailored to the specific needs of a particular audience, tailored to cater to individual issues and organizational missions.
Design Thinking and Lean Practices
Our understanding of design thinking and learn practices extends beyond the "how". By understanding "why" design thinking works, we provide a lasting learning experience.
Many practitioners teach design thinking by focusing on the "how": they take the trainees through the process itself. Avansys believes that also understanding "why" design thinking works provides a deeper and longer lasting learning experience. We highlight the complexity and agile aligned mechanisms that make design thinking so effective: democratic, bottom-up ideation, emergent problem space framing, iterative solution convergence.
Complexity and Systems Thinking
We boil down abstract concepts into actionable insights and tools for tackling every day problems.
Complexity and systems thinking are difficult to grasp and even more difficult to master. We translate abstract concepts into effective every day tools for managing fluid environments and high uncertainty scenarios. We explain the mechanisms underlying popular culture concepts, such as Nassim Taleb's antifragility.
Adaptive Management and Resiliency
We teach the mental models and behavioral pattern that underly the agile family of modern management methods.
Agile software development, lean start-up, rapid development and prototyping are all part of an adaptive mindset designed to withstand rapid change and uncertainty. These methods, and even the underlying principles such as spelled our in the "Agile manifesto" are less important than the mental patterns and attitudes for engaging high uncertainty, fluid environments. While a mindset cannot be taught, mental archetypes and behavioral attitudes for proactively engaging ill-defined problems that lack best practice can be effectively relayed. We combine expertise with real world experience to convey proven approaches for managing effectively in highly dynamic situations.