Lars Wagner, Project Manager in Brussels, Belgium
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Lars Wagner

Verified Expert  in Project Management

Bio

Lars is an accomplished senior agile coach with various certifications in coaching and Agile management methodologies. He worked as a scrum master and agile and leadership coach in the banking and tech industries, using the OKR, Obeya, Katas, design thinking, LeSS, and SAFe approaches to drive organizational change. Lars excels in coaching senior leaders to thrive personally and become agile professionals, aiding both individuals and organizations in their agile journey.

Project Highlights

OKRs Introduction in Business Banking
Introduced OKRs as a leadership system in a business banking department.
Obeya Setup in Business Banking
Introduced the concept and usage of an Obeya room as a management system.
Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Implementation
Introduced and established the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) in a business unit.

Expertise

  • Agile
  • Agile Coaching
  • Coaching
  • Executive Coaching
  • Facilitation
  • Lean
  • Objectives & Key Results (OKRs)
  • Scrum

Work Experience

Senior Agile Coach

2022 - PRESENT
Proximus
  • Set up an Obeya room, which enabled a 360° view of strategy, portfolio, OKRs, and risks.
  • Implemented Agile practices in a product management department focusing on the organizing around the flow principle.
  • Used the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) in software design and maturation.

Agile Coach and Senior Leadership Coach

2018 - 2022
ING Belgium
  • Worked with an Obeya approach, getting a 360° view of strategy, portfolio, OKRs, and risks to support continuous improvement and quarterly planning.
  • Built high-performing teams through effective facilitation and coaching techniques.
  • Introduced OKRs as a management concept, integrating it into an Obeya framework.

Senior Agile Coach

2016 - 2017
RBC
  • Introduced the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) in a new business unit.
  • Synchronized the SAFe planning interval (PI) across different Agile Release Trains.
  • Trained scrum masters and product owners in the Agile and SAFe methodologies.

Scrum Master and Agile Coach

2010 - 2016
Proximus
  • Implemented the Scrum framework in a pilot project targeting training and facilitation.
  • Rolled out Scrum from one team to an entire department.
  • Established an Enterprise Scrum (ES) team to implement and scale Scrum and Agile methodologies companywide.

Project History

OKRs Introduction in Business Banking

Introduced OKRs as a leadership system in a business banking department.

In a department with 120 people distributed across 14 teams, I introduced OKRs as a concept. I first trained people on using OKRs and facilitated OKR definitions and follow-ups. This helped gain clarity over the target goals and the current situation.

Obeya Setup in Business Banking

Introduced the concept and usage of an Obeya room as a management system.

By establishing an Obeya room, we achieved a 360° view of strategy, portfolio, OKRs, risks, and impediments. I set up an initial visual Obeya room and established a process for updating data. I also facilitated the ceremonies to make data-based collective decisions.

Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Implementation

Introduced and established the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) in a business unit.

I first trained people in the Agile, Scrum, and SAFe approaches. Then, I established the relevant ceremonies, facilitated the sessions, introduced PI planning, and established continuous improvements, ensuring the teams would become independent and self-sufficient moving forward with the newly established processes and procedures.

Education

1992 - 1999

Master's Degree in Economics, Business and IT

University of Wuppertal - Wuppertal, Germany

Certifications

JUNE 2022 - PRESENT

Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

International Coaching Federation

APRIL 2022 - PRESENT

Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) Fundamentals

CRR Global

JANUARY 2022 - PRESENT

Integral Master Coach

Integral Coaching Canada

AUGUST 2019 - PRESENT

Leadership Circle Profile Certification (LCPC)

Leadership Circle

JANUARY 2018 - PRESENT

Training from the BACK of the Room Certified Trainer

Bowperson

AUGUST 2017 - PRESENT

Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II)

Scrum.org

JULY 2016 - PRESENT

Certified LeSS Practitioner

The LeSS Company

JANUARY 2015 - PRESENT

SAFe Program Consultant

Scaled Agile Inc.

JANUARY 2015 - PRESENT

ISTQB Agile Tester Extension

ISTQB — International Software Testing Qualifications Board

DECEMBER 2014 - PRESENT

PRINCE2 Foundation

APMG International

JANUARY 2012 - PRESENT

Lego Strategic Play Facilitator

Strategic Play

JANUARY 2009 - PRESENT

Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)

Scrum Alliance

JANUARY 2009 - PRESENT

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Scrum Alliance

JANUARY 2008 - PRESENT

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Scrum Alliance

Skills

Tools

Zoom, Miro, MURAL, Jira

Paradigms

Scrum, Agile, Agile Software Development, Design Thinking, Kanban, Lean, Software Testing, Microservices

Industry Expertise

Banking & Finance, Telecommunications

Platforms

iObeya

Other

Coaching, Training, Agile Coaching, Scaling, Scrum Master, Facilitation, Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Mindfulness, Lean Startups, Lean IT, Teams, Operational Assessments, Less, Agile Software Testing, IT Projects, Project Management, Contract Testing, Scrum Coaching, Leadership & Coaching, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), PI Planning

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