Obeya coming through! Engaging an Agile Style.
Here we are, the Obeya Association, adding a new (and yet old!) concept to the Agile stage. This is what Bart Bongers and Dolf Reijnders have been doing since 2020, when they founded the Obeya Association. Both were captivated by a now-familiar Obeya spark that many in our community are drawn to. Starting from scratch, they gathered an international group that recognized Obeya as a potent solution to the challenges businesses face in grasping complexity.
What is Obeya?
Let’s first introduce the term Obeya. The word may ring a bell. “Obeya” originates from Japan and means “big room.” In short, an Obeya is a physical or virtual space where teams share information, collaborate, and make decisions. Data, facts, and progress are displayed on walls so that everyone can quickly see the status. However, just having such a space isn’t enough. Obeya also supports, fosters, and grows a mindset and way of working that leads to positive change.
Many case examples show Obeya to be an answer to the need to link strategy and execution, break down silos, promote transparency, and make collaboration a key success factor. All of this perfectly aligns with the Agile approach and mindset. It is no surprise that many Agile coaches, leads, and managers expand their expertise as Obeya practitioners.
Obeya Summit
When Bart and Dolf started the Obeya Association, Covid was still limiting events to online formats. That is why the first two editions were held virtually. Once the gates reopened, the first live edition was held in November 2023, followed by a second live edition a year later with close to 300 participants.
Apart from being a great success on all occasions (of course 😉), the evolution of the Summit mainly demonstrates how the field of Obeya is expanding as well.
Setting the Scene
What we love most is bringing people together with content in a bit of a party vibe. The whole event is designed to connect and engage attendees. From the Playground to the Experience Deck, with a DJ playing beats from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, to the thoughtfully curated goodie bags and interactive visual elements—everything mirrors the Obeya philosophy: open, visual, and optimized for collaboration.
Having the buzz of conversations build, blending diverse voices from industries spanning technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and more, is truly invigorating. Attendees come as executives, coaches, and team leaders, all drawn to Obeya and how it can be used to solve the pressing challenges organizations face.
The Stories that Shaped the Day
The Obeya Summit provides a stage for both plenary keynote speakers and community members sharing their expertise, experience, and knowledge during breakout sessions. With a lineup of international presenters featuring equal numbers of male and female speakers, we are proud to showcase three keynote speakers who are Shingo Research Award-winning authors. These pioneers have worked in the field of visual management long before Obeya entered the management realm.
“It’s not just a tool; Obeya is much more and yet a part of the organizational system. It’s about bringing everything—and everyone—into a shared space where we can see the whole picture.”
Hands-On Learning and Workshops
Breakout sessions brought theory into practice, from tools and techniques to people-centered topics such as psychological safety and the flow of information to real case studies.
For many, the “aha” moments came during these sessions. It was energizing to see attendees leave these workshops inspired to implement these practices in their own organizations.
The Power of Connection
Beyond the structured sessions, the most valuable moments often happen in informal conversations over coffee or lunch. Attendees found themselves discussing shared struggles: teams working in silos, leaders overwhelmed by data, or misaligned goals stalling progress.
Community is everything: “I came here looking for a framework, but I’m leaving with a network. The insights I’ve gained from peers are just as valuable as the tools we’ve learned.”
Reflections and Takeaways
The Obeya Summit wasn’t just an event—it is a driving force in a movement focused on positive change.
As we packed up the final visual boards and folded the chairs, we couldn’t help but feel excited for the future. The stories we heard, the connections that were made, and the insights shared will ripple through the organizations represented at the Summit. Obeya is not a one-time fix; it’s a way of thinking and working that evolves as we do.
For those who attended, and for those who will join us in future Obeya Summits, this is just the beginning. Together, we’re not just solving problems—we’re building something greater, one Obeya at a time!
Organizing the Obeya Summit: Insights and Challenges
Obeya is all about continuous improvement and learning. So are we. This year we introduced more than 10 small to big experiments, ranging from selling Obeya merchandise (books, t-shirts, and sweaters) to new ways of engaging with our partners, such as a Partner Suite where partners could meet their clients and a Discovery Lounge for quieter, more relaxed learning and connecting.
Biggest Challenges: Organizing the Obeya Summit poses unique challenges, from ensuring the venue reflects the collaborative spirit and party vibe to aligning a diverse group of speakers and attendees in a new knowledge field. With two keynote rounds and three breakout rounds (covering a total of 14 breakout sessions), managing the logistics of transitions between sessions, keynotes, and networking moments required meticulous planning.
Theme and Topic Selection: This year we introduced a Call for Presenters so members from our community could submit proposals for breakout sessions. Together with a Summit Presenter Committee, we selected and guided the presenters throughout their preparations. All presenters also wrote an article about their session prior to the Summit. This approach not only helped presenters set up their sessions but also allowed us to promote their content in advance.
Standout Moments: Seeing attendees laugh and connect organically over shared meals was deeply rewarding. The buzz of people and the live jam session initiated by community members—it is amazing what happens when you form a group of people who feel at home.
Feedback: Like any event, there is always room for improvement. The good news, people want more! A two-day Summit, more in-depth sessions, and more time and space for networking are common suggestions. There was great appreciation for the interactive sessions and the diversity of perspectives. Expanded networking opportunities, creating a more neurodiverse friendly environment and introducing other existing communities are in our future plans.
Impact on the Agile Community: The Summit fostered a deeper understanding of Obeya principles, empowering attendees to drive transformation within their organizations. Many attendees are Agile coaches, leads, or managers. Obeya is a perfect way to sustain the Agile spirit. The cross-industry dialogue enriched the collective knowledge and perfectly complements the Agile mindset.
By Jacobien Vermande, Obeya Coach and Community & Event Manager at the Obeya Association
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobien-vermande/
Video to the event aftermovie: https://youtu.be/7G4Xlt7r3qY
