May 23
Unbiased Agile
I see from agile surveys, experience talking to other coaches and information from talks that I go to that there are a few problems with agile. I highlighted some in an article a few years ago.
There is also a pattern of organisations defaulting to well marketed, popular frameworks and tools by default without stopping first to think what they want from agile, what frameworks are most suitable, what adjustments need to be made and what tooling can support this. This isn’t helped by big consultancies favouring a framework led approach from a very limited choice of frameworks rather than adopting a culture led approach with people at the centre.
The other problem with frameworks is that they often assume you have validated which framework to use and are up and running with the framework already — typically they describe the static state with the framework in place and people trained. The earlier stages around the pre-framework set up, the more transformational activities around organisational complexity, the assessment of needs and what framework (if any) might be best is often absent.
Principles before frameworks
To try and reduce premature anchoring bias around the agile apex predators, I’m summarising a few principles here backed up by further data, reading, references and practices in a framework neutral way focussed around people, process and data.
The principles are now available at Unbiased Agile Principles (I will host a copy on https://www.unbiasedagile.com in due course)
If you’ve seen the popular video by Simon Sinek “Start with why” (approx 58 million views), here’s how this approach relates to his golden circle of Why, How, What — I have added Who to this as I believe we it’s better to start with people.
Who — Who is leading, who are the communities of leaders and what is expected of them to create the why of purpose. Who are our customers?
Why — to address premature anchoring bias around the apex predators in Agile
How — the principles of unbiased agile around people, process and data
What — the supporting descriptions for each principle with references and sources to show this isn’t just many opinion — it’s based on the works of leading others in effective leadership and agile thinking.
Some early thinking in this popular post I put on LinkedIn, (over 10,000 views) led me to believe that drawing on the wisdom of others and bringing it together in a clear and simple way has value.
And of course thank you to all the leading people in agile who continue to uncover better ways to collaborate. I invite comments, we continue to learn through effective feedback.
