Two years ago almost to the day, I was among a group invited by Pierre Neis to answer this question:
What kind of Agile is your Agile?
I was writing Right to Left at the time, and “my kind of Agile” was already a feature of chapter 2. Here it is (the short version at least):
People collaborating over working software that is already beginning to meet needs
That’s just a starting point. To put it into practice, we work backwards from there, keeping needs and outcomes always in the foreground as we go. Understand how that “right to left”, outcomes-first kind of Agile differs both philosophically and practically from a “left to right”, backlog-driven kind of Agile – a kind that too often involves imposing process on people for the sake of mediocre results (at best) – and you’ll understand why the book needed to be written.
If you appreciate that essential difference already, you’ll enjoy the book’s singular perspective. If you don’t, you’ll find it a highly accessible introduction to the Lean-Agile landscape, one that avoids the mistake of explaining Agile in the terms of the models it seeks to replace, a mistake that undermines it every time it is made.
I opened this post with Pierre’s question of 2 years ago because I was delighted this week to speak at his invitation on “My kind of Agile” at an online meetup he hosts. In preparation I put up a new page:
In the print and e-book editions, My kind of… is Right to Left’s Appendix B. It’s a glossary of sorts, a gathering together of some informal definitions that are especially characteristic of the book. It starts with two versions (shorter and longer) of “My kind of Agile” and continues in that same vein.
If you’re listening to the new audiobook edition – out just a few days ago – the appendices aren’t included, so here you go!
Upcoming workshops (all online of course)
With yours truly unless otherwise indicated:
- 04 June, one 2-hour session, EMEA-friendly timing:
Strategic Mapping with Outcomes (EMEA) - 8-9 June, 2 days online, EMEA-friendly timing:
2-day Agendashift Deep Dive: Coaching & leading continuous transformation (EMEA)
with Mike Burrows, Kjell Tore Guttormsen, Halldor Kvale-Skattebo - 17-18 June, one 2-hour session, Americas-friendly timing:
Learning the language of outcomes (Americas) - 25 June, one 2-hour session, EMEA-friendly timing:
Stories, Hypotheses, and A3 (EMEA) - 04 August, two 2-hour sessions, EMEA-friendly timing:
Learning the language of outcomes (EMEA)
with Julia Wester
For the latest workshop and speaking events check the Agendashift events calendar.
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