Essentials of Agile

Elements in Common with Robert H. Schaffer, Rapid Results Methods

(excerpted from Agile Project Management with Scrum (Microsoft Professional) Ken Schwaber, 2004 and Robert Schaffer’s writing from 1985 to 2004)

1.    An answer to Big Bang, Waterfall project problems.

2.    Break project into 30 to 90-day chunks – small teams of people close to the work.

2.1  Series of 90 day, rapid results projects used to change the culture, move toward the desired big changes.

3.    Engage business people by solving high-value business problems in 30-90 days.  Actually put into production.

4.    Joint worker / customer-first focus.

5.    Well planned team meetings, work sessions.  Input from all, obligation to dissent, listen, follow.

6.    Owners, accountability for completing actions

7.    Help the business people discover and communicate requirements / what they need, best solutions within available time.

8.    Some autonomy for team, decisions close to the work

9.    High value work drives out lower value

10.  Fact-based, Deming (Crosby) approach:  Study, experiment, measure results, adopt.

11.  Big Cautions:

11.1.              Process implications:  undefined, continually changing

11.2.              Can’t afford to do it right – want juice without the squeeze

11.3.              Contain the iterations

11.4.              Scope management

11.5           Watch factors beyond our control:  e.g. all people and money absorbed by big SAP financial implementation

11.6.              User and executive sponsor support, participation, funding, buy-in

11.7.              Managing architecture, framework, software supported – longer term

11.8           Worker / Customer-first stays top priority

TOM INGRAM AND ASSOCIATES, INC. 972-394-5736  tom@tomingraminc.com