Why Agile is So Hard

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Why Agile is So Hard by: Traci Lepore @traciuxd | #agileishard

description

BIg Design 2014 presentation on how agile can learn from improvisational theater.

Transcript of Why Agile is So Hard

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Why Agile is So Hardby: Traci Lepore

@traciuxd | #agileishard

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Working in an agile environment can make you want to bang your head against a wall.

How do we get through to the other side of the wall?

I get it!

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Don’t ask how to make agile easier,ask why agile is hard in the first place!

Stop asking the wrong question.

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Don’t ask how to make agile easier,ask why agile is hard in the first place!

So why is agile like herding cats?

Instead of building on natural instincts, we approach agile in a way that resists them and can set us up for unnecessary challenges.

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And as so we are:• Logical• Perfectionists• Comfort Cravers

Agile asks us to step outside our comfort zone

We are only human

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We misinterpret the core fundamentals of improv• A vision is required• Pacing must be maintained• We must accept failure• We need to collaborate

Broken sink? Concerned face?

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You MUST have a VISION

#agileishard

The only way to ensure you have a coherent story in the end is to have a vision to start

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The iterations are the building blocks that get us there• Set a theme• Put the pieces together to

make sure they work• Define the connection points

between blocks

The vision tells us what we need to achieve

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It’s OK for the vision to evolve• Make sure to adjust as goals and

constraints change • Be responsive, not rigid, in how

you manage your vision

Don’t set it and forget it!

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Don’t set it and forget it!

It’s OK for the vision to evolve• Make sure to adjust as goals and

constraints change • Be responsive, not rigid, in how

you manage your vision

Pace must be RIGOROUSLY maintained

Without a smooth, rapid pace and rhythm, momentum is lost and you will fall down.

#agileishard

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Don’t break the flow• Allowing down time means you

may overthink things• Slowing down will distract you

into the weeds

Keep your eye on the prize

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OK, not fruit loops really, but…• Small enough rounds to not be

overwhelming or slow things down• Allow for detailed thought on

focused areas so things don’t fall through the cracks

Iterations need to be small, digestible loops

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Feedback should be constant• Continuous iteration and

improvement requires feedback• This allows us to change path

quickly if something isn’t working and try ideas

Always be listening to hear the next step

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The ability to quickly try and reject ideas is the beauty of an iterative and improvisational process

#agileishard

Learn to EMBRACE FAILURE

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Human nature desires perfection

But agile succeeds through failure• Moving quickly in iteration lets us

test multiple ideas • We let go the ones that don’t work

and keep the ones that truly do

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Learn to validate and reject• Share ideas early, they don’t

have to be perfect• Use this as an opportunity to

quickly validate what ideas work and which don’t

Share ideas early and often

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We think failure is “bad”• If 10 bad ideas leads to leads to the 1

innovative idea – that is SUCCESS!• Think about how your failures led to

your success instead• We learn and grow by experiences

Negative energy hurts iteration

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#agileishard

Collaboration is a TEAM EFFORT

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You are not the lead or lone wolf• Agile means lots of face time• More talk, less documentation

Face-to-face is the only way to collaborate

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Agile requires an ensemble, not a team

We all share the same goal• We need to understand ourselves

and each other to succeed• An ensemble always continues to

work on communication and shared language

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Let’s recap….

Four fundamental principles of improv:• You need a vision• You must maintain the pace• Learn to accept failure• We must collaborate

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#agileishard

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Be a risk taker

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Make sure you have a shared vision

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Let go and

lose control

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Get your ducks in a row!

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Because Agile requires a better version of ourselves. But, it is a totally achievable goal!

So why is agile so hard?

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Find more at Uxmatters.com | @traciuxd | slideshare.net/treygd