Sow the Seeds of Agile

  Agile   Manufacturing   ProjectsAtWork  

Does the process of scaling Agile in large organizations destroy its value? What can be done when its principles clash with corporate culture? Applying simple rules that reinforce Agile values can sow seeds of change and produce far-reaching results. Let’s explore, including suggestions from Diana Larsen and Esther Derby.

When we talk about scaling “Agile” are we thinking of economies of scale? What picture comes to mind? Is it one that involves “building” or “manufacturing”? Although these mental models are sometimes useful, they may do more harm than good when it comes to Agile adoption.

If we are “building” an Agile organization, then we may be thinking of processes, technology, and people as construction materials. And if we are treating people as material, then we draw perilously close to violating a fundamental Agile tenant — that the source of all value comes from thinking, breathing, creating people. This is in stark contrast to the idea that value is extracted from people in the form of labor. Labor abstracted as a fungible asset is a cornerstone of our manufacturing legacy. We optimize the value of people by applying economies of scale that allow us to achieve the lowest possible unit cost for their labor.  

Too much of a traditional production mentality may head managers towards a “values …

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