Sunday, May 11, 2014

Agile - where to start?

Understanding Culture
If you ask me about the culture of running I shouldn’t start by telling you to do long slow runs on Sundays. While long runs are part of the story they are simply a practice. No, I need to give you some context by describing the values or principles of running. Maybe the idea that runners (vs. joggers) value running as a sport - beyond just fitness. Runners come in all speeds but they push themselves to improve - which is a principle. Doing longer runs is a training practice that can improve your ability. Traditionally, runners do long runs on Sunday but you can do them on other days.


You understand the culture based on the values and principles. The practices make sense within the larger context. You better understand why the long run is important. What if all your training runs are the same distance (you don't do long runs) are you really a runner? Well, if you believe in the values and follow the principles - then yes.



This idea can expressed as follows: Culture = Values + Principles (which are expressed through practices)



Understanding Agile Culture
I believe the same is true for understanding agile software development. Often we start by talking about stand-ups, stories, automated testing and all the other practices without setting the larger context. First you need to understand the culture (values and principles) before comprehending how they are expressed by practices.


Agile software development, as a culture, is defined by the Agile Manifesto. The four values and twelve practices define what and how we seek to achieve a goal. Missing these fundamental ideas leads to an incomplete understanding. Why not count "development complete" stories as progress? Because we value working code and believe that is the only measure of progress.


Start with understanding the agile values and principles
There is a lot of content about agile software development.  Lots of cool ideas, ways to communicate, retrospect, organize and enable successful projects - you can quickly lose your way and miss the big picture.


So, start your journey at the Agile Manifesto site and branch out from there. First learn the basics then understand how the practices fit together and enable the principles and values. Oh, and try to get in your long runs maybe a running partner (or pair?) that can help your focus and commitment.