Agile Across Industries

When I was trying to write some ideas for a Webinar, I started to analyze the entire picture for Agile…

The first thought I tried to clarify was the reason to choose Agile and by my understanding, the only clue to choose an Agile approach is “Uncertainty”, more uncertainty you have, it’s more suitable for using “Agile”

But what’s important to consider about agile?

First of all, we don’t have to see agile as synonymous with Kanban, Scrum, or other specific systems. Eventually, they will have to change for others in the near future. For this reason, it’s preferable to think Agile as a Mindset, because it's the way it will endure and prevail over time. Remember that many people have live and made a lot of money implementing different management systems, they evolve and change, same as technology…very fast!

See the wide picture… The Original Agile Context was the SoftWare industry, their Pains at that time (2001)…

But, the truth is that most of the Agile concepts are a “Must” for any Project Manager, and in some time we forgot completely to apply these concepts... Please, embrace these concepts and agile principles but you have to understand that we are not talking something new… or do you believe that NASA in the Apollo Program did not apply agile almost 60 years ago?

“Agile” remember us of these important aspects we forgot to apply or that we failed to apply!

The Agile Manifesto was initially for SW development! But is applicable for every type of industry, project, or program… and it is our responsibility not to forgot it again!

The Values

1.    Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

My Comment: This is the number Leadership 1st Rule.

2.    Working software over comprehensive documentation

My Comment: Very Logical, anything must be operational first… then, the rest.

3.    Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

My Comment: The second leadership rule but, the problem is that business are business and you can’t leave the contract apart, especially in government contracts.

4.    Responding to change over following a plan

My Comment: Military says “Even de Better plan, doesn’t resist the first enemy bullet”, since Sun Tzu times (590 BC).

Let see now the Agile Principles

1.    Priority to satisfy the customer

My Comment: IS A MUST in every business to a long term relationship

2.    Welcome changing requirements

My Comment: If they are justified OK, but be careful… nothing it′s for free. If the cost is “zero”, the demand will be infinite (law of supply and demand, microeconomics) and we can escalate cost and generate entropy. Remember to Sun Tzu, the changes are a real need, but you must drive them. Be prepared to change IS A MUST.

3.    Deliver frequently, with a preference to the shorter timescale.

My Comment: It's really a good thing but not possible in every industry or project. Use a scale concept, mockup, or test laboratories also is an option.

4.    Business people and developers must work together closely daily periodically throughout the project.

My Comment: In a perfect world it’s a perfect idea, but in some industries the customer or final user doesn’t have enough time or resources to do so. In agile methodology the teams are integrated by business people or at least, somebody to represent the business side.

5.    Build projects around motivated individuals.

My Comment: THIS IS A MUST in leadership. Do you know someone who doesn’t want to have a motivated team?

6.    The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.

My Comment: THIS IS A MUST in Conflict resolution and leadership! The ABC of every Project or Program Manager.

7.    Working software Results is the primary measure of progress.

My Comment: Outcomes v/s Outputs… In the Program Management with a Business sense! Establishing KPIs it’s a healthy and common practice in different steps, not only necessary at the end of the work.

8.    Agile processes promote sustainable development.

My Comment: THIS IS A PROGRAM MUST. In this time long term relationship with every stakeholder it’s a common goal for every industry.

9.    Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.

My Comment: THIS IS A MUST EVERYWHERE, nobody wants to work without quality nor technical excellence!

10. Simplicity--the art of maximizing the amount of work not done--is essential.

My Comment: THIS IS A MUST… With simplicity you decrease failure probability. Since ever in all industries one of the most sought after and valued features in planning is simplicity… Remember KISS!

11. The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.

My Comment: Partially applicable to everything and agile also. Even in agile, there are specific organizations (i.e. work cell components and obligation). But the goals and timeframe must be discussed with people who involve in the work or experienced in the work.

12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective.

My Comment: THIS IS A MUST EVERYWHERE. The Lessons Learned take and important part in PM Knowledge but Agile goes further. As the military and pilots have Brief, Debrief, After Action Review, and more. Agile put a few ceremonies to do so. I use myself to have daily 15 minutes meetings with my teams since 1990 as my navy culture. Perfect opportunity to align team agendas, review work to do, obtain team leverage, and lessons learned.

In conclusion I can understand that Agile mindset and practices can be easily applied to any industry beyond the particular system or specific methodology.

Also, I can assert that it is not an absolutely new or disruptive methodology, but it’s an extraordinary group of diverse tools that allow us to manage uncertainty in a better way.

Finally, it is not necessary to implement a specific methodology to embrace Agile, because it′s a mindset and I expect in the future the knowledge will evolve positively and go further continued helping Managers to understand and manage uncertainty in a better way.

Be Agile!