Agility is not Pinky; There is Accountability

Today, everyone is talking about being agile. Companies want to be faster, more flexible, and adapt to change quickly. But often, they forget something very important: accountability. Without accountability, agility becomes messy, and teams can lose focus on what really matters.

Agility Misunderstood: Freedom Without Limits?

Many think agility means total freedom. They see it as a way to remove strict rules and do whatever they want. It sounds good: no strict deadlines, no rigid plans, just creativity and speed. But here's the problem: when there are no boundaries or clear roles, things quickly get out of control. Teams may start changing direction without any real reason or goal.

Ken Schwaber, who helped create Scrum, often warns against this. He explains that agility without accountability leads to confusion and missed opportunities. If no one is delivering outcomes, agility just becomes chaos.

Accountability: The Key to Real Agility

In real agile teams, accountability is what keeps things on track. Everyone has a clear role and is contributing for something important. In Scrum, for example, the Product Owner makes sure the team is building the right thing by maximizing value, the Scrum Master ensures the team works well together by optimizing the way of work (WoW), and the Developers build what’s needed for each sprint. These roles are not about controlling people; they help everyone stay focused on delivering.

Even in Disciplined Agile (DA), a more flexible framework, the idea of accountability is essential. DA allows teams to adapt their way of working, but only if they remain focus on delivering real results. Without accountability, agility becomes directionless.

Balancing Flexibility with Responsibility

When we talk about agility, it’s not just about moving fast. It’s about being adaptable while also being responsible. Teams need the freedom to experiment and change, but they must always remember their goal: delivering value to customers. Without this balance, agility turns into random changes that don’t really help the business grow.

Agile teams, like explorers, need a clear direction. They may not have a detailed map, but they have a North Star, a clear purpose. Accountability helps them stay on course, making sure every decision serves the bigger goal.

Conclusion: Accountability Makes Agility Work

In the end, agility isn't just about being free from rules. It’s about having the freedom to adapt with customer in mind. If you want your team to be truly agile, focus on building a culture where accountability is just as important as speed. This balance will help your team move faster and smarter, without losing sight of what really matters.

Agility without accountability? That’s just chaos.

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