Food Agile for Thought #157: Agile 2018, Mediocrity, Peter Principle, Business vs. Technical Debt

Food for Agile Thought’s issue #157 applauds Martin Fowler for his Agile Australia keynote on Agile 2018, we learn about the road to mediocrity, and we ask: Is the Peter Principle not a satire but reality?

We also address the issue of hidden (technical) costs of being ‘agile,’ as well the how to solve the conflict to prioritize business needs as well as the necessity to preserve the health of the code base.

Lastly, we deal with the challenges of planning poker in a short and entertaining video.

Have a great week!

?? The Essential Read

Martin Fowler (via InfoQ): Agile in 2018

Martin Fowler addresses three problem areas of Agile 2018: the agile industrial complex, the lack of recognition of the importance of technical excellence, and the necessity to organize around products.

Source: InfoQ: Agile in 2018

Author: Martin Fowler

Agile 2018 & Scrum

John Cutler (via Hackernoon): That’ll Never Work Here: Heretics, Head Noddies, and the Drift Into Mediocrity

John Cutler observes companies adopting generic practices without customizing them only to complain later that these practices won’t work for them.

Source: Hackernoon: That’ll Never Work Here: Heretics, Head Noddies, and the Drift Into Mediocrity

Author: John Cutler

Tim Harford: The Peter Principle is a joke taken seriously. Is it true?

Tim Harford consider the Peter Principle to be a satire and wonders if it might be true what we can do about it?

Source: The Peter Principle is a joke taken seriously. Is it true?

Author: Tim Harford

(via Hackernoon): You’re Not Paying the True Cost of Software Development, and It’s Killing Your Business

Eric Weiss points at the hidden costs of ’moving fast’ and cutting corners to exploit market opportunities.

Source: Hackernoon: You’re Not Paying the True Cost of Software Development, and It’s Killing Your Business

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Product & Lean

Gojko Adzic: Sprints, marathons and root canals

Gojko Adzic shares his approach to solving an old conflict: How to prioritize technical debt against business features?

Source: Sprints, marathons and root canals

Author: Gojko Adzic

Seb Rose (via Agile Alliance): How long is a piece of string?

Seb Rose points at the challenges of planning poker in a short and entertaining video.

Source: Agile Alliance: How long is a piece of string?

Author: Seb Rose

(via This Is Product Management): What’s the Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research?

This Is Product Management provides a compact introduction to user research.

Source: This Is Product Management: What’s the Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research?

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Food Agile for Thought #157: Agile 2018, Mediocrity, Peter Principle, Business vs. Technical Debt was first published on Age-of-Product.com.