I Scrum so I am Agile?

Of course NOT!

Isn’t Scrum Agile?

Nyenk (= no and yes). Scrum can help you deliver software in a better way but doesn’t help you with being Agile or with your agility. It’s not because we Scrum that we automatically are Agile. You do Scrum but you are not Scrum. You are Agile but you don’t do Agile.

And why is that?

It’s because being Agile is a mindset, a state of mind, a philosophy, a way of being you could say. Agile is how you ARE. And Scrum is a framework, a methodology, a technique. Or what’s in a name. Scrum is how you DO. 

Agile = to be

Scrum = to do

Huh??? What are you saying?

Well, take for instance martial arts & bushido. I practiced karate (a martial art) for 20 years. I practiced my techniques thousand times, over and over again. The trainings allowed me to master a lot of them and to achieve results.

Have I lived according the ways of Bushido during all these years?

Nyenk (no and yes). I’ve tried but I admit it: I’ve sinned many times. 

It’s not because I practiced one of many martial arts that I lived by the code and honor of Bushido. Bushido, the way of the warrior, is for all (Japanese) martial arts, like Agile is for all Agile methodologies/frameworks. 

Scrum = karate (reference: Karate kid)

Bushido = Agile (reference: karate kid II)

Do I still live by the code of Bushido? I try, as much as possible but I would have to give up a lot of virtues by following Bushido in many circumstances. But I took in the best of it for me and any company should do the same with the Agile mindset. I think it’s human nature to take in the best for oneself.  

Conclusion: karate is only a start for Bushido

Conclusion: Scrum/Kanban/XP, etc. all are only a start for agility or being Agile

Can we be Agile without Scrum?

YES! Like you can live by the way of Bushido without doing any martial arts. The wives of the samurai often did.

So, you do not need to practice Scrum/Kanban/XP… to be Agile!

Can we learn to be Agile or are we born that way?

Like with many sports: 80% is hard work (training) & 20% is talent (born given). So, yes one can train him/herself to be Agile by training and working hard at it.

How? With the help of good Agile coaches or facilitators with a passion for the LEGO? SERIOUS PLAY? Method for instance or both. ;)

Do you want to know more about LSP then read my next blog coming soon: How to use the LEGO? SERIOUS PLAY? Method in Lean & Agile transition?

Do you want to experience the power of the LEGO? SERIOUS PLAY? Method before reading my next blog? Then join us in one of our Meetups: Agile atelier, Lean & Agile transition and LEGO? SERIOUS PLAY? Meetup Vlaanderen.

Next Meetup is on Monday, January 24, 2017

My credo in life:

#FUN FUN FUN & HARD WORK = #HARDFUN :)

I would love to hear your opinion. Looking forward to hearing your feedback.

If not keep following us on Equalminds, Contribute group, LinkedIn, twitter.

Marc Vandyck