Striking the Right Chord: How Playing in a Band Can Mirror Agile Principles

Four months ago, a few of us at Mantel Group came together to embark on a fun journey: preparing for the annual charity gig - Battle of the Agile Bands (run by the amazing Liz Holliday and sponsored by Common Code ). After taking out the trophy this year (woo hoo!), I felt it's only right to reflect on how our experience mirrors the principles of the Agile Manifesto so closely. As we rehearsed and refined our performance, our band, Mantel Piece, discovered striking parallels between the world of music and agile methodologies.

Setting the Stage: Collaboration and Adaptation

In the beginning, our band came together with diverse skills and a shared passion for music. Much like an agile team, and how we do things at Mantel Group, we valued collaboration over strict hierarchy. Our goal was to create a set list that resonated with our audience. This required constant communication, feedback, and the willingness to adapt our plans based on what worked best.

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools: Our rehearsals were fuelled by spontaneous jam sessions and open dialogues. We realised early on that the quality of our music depended more on our interactions than on any rigid plan or tool. This fluidity allowed us to experiment and discover the best way to harmonise our talents.

Iterative Development: Crafting the Set List

A smaller group within the band took the lead in planning out our set list. This initial blueprint served as our product backlog, filled with ideas and potential songs. Over time, we iterated on this list, refining it based on our practice sessions and feedback from the rest of the group.

Working software over comprehensive documentation: In our context, "working software" was the actual performance of our songs. Instead of getting bogged down by detailed plans, we focused on playing and refining each piece. This hands-on approach allowed us to quickly identify what worked and what needed change.

Midway Checkpoint: Our MVP Performance

At the halfway mark, we performed one song—our Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—for the event organiser - Liz Holliday . This performance was a crucial feedback loop, much like a sprint review in agile. Liz's positive feedback and additional insights of the upcoming event provided us with valuable takeaways that guided our subsequent rehearsals.

Customer collaboration over contract negotiation: Engaging with the event organisers early on was akin to collaborating with our customers. Their response was instrumental in validating our final set list, ensuring that our performance would meet the expectations of our audience.

Continuous Improvement: The Agile Rhythm

As we moved closer to the gig, our rehearsals became more focused and efficient. We held regular retrospectives, discussing what went well and what could be improved. This iterative process of reflection and adjustment kept us aligned and motivated.

Responding to change over following a plan: Our journey was not without its challenges. We faced unexpected issues, from technical glitches to illnesses. However, our agile mindset allowed us to respond to these changes flexibly, always keeping our ultimate goal in sight.

The Grand Performance: Delivering Value

The night of the gig, we delivered a performance that was the culmination of months of hard work, collaboration, and iterative improvement. The audience's positive response was a testament to the value of embracing agile principles.

The Encore: Applying Agile Beyond Music

This experience reinforced for us that the principles of the Agile Manifesto extend beyond tech development. Whether in the realm of music or business, valuing individuals and interactions, working iteratively, and embracing change can lead to remarkable outcomes.

As we reflect on our journey from rehearsals to performance, we see a clear parallel between playing in a band and the agile approach. Both require teamwork, flexibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement. So, whether you're developing software or preparing for a gig, remember that agility can be your greatest asset.

Here's to the harmonious blend of music and agility—and to many more successful iterations, both on stage and off.