On Values
In Agile we ofter quote the 4 Values of the Agile Manifesto (https://agilemanifesto.org):
"We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it.
Through this work we have come to value:
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more."
Note that Values are a Choices, like Ideals, see https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/ideals-mihail-sestakov-n52pc/.
While Ideals are more abstract principles we aspire or strive for, Values are beliefs guiding behaviour, they serve as the foundation for decision-making. Like in the above Agile Manifesto.
Values are based on experiences ("...better ways of developing software by doing it ..."), personal beliefs ("... we have come to value..."), and also on upbringing, culture, etc.
So different past experiences will likely lead to different Values. For example, in heavily regulated industries delivery work requires documentation, like in banking remediation. There, "Working software over comprehensive documentation" is of no value: the Regulator requires "comprehensive documentation". How about the other Agile Values, do they apply in these industries? Or do we need to (re)examine the collective experience and context in those industries, and produce new Values?
In the Agile Manifesto, the Principles are the result of the Values. So if the Values change, the Principles need to be re-examined and most likely changed.
The Agile Practices implement the Agile Principles. So they would need to change too...
领英推荐
Back to Values, the Agile Values. Do they apply (have value) in these areas (random list):
- HR
- Finance
- Change Management
- Strategy
- Governance
- Operations
- Services
If the Agile Manifesto Values do not apply there, why are we applying Agile Principles and Practices in those areas, without (re)examining their Values? Or the Principles?
What would your Values guide you to do here?
Reacher Not Preacher
1 年Great article, Mihail S. IMHO, it's crucial to acknowledge that blind application of Agile practices without considering specific values and principles (which happens more often than otherwise) can lead to suboptimal, if not disastrous, outcomes. It's essential to continually assess and adapt practices to fit the unique needs and contexts of different areas. If the values in the Agile Manifesto don't directly apply to a given domain, they ought to be reexamined and possibly redefined to better align with the specific context. Discussions and collaborations among stakeholders must be championed to identify and prioritize the values that are most relevant and important in the given domain. Ultimately, my values would guide me to prioritize collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement. I'd strive to ensure that any principles or practices applied in different areas are aligned with these values and are serving the best interests of the individuals involved and the goals of the organization. If there are misalignments between the Manifesto and the needs of a specific domain, I'd advocate open discussions and adaptations to ensure that Agile is applied in a way that maximizes their benefits.
Founder XSCALE Alliance. Author "the agile way".
1 年I'd think about working software that generates comprehensive documentation. And, since the word "comprehensive" is pretty vague in the context of regulation, I'd think about using AIDD to create same iteratively per https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/aidriven-development-peter-merel-yi66c/