Agile is deliciously like a plate of scrambled eggs

Before you get hungry looking at the picture above, allow me to explain.

I have just conducted a 3 day Agile simulation workshop and the above point which was brought up stuck to me.

When you really think about it, Agile framework is remarkably like a plate of scrambled egg compared to a fried egg in traditional waterfall approach. 

Similar to how the yolk and egg white is clearly separated from each other, traditional waterfall has distinct stages from requirements gathering to design to building to testing etc. 

The way to fry an egg is more or less standardized and everyone simply follows the same approach similar to a Waterfall project-whereby the stages are all well defined and this methodology is followed by everyone.

And now, when we look back at the scrambled eggs analogy, you can see how they relate to each other.

You can't separate out the egg yolk and egg white from each other in a plate of scrambled eggs. Similarly in an Agile framework, there are no distinct stages in a scrum sprint. It is certainly not a mini-waterfall whereby all the coding is done up front, and testing only take place on the last 2 days of a sprint. All these "stages" are in fact mixed up within a sprint and need not take place sequentially.

Another similar point is this- everyone has their best method of making scrambled eggs. Google "Best method for scrambled eggs" and you probably will find dozens of recipes stating theirs to be the best approach. In Agile, likewise, it is not prescriptive. There isn't a one size fits all process or methodology. Ultimately it is up to the team preference [taste] and what makes them most effective.

Throughout the 3-day workshop, the above point inspired me to review and note down the 3 key points to further improve my future workshops.

1. Usage of Analogies and Examples

Agile, or for that matter, any other methodology topics will be hard to grasp, especially for anyone new to it. 

Always try to use simple to understand examples to explain difficult concept. [Egg analogy]

The best way to explain concepts is giving your audience the ability to relate to it.

2. Incorporate Gamification

During this workshop, there was a last minute change in agenda and I had to come up with a new agenda in less than an hour.

I decided to come up with an interactive quiz that tests on the concepts/knowledge taught throughout the 3 day workshop.This actually turns out to be a great hit, with participants even requesting for daily quizzes in future to reinforce and test their understanding.

Usage of live and interactive quiz tools such as Kahoot! is also a great way to improve participants engagement. Highly recommended to increase the energy level of the class!

More importantly, this help to reinforce concepts taught and test the audience understanding. Trust me, this is useful.

This simple exercise also allowed me to gauge how much my participants truly absorb and to clear up any doubts they may face.

The use of Gamification allows you to test your participants and have fun at the same time. Two birds with one stone.

3. Draw, Draw and Draw!

The human brain is simply wired to remember images better than words. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words. Along this same line, videos work great too. [Note: As long as it isn't about someone reading off a script for a presentation]

Try and recall the last workshop you attended. Out of all the info taught, chances are, you are more likely to remember the pictures, analogies or examples given than any slides filled with detailed explanation.

The key point is: you don't have to be a Picasso to start drawing. Even a simple pic of stick-men holding a sign saying "Team" is useful in reinforcing the concept of team effort in the Agile framework.

Another interesting approach is to simply WRITE out the key word or concept you wish to bring across.

W-R-I-T-I-N-G out a word gives your participants the slight pause they need to absorb this important key word.

This simple act helps to reinforce their memory of the word as they are both hearing and seeing the word written out in front of them.

D-R-A-W-I-N-G a picture speaks a thousand word into your participants brain.

Conclusion

Conducting any workshop is tough, especially when you have to impart new concepts and mindsets to your participants. Hopefully the above 3 points I learnt can help anyone out there looking to improve the way we conduct workshops.

At the end of this post, the point that you remember a week from now, may still be that plate of delicious scrambled eggs at the top. :) After all, analogies and pictures are what works best.

What other tips do you have for improving how we conduct workshop? Share in the comments section below! (I read them all)

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