Soul-Sucking Death Marches from Hell
I just examined Jeff Patton's post on backlog grooming and his total discomfort with it as typically implemented in typical agile adoptions. Backlog grooming is implemented as a very bad meeting in his story, which you can examine via the above link. Save that for now, and just examine what I am telling you: I have the solution here, and ...
The Intentional Learning Organization
There is absolutely nothing automatic where group learning is concerned. As a group, we either intend it, or we don't. Look no further than the current (low) learning levels of typical groups: teams and organizations; and local, state and federal government. Look no further than how nations act and behave with respect to learning. If learning in groups was automatic, we would ...
Keith Ray: Thought Pioneer
The following is printed with permission from Keith Ray. It originally appeared here. The post is preserved here in unadulterated form. In this post he makes certain assertions that start to link Agile practices with the ability to manifest a Learning Organization. This is a great read. Quotes: Continuous Learning. I've always said that XP requires a Learning Organization, and ...
Agile Coaching Thought Leaders
The Agile Coaching world is waking up to the issues in and around so-called 'embedded' or 'integrated' coaching, Agile Coaching Ethics, and the important issue of authority as it plays out in each and every Agile Coaching engagement throughout the world. Thought leaders are now emerging. They include JB Rainsberger, Naresh Jain, George ...
The Genius Organization
Is is possible to create a "genius team" using off-the-shelf Agile techniques like Kanban and Scrum? Can ANYONE create a genius team, assuming they and the team members are willing? Can McCarthy's Core Protocols play a big role in the development of a Genius Organization? Is culture a gating factor in how organizations learn? I think the answers are yes, yes, ...
Moving Beyond IceBreakers!
If you are an Agile coach or Agile practitioner, YOU NEED THIS BOOK. Not too long ago, in Boston, we discovered TEEN EMPOWERMENT. This non-profit is in the business of mediating conflict and violence between gangs and other groups of people in the inner city. They are in the business of building shared understanding between rival groups. They are ...
Agile: Gateway Drug to the Learning Organization
This post is how Agile is really just a gateway drug than can lead to a hard-core habit of Organizational Learning. However, that progression from merely 'playing Agile' to becoming a full-blown Learning Organization is by no means guaranteed. In 1990-1991, Peter Senge wrote a book called THE FIFTH DISCIPLINE. In that book he describes the 5 characteristics of a '
Culture Hacking
Culture hacking is almost the same as software hacking. Culture hacking modifies culture, instead of modifying software. Software hackers in the 1970's created code for personal use and for others to also use and enjoy. In the modern day, culture hackers actively modify culture for personal betterment and the betterment of others. Hacking Culture- like it is software What is significant here is ...
Management Is a Function, Not a Role
Management Used To Be a Role. We're now DONE with that. In the days of Frederick Taylor, management fit neatly in a role. A single skilled person directed the work of largely unskilled labor throughout the Industrial Revolution. Workers eventually became groomed through the education system to show up as cookie-cutter conformists who did what they were told. And they "checked ...
Triumph of the City
The ultimate cause of Athenian success may seem mysterious, but the process is clear. I'm reading TRIUMPH OF THE CITY by Edward Glaeser. The aforementioned quote comes from this book. Friends are reading it, and recommending the book. The book is super-stimulating and is a truly great read. One of things that is hitting me about this book is the virtualization ...
