It's-a me, Agile!
Another Agile blog? Yes. But my approach is kind of different, as I solemnly swear to speak the truth. It's not always rainbows and butterflies and Agile is not for everyone.
Disclaimer: This blog contains humor that some readers may find disturbing.
Where do you come from, where do you go Agile?
Just like Christopher Columbus ventured into unknown waters, Agilists didn’t know where their journey will lead them. It all started in the spring of 2000, when a group of 17 software developers, including Martin Fowler, Jim Highsmith, Jon Kern, Jeff Sutherland, Ken Schwaber, and Bob Martin met in Oregon to discuss how they could speed up development times in order to bring new software to market faster. 20 years later Agile is no longer a new territory. Still, many people are uncertain whether to start this journey or sail in safe waters. There are a variety of reasons for this, like forgetting to enable technology or falsely seeing Agile as the wrong goal.
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back to safety.”
- Abraham Maslov
Option two was never an option, as I am a disruptor, and I think you should be one too! It is worth it. I have created this blog for you, as knowledge learned, should be knowledge shared. Please keep in mind, that I am simply sharing my personal experience from the various Agile roles I worked in. Currently, I am a Scrum Master.
Once upon a time…
The pandemic has hit us unexpectedly just like the Backstreet Boys’ comeback. Many obstacles had to be overcome but every cloud has a silver lining! Those months of being shut down gave me the mental space to create ‘Talk Agile to me’. Just like Michaelangelo dedicated all his passion to his masterpiece David, my mind was not standing still until I finished my mission to give you an inside into my mindset regarding Agility and Change within projects or whole organizations. I took a lot of passion, added my creativity, and spiced it up with a pinch of fantasy. Put 'em together and what have you got? Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo, my 2 cents to give inspiration and foster creativity. Take them or leave them.
Why me?
It is difficult for us all to take the time to slow down and deep dive into topics, as there is a toxic narrative present in modern society: ‘More is better.’ But I don’t want to give you another textbook and more to read! Agile and Change are creative and should be no pain, so my blog is designed to approach the ups and downs of Agile in a humorous and anecdotal way. Maybe it will give you a frame to deal with Agility, be curious, and risk making it fun. Or maybe it will confirm that Agile is just another buzzword and that’s also totally fine.
This one goes out to all Agile lovers and haters. I address this blog to you and wish you a warm welcome! Agile is already the new normal and now is the time to take a deep breath and jump into cold water. This is a little push toward your journey. Be venturesome, be bold, be dauntless! Bon voyage!
Wait a minute. What about the crazy clownfish?
Well, I don’t want to ruin your childhood, but ‘Finding Nemo’ is from a biological point of view not very accurate. In fact, clownfish are capable of changing their sex from male to female if the circumstances require it. So there you have it, they are responding to change, just like Agile does. That’s how my Agile clownfish was born.