Food Agile for Thought #157

Stefan Wolpers
Aug 31, 2018 · 4 min read

Food for Agile Thought’s issue #157 applauds Martin Fowler for his Agile Australia keynote on Agile 2018, we learn about the road to mediocrity, and we ask: Is the Peter Principle not a satire but reality?

We also address the issue of hidden (technical) costs of being ‘agile,’ as well the how to solve the conflict between prioritizing business needs as well as maintaining the health of the code base.

Lastly, we deal with the challenges of planning poker in a short and entertaining video.

Have a great week!

🏆 The Essential Read


Martin Fowler (via InfoQ): Agile in 2018

Martin Fowler addresses three problem areas of Agile 2018: the agile industrial complex, the lack of recognition of the importance of technical excellence, and the necessity to organize around products.

Source: InfoQ: Agile in 2018

Author: Martin Fowler


Agile 2018 & Scrum


John Cutler (via Hackernoon): That’ll Never Work Here: Heretics, Head Noddies, and the Drift Into Mediocrity

That’ll Never Work Here: Heretics, Head Noddies, and the Drift Into Mediocrity
Image from medium.com

John Cutler observes companies adopting generic practices without customizing them only to complain later that these practices won’t work for them.

Source: Hackernoon: That’ll Never Work Here: Heretics, Head Noddies, and the Drift Into Mediocrity

Author: John Cutler


Tim Harford: The Peter Principle is a joke taken seriously. Is it true?

Tim Harford consider the Peter Principle to be a satire and wonders if it might be true what we can do about it?

Source: The Peter Principle is a joke taken seriously. Is it true?

Author: Tim Harford


(via Hackernoon): You’re Not Paying the True Cost of Software Development, and It’s Killing Your Business

You’re Not Paying the True Cost of Software Development, and It’s Killing Your Business
Image from medium.com

Eric Weiss points at the hidden costs of ’moving fast’ and cutting corners to exploit market opportunities.

Source: Hackernoon: You’re Not Paying the True Cost of Software Development, and It’s Killing Your Business


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Product & Lean


Gojko Adzic: Sprints, marathons and root canals

Gojko Adzic shares his approach to solving an old conflict: How to prioritize technical debt against business features?

Source: Sprints, marathons and root canals

Author: Gojko Adzic


Seb Rose (via Agile Alliance): How long is a piece of string?

Seb Rose points at the challenges of planning poker in a short and entertaining video.

Source: Agile Alliance: How long is a piece of string?

Author: Seb Rose


(via This Is Product Management): What’s the Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research?

This Is Product Management provides a compact introduction to user research.

Source: This Is Product Management: What’s the Difference Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research?


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Food Agile for Thought #157: Agile 2018, Mediocrity, Peter Principle, Business vs. Technical Debt was first published on Age-of-Product.com.

Food for Agile Thought

Best posts from last week on agile and lean methodologies, Scrum and product management. Manually curated, no robots involved.

Stefan Wolpers

Written by

I have worked for 13-plus years as an agile coach, Scrum Master, and Product Owner. Professional Scrum Trainer (PST) with Scrum.org.

Food for Agile Thought

Best posts from last week on agile and lean methodologies, Scrum and product management. Manually curated, no robots involved.

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