Unlearn the Myths to Learn the Mindset
Whether you’ve worked with agile for 5 years or for 5 minutes, there is one universal truth of which you are likely well aware. There is no single, comprehensive definition of agile and, I would argue, it is very frequently misunderstood. Agile has come to mean many things to different people and is the ironic combination of being both hard to define and also being deceptively simple. In order to learn the agile mindset, behaviors, and principles you may first need to unlearn some agile misconceptions.
I decided to write a short book on the top 21 misconceptions about agile concepts. After listing the myth, it summarizes what behaviors and principles you should follow instead and is dense with references to published authors and reputable sources of information to help you learn key agile concepts that will help you and your team become more agile.
Remember, there is no one right way to practice agile. So, you may well find contradictory information on the web <gasp>. I encourage you to explore the principles and behaviors on your own to see what works and doesn’t work for you and your team.
Agile is a mindset that has been built through experience in less than 20 years, guided only by approximately one page of text; less than 100 words of the manifesto and the twelve principles. All of the frameworks, all of the books, and all of the coaching and training you have received on agile topics originate there. I think we should all re-read the manifesto and 12 principles occasionally to help refresh ourselves on the basic principles. I hope this book can be a resource for those starting out as well as the coaches and more experienced to notice and correct the misconceptions they see. Our world of agile is evolving rapidly so be sure to keep reading enough to both confirm and challenge your assumptions.
The eBook “Agile Misconceptions: Unlearn the Myths to Learn the Mindset” is available for a small fee at AgileMisconceptions.com
About the Author: Brian Link is the owner of Practical Agilist, LLC. Brian provides leadership as an Agile Delivery Consultant and Business Agility Coach. Follow Brian on Twitter @blinkdaddy or LinkedIn.
