Agile Transformation Starts with You.

Let me ask you something. Why do you want to do this agile thing? Of course, there are a lot of good reasons to pursue agile. You might've read about it, heard a talk about it at a conference, or have someone in your office who is keen on it.  Heck, you might have even heard me talk about how agile can improve productivity, enhance collaboration and teamwork, or improve the delivery of value to your customers.  That's all true. 

You may have started down the agile path by training some folks, establishing standup meetings, or even organizing your tasks into a backlog.  All good.  Wherever you are on the path, or if you are still wondering when and how to begin the journey, my question stands. Why do you wanna do agile?

It might be fair for you to ask me, "why are you asking this question? "

After all, the Agile framework is about teams, collaboration, transparency, productivity and, in a broader sense, the ecosystem of the work environment. So, why am I asking this, sort of, personal question about you - a single individual.

My question is concerned with your intention. Your intention is important, because understanding more than just the widgets you create, and delving into your personal stake will help you investigate what your team is seeking as individuals and as a group.  That information will be the best guide to what challenges you should tackle first.  Because, and this is deep, work without intention is empty motion.

You are interested in agile, so I wager you are looking for ways to make things better.  Just as we, in the task space, care about the “definition of done”, we also, in the human space, should care about how it will feel when things are better.  And, this takes us right back to intention, my question and the title of this piece.  "Agile transformation starts with you". 

Taking the time individually, with a coach, or with your team to separate the widgets from the work, and investigate what making things better means to you, personally, will guide you and your team to a great agile experience.

Ultimately, you and your team will be making and delivering things to your customers, and that is very important. But, while it may seem separate from the bottom line, it is possibly more important that you and your team find meaning and fulfillment in the activities you perform, practically, so you can continue to be creative and effective for your customers, but also, keep the rewards of common purpose, accomplishment and a sense of continued growth among you.