Agile is Dead | The Agile CEO by Scrum Inc.

Summary

In this episode of 'The Agile CEO,' JJ Sutherland, CEO of Scrum Inc., explores the enduring relevance of Agile practices in today's fast-paced world. He delves into the science behind Scrum, emphasizing its roots in empirical process control and its adaptability to various industries, from tech to military. Through personal stories and examples, Sutherland demonstrates how Agile principles enable organizations to rapidly inspect, adapt, and stay resilient amid constant change. He highlights the importance of leadership, organizational agility, and embracing new technologies like AI to future-proof businesses and drive sustainable success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Agile is not dead; it's based on timeless scientific principles, like the laws of thermodynamics, which continue to apply in the modern world.
• 😀 The core of agile is the inspect-and-adapt cycle, where hypotheses about future outcomes are tested to see if they hold true.
• 😀 Agility in an organization isn't just about teams; it's about fostering an agile operating model that spans the entire organization.
• 😀 Empirical process control, originating from the chemical industry, is the foundation of agile, where constant testing and measurement allow for adaptation to changing conditions.
• 😀 Leadership plays a crucial role in agile transformations—if leaders don’t embrace agile thinking and behaviors, the organization won’t change effectively.
• 😀 Agility looks different across industries. Whether it's building cruise missiles or streaming services, the principles are the same but their application can vary.
• 😀 Organizational agility is vital in a fast-changing world, and agile practices allow companies to pivot quickly in response to shifts, as seen during the pandemic.
• 😀 AI and new technologies are reshaping industries, and adopting agile practices helps organizations integrate these technologies more effectively.
• 😀 The secret to success with AI isn’t just in better machines or better humans, but in how humans and machines collaborate through agile methods.
• 😀 Agile transformations often fail due to resistance from leadership, but organizations that embrace agile principles across all levels can thrive.
• 😀 Agile’s flexibility is demonstrated through case studies like the FBI's Sentinel project, where iterative progress and constant feedback were key to success.

Q & A

What is the main message JJ Southerland conveys about agile in the podcast?

JJ Southerland stresses that agile is not a passing trend, but a scientifically grounded methodology that has been effective for over a century. It is about continuous inspection, adaptation, and improvement, helping organizations respond swiftly to change.

How does JJ Southerland compare agile to scientific principles?

He likens agile to the scientific method, where teams create hypotheses, test them, and adapt based on the results. This cycle of inspect and adapt is a fundamental aspect of agile that aligns with the laws of science and natural processes.

Why does JJ Southerland believe agile is necessary at the organizational level?

Southerland argues that agility should not be confined to individual teams; it needs to be embedded throughout the organization to enable a responsive, flexible operating model that can quickly adapt to changes in the environment.

What is the role of leadership in successful agile transformations?

Leadership is critical for agile transformations to succeed. Leaders must embrace agile principles, model agile behaviors, and encourage their teams to work in an agile way. If leaders don't adapt, the transformation is unlikely to succeed.

What example does JJ Southerland give to demonstrate agile's application in different industries?

Southerland mentions the Royal Navy and a tech company in Silicon Valley, showing that despite the very different contexts, both organizations face similar challenges and have adopted agile practices to address them. This highlights agile's universal applicability.

How does agile help organizations save resources, according to Southerland?

Agile allows organizations to test ideas and projects in short cycles, making it easier to pivot if something isn't working. This minimizes waste and helps avoid costly mistakes, as evidenced by a story where a department store saved $95 million by stopping an ill-conceived digital transformation early.

What does Southerland mean by 'Bayesian surprise' and how does it relate to agile?

Bayesian surprise refers to the mental cost incurred when a job is left unfinished or done incorrectly. Southerland uses this concept to illustrate how agile helps reduce the cost of error by promoting small, frequent experiments and quick feedback loops.

How does artificial intelligence (AI) influence agile work processes?

Southerland discusses how AI is transforming industries and emphasizes the need for agile methodologies to successfully work alongside AI. Agile teams need to adapt rapidly to integrate AI, working with it as a new team member rather than just using it as a tool.

Why does Southerland think agile is critical for dealing with rapid technological changes?

In a rapidly changing world, agility allows organizations to test hypotheses, adapt quickly, and stay relevant. With technological advancements like AI, agile enables teams to experiment and evolve faster than rigid, traditional approaches.

What does Southerland mean when he says, 'If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong'?

Southerland suggests that agile work should be engaging and enjoyable. If the process feels too difficult or unproductive, it indicates that something isn't working as it should, and a shift in approach is needed.