Agile Principle #7: Working software is the primary measure of progress.
Common Issues that Lead Organizations Astray
- Using screenshots, diagrams, or videos instead of showing true working software.
- Not having the necessary skillsets to provide full end-to-end solutions.
- Practicing "ScrumFall" - doing each part of the Waterfall lifecycle across Sprints/Iterations instead of within Sprints/Iterations.
- Too many dependencies on other teams or external sources that prevent working solutions.
- Focusing too much on metrics as the primary measure of progress.
Solutions that Lead Organizations Back on Course
- Go live! When possible, use live demos in an environment that could be accessible to the Customer.
- Perform a skill-set analysis and make sure the team has all the skills necessary to provide an end-to-end solution. If not, add someone who does or use this as a training opportunity.
- Focus on incremental progress by creating User Stories that don't exceed the Sprint/Iteration timebox and leverage the INVEST User Story format.
- Eliminate dependencies where appropriate and ensure teams have identified or mitigated as much risk as possible.
- Metrics help with decision making but working solutions that solve Customers' problems should be the primary measure of progress.
Click here to download CapTech's 12 Principles of Agile Poster
- Part 1: Deliver Value
- Part 2: Changing Requirements
- Part 3: Deliver Frequently
- Part 4: Work Together
- Part 5: Motivated Individuals
- Part 6: Face-to-Face Conversation
- Part 7: Working Solutions