This post originated from an RSS feed registered with Agile Buzz
by Simon Baker.
Original Post: At last an organisation willing to try
Feed Title: Agile In Action
Feed URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AgileInAction
Feed Description: Energized Work's blog.
We're currently working at a FTSE100 Corporation and, 9 weeks in, we've entertained a few senior executives and executive board members. They've dropped by for a walk through our informative workspace with a running explanation of how we're working, culminating in a demonstration of the working code so far.
When the CTO visited he threw away protocol and sat in the bullpen to engage in some simulated pair-programming. When the COO visited he asked many insightful questions and I think he was pleased to hear about our Product Stream concept that was allowing us to work as one with the Business. When the CFO and the CEO visited, the CEO was very interested in our application of Lean thinking. The CFO really liked our big visible charts showing how we're spending our 7-figure budget (burn rate, cumulative spend, return on investment per iteration, projected total spend, categorised expenditure, etc), but his most telling remark followed our iteration showcase (where story owners demonstrate the functionality delivered in the iteration and the team fields questions from the audience). He said:
"This is the first time I've visited a team where everyone clearly knows exactly what's going on in the project."
This is the first corporation where I've experienced a groundswell of vocal and active support for an agile approach to software product development at the very top of the organisation. It's down to the enthusiasm and drive of the department CTO and the Head of the Online Business Unit, some internal marketing, and our ability to make commitments and deliver predictably and reliably. Long may it continue, as this is just the beginning of this roller-coaster ride.
Previous Topic
