Agility ≠ Speed • Kevlin Henney • YOW! 2019

Discover the truth about agility in software development: it's not about speed, but about navigating uncertainty, building a culture of communication and decentralization, and embracing continuous learning and improvement.

Key takeaways

The key to agility is not speed, but rather the ability to navigate uncertainty and change direction when needed.
Agility is about building a culture that values communication, decentralization, and diversity of opinion.
Decentralization is key to promoting autonomy and reducing risk.
The illusion of complete knowledge is a major barrier to agility, and we must be willing to question our assumptions and adapt to new information.
Estimation and prioritization can be misleading, and we must consider a more nuanced approach to planning.
Iteration and experimentation are essential to continuous learning and improvement.
Speed can be a myth, and we must consider the trade-offs between speed and quality in our development processes.
Autonomy and self-organization are powerful tools for promoting agility and reducing conflict.
The wisdom of the crowds can be harnessed through open communication and diverse perspectives.
Agility is not just about technology, but about creating an organizational culture that values learning, adaptation, and collaboration.
The PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle is a powerful tool for facilitating continuous improvement and learning.
We must be willing to slow down and reflect on our processes and outcomes in order to learn and adapt.
The concept of “muda” (waste) is crucial to understanding the importance of reducing inefficiencies and improving flow in development processes.
The importance of “jidoka” (autonomous self-stop) in ensuring the quality and reliability of our work.
Communication is key to facilitating collaboration, shared understanding, and collective intelligence.

Agility ≠ Speed • Kevlin Henney • YOW! 2019

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