Agile is a Mindset: A Foundational Guide to Agile

By Phill Akinwale

Agile is often misunderstood as a methodology or framework, but it is much more than that. It is a mindset that shapes how individuals and teams approach work, collaborate, and deliver value. In "Agile is a Mindset", we embark on an enlightening adventure with Billy, a local Agile superstar who realizes that he lacks a deep understanding of the essence of agility.

In this book, we delve into the core principles of Agile and unravel the true meaning behind the Agile mindset. We follow Billy as he encounters various challenges, misconceptions, and eye-opening experiences that challenge his preconceived notions about Agile. While frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming are commonly associated with Agile, we emphasize that they are merely implementation approaches of Agile practices. Instead of focusing solely on the mechanics of these frameworks, we explore the fundamental values and principles that underpin Agile.

Throughout the story, Billy learns that Agile is about embracing adaptability, flexibility, and continuous improvement. It encourages individuals and teams to respond to change rather than blindly adhering to rigid plans. Collaboration, transparency, and empowerment are at the heart of the Agile mindset, fostering effective communication, close teamwork, and shared ownership of outcomes.

Join Billy on his journey as he discovers the essence of Agile, unveils its true nature, and learns valuable lessons about Scrum along the way. Through relatable experiences and practical insights, "Agile is a Mindset" offers readers a refreshing and distilled view of Agile principles and their application in real-world scenarios.

Whether you're new to Agile or seeking a deeper understanding of its principles, this book serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards embracing an Agile mindset and achieving greater success in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world.

Get ready to embark on a transformative journey with Billy and discover the power of Agile!

• Language: English
• Publisher: PRAIZION MEDIA
• Release date: Jun 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781934579190

Book preview

AGILE IS A MINDSET

…Not a Methodology!

A Foundational Guide to Agile

PHILL AKINWALE, CSM, PSM, PSPO, PAL, SPS, PMI-ACP, PMP

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Agile is a Mindset

Published by Praizion Media

P.O Box 22241, Mesa, AZ  85277

E-mail: [e-mail]

www.praizion.com

Author:

Phillip Akinwale, MSc, OPM3, PMP, PMI-ACP, PSM, CSM, SPS, PAL

Copyright © 2023 Praizion Media

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means including but not limited to electronic, recording, manual, mechanical, recording, photograph, photocopy, or stored in any retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-934579-19-0

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The author and publisher make no warranties or representation that use of this publication will result in passing professional Agile or Scrum exams or about the completeness and accuracy of the contents. The author and publisher accept no liability, losses or damages of any kind caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this publication.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER TWO: AGILE MINDSET MANTRA

CHAPTER THREE: DEEPER INTO SCRUM

CHAPTER FOUR: FINE-TUNING!

CHAPTER FIVE:AGILE CHAMPION

CHAPTER SIX: KEY LESSONS LEARNED

CHAPTER SEVEN: QUIZ TIME

Glossary of Common Agile Terms

About the Author

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

A

s a leader in his firm, Billy Brag, a renowned leader in the tech industry, often found himself at

the center of discussion when it came to Agile.

People revered him for his use of Scrum and Kanban frameworks, considering him the epitome of Agile. However, deep down, Billy knew something was missing. Despite his team's ok deliveries, he felt an unshakeable sense of dissatisfaction. He couldn't help but feel that they were missing the essence of being truly Agile. One day, while attending a tech conference, Billy had a chance encounter with an old sage Pip, renowned for his expertise in Agile. The sage, intrigued by Billy's reputation, asked him about his approach to Agile. As Billy described his practices, the sage gently smiled, seeing Billy's misconception.

Pip the sage explained that Agile was not merely about using Scrum or Kanban, or any other framework or methodology for that matter. He described Agile as a mindset, a way of thinking that shapes one's attitude, behaviors, and actions. This mindset was about adaptability, growth, inquisitiveness, continuous learning, and evolution. The sage highlighted that true Agility required embracing change, fostering collaboration, prioritizing customer value, and striving for continuous improvement.

Agile is not a project management methodology or a methodology or a framework. It is a mindset—a mental attitude and set of beliefs that shape one's thoughts, behaviors, and actions. This book aims to clarify the true nature of agile and its significance in responding to the ever-changing world.

In today's tech-driven society, the topic of agile was explored with the help of Chat GPT and Bard. However, their responses failed to capture the essence of agile, perpetuating misconceptions about its nature. It is crucial to understand that agile is not a methodology, framework, or project management approach. Agile is a mindset that enables individuals and teams to adapt to the rapidly changing world around them.

Understanding Agile

Agile, a term widely used (often incorrectly) in the realm of project management, often gets misunderstood. Agile is neither a methodology nor a specific framework; it is,