Preamble

In the high-velocity world of software development, the methodology we adopt can either empower teams to deliver quality work efficiently—or mire them in bureaucracy. While Agile with Scrum is widely practiced, it’s not without challenges. Teams often face a barrage of meetings, rigid ceremonies, and an overemphasis on story points that shift focus away from meaningful progress.

What’s needed is a more streamlined, adaptive approach—one that distills the best elements from various frameworks and refocuses on outcomes. The result? A workflow that’s leaner, more engaging, and ultimately more satisfying for everyone involved.

Core Values

Efficiency Over Ceremony

Value the elimination of unnecessary meetings and ceremonies that do not directly contribute to the progress of the project. Time spent in meetings should be minimal, with a focus on clear communication and actionable outcomes.

Quality Over Quantity

Prioritize delivering high-quality work over the volume of output measured by arbitrary metrics like story points. The focus should be on achieving meaningful progress rather than hitting superficial targets.

Flexibility Over Rigidity

Embrace a flexible approach that allows teams to adapt processes to fit the needs of the project. The methodology should serve the team, not the other way around. Whether it's drawing from Waterfall, Agile, or Lean, the goal is to use what works best for the situation at hand.

Focus Over Distraction

Create an environment where teams can focus on their work without constant interruptions. This means minimizing distractions from meetings, excessive planning, or any other activity that detracts from productive work time.

Autonomy Over Micro-Management

Teams are trusted to manage their work effectively. Rather than imposing a rigid structure, empower teams to make decisions and take ownership of their projects.

Simplicity Over Complexity

Strive for simplicity in processes. Over-complicated workflows, tools, and procedures should be avoided in favor of straightforward approaches that everyone can understand and follow.

Principles

Lean Communication

Meetings should be brief, focused, and only held when necessary. Clear communication channels should be established, but they should not interrupt the flow of work.

Adaptable Methodology

Recognize that no single methodology is a one-size-fits-all solution. Teams should be encouraged to adapt their approach based on the project's needs and challenges, pulling from various methodologies as appropriate.

Outcome-Oriented

The success of a project should be measured by the quality of the deliverables and the satisfaction of the stakeholders, not by adherence to process or the completion of arbitrary metrics.

Continuous Improvement

Commit to regularly reviewing and refining processes to ensure they remain efficient and effective. Feedback from the team should drive these improvements, ensuring that the methodology evolves to meet their needs.