Conceptual Practicalities - Agile

We often hear of Agile and understand the conceptual aspects of shifting the way you think to focus more on individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration and responding to change. Yet the hard part is realizing how practical Agile is within everyday life. In this article I will discuss the practicalities found within Agile and how these concepts bleed into life as well as the methodologies.

Let us start with a quick definition

Something that is considered conceptual is a general framework that is based on a specific way of looking at or thinking about a topic or idea. Whereas, something that is considered practical is a specific plan for action that would constitute a way of implementing a framework. So if we consider Agile to be the concept we would see it like an umbrella with practicalities beneath. These practicalities would be considered the methodologies.

Agile is a Mindset, we can practice

As an Agile Coach I see Agile bleeding into my everyday life in many ways, and I am sure you will relate.

How often do you make plans that go awry? When you are in these moments you can choose to be Agile by responding to change which I am sure you often do. An example of this is when you might be at the grocery store and you realize they are out of a specific item you are looking for, but you see a nice substitute. This, is you being Agile. This is a practical way to embody a concept.

How about the times you woke up late to get into the office or to school and you cut your normal routine to ensure you wouldn't be late? This could look like eating a granola bar on the go, rather than having your normal scrambled eggs, toast and bacon.

Agile Methodologies provide practicality to the concepts

Under the umbrella of Agile there are more than 50 known methodologies. This is an astronomical number of ways for us to practice the concepts found within Agile. When deciding to adopt Agile it is important to understand the basics of the methodologies and figure out which one would fit your situation best. As an Agile Coach, I always recommend starting out a bit strict with the chosen methodology as to really glean the benefits and understand what might not make sense for your team. Typically, I recommend doing this for 3-6 months. It takes time to get in the groove of a change and even more time to really understand what makes sense for your situation. The best part about all the methodologies is that they are very clear about how you can adopt the practices found within them.

In closing, I hope you can better understand how Agile isn't just a concept but rather something very practical that can be used in your personal life as well as at work by way of the methodologies.

If you want help picking the correct methodology for you team or ways to look at life with more Agility, please contact me.