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Category Archives: Agile for Beginners
If you’re Kayaking you’d better be AGILE!
By Brian Lucas This one is for Penelope – rest in peace! “I don’t think people would climb mountains or jump off bridges with parachutes or kayak Class V rapids if those things didn’t offer the brief and horrible illusion … Continue reading
Posted in Agile for Beginners, Agile Thinking, Cooking
Tagged Agile, Agile Thinking, kayaking, Keeping Agile, morality, whitewater
6 Comments
Clear Agile Speak During a Muddy Easter
By Brian Lucas This one is for all the children who did not have an Easter to remember! “Speak clearly, if you speak at all…” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. Jane, an IT friend of mine, who was in town, joined … Continue reading
Simple Agile Stepwise Refinement
By Brian Lucas The one is for everyone who has the opportunity of giving a helping hand and a kind word to someone in need… and does so! “Just do what must be done. This may not be happiness, but … Continue reading
Promote Ideas Not People!
This one is for all the entrepreneurs who have the sense and the courage to reinvent the enterprise and build a better future for everyone without exploiting the workforce in amassing undeserved wealth. “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise, Agile Thinking
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Business Management, CEO, Employee Satisfaction, Innovation, Keeping Agile, Management, Management Theory, Organization Structure
1 Comment
STOP THE INSANITY OF DOGMATIC THINKING IN AGILE!!!
By Brian Lucas This one is for everyone who struggles to change the dogmatic processes that the ignorant employ in a futile attempt to control what they don’t truly understand. “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” ― Rupertus … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise, Agile Thinking, Agile Tool
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Methods, Agile software development, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Keeping Agile, scrum, Software Development
12 Comments
An Agilist’s Manifesto of Friendship!
By Brian Lucas This one is for Jack! Agile runs on confidence, confidence is built on trust, trust is built on friendship. Agile enterprises built on any other foundation are houses of cards ready to collapse at the slightest pressure. … Continue reading
Posted in Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile in the Enterprise, Agile Thinking
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Business Management, Dale Carnegie, Employee Satisfaction, Friendship, How to Win Friends & Influence People, Human Capital, Keeping Agile, Organization
7 Comments
Agilists Call it ETM instead of Hypertasking
By Brian Lucas This one is for Ariana with the raven tresses of Persephone and the mind of Athena. “Make use of time, let not advantage slip.” -William Shakespeare Time management is a problem considerably older than Shakespeare. All of … Continue reading
Salmon Cooked Agile Style in 15 Minutes
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to Polly, who served us a meal fit for a king in 15 minutes. I am forever grateful to the people who have become friends with me through my blog. “…all the charming … Continue reading
Posted in Agile for Beginners, Agile Thinking, Cooking, Uncategorized
Tagged Agile, Agile Thinking, Agility, Food, Keeping Agile, Salmon
6 Comments
To Be an Agilist You Need to be Informed
By Brian Lucas This one is for Mari a truly wonderful person who I am privileged to have met. “The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a … Continue reading
We Could All Learn a Lesson in Agility from Extremophiles
By Brian Lucas This one’s for Wendi, who I believe is “Going Agile!” “The facts of variability, of the struggle for existence, of adaptation to conditions, were notorious enough; but none of us had suspected that the road to the … Continue reading
Proving You’re Agile in under 5 Minutes
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to my good friend Wayne. The future is yours for the taking… “The world is moving so fast these days that the one who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by … Continue reading
Posted in Agile for Beginners, Agile Gaming, Agile Thinking, Chess
Tagged Agile, Agile Thinking, Innovation, Keeping Agile, Logic
14 Comments
Brainstorming your way to being agile
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to Shakia, who would have inspired Byron beyond her physical beauty with the sublime nature of her self-sacrifice. “The enterprise that does not innovate inevitably ages and declines. And in a period of … Continue reading
Turning Damnable Iteration into Elegant Stepwise Refinement in Agile
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to “little Buddy” who passed on before he got a chance to live and “little Bear” in the hope he will live long and in the infinite happiness of puppy-hood all his life. … Continue reading
Epics, Story Mapping and Kanbans Make a Unified Agile View
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to the lovely Jennifer, my dear and loyal friend, who found inspiration, dared to be creative and discovered a new world of possibilities. Your future has a bright star! “When we try to … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise, Agile Tool
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Methods, Agile software development, Agile Thinking, Keeping Agile, Microsoft TFS, scrum, Software Development
17 Comments
Being Agile on a Shoestring
By Brian Lucas Dedicated to Marcie; director, actress, artist, singer, photographer, model and writer. The Muses and the Graces have gifted thee in abundance with beauty and talent. “Managers today have to do more with less, and get better results … Continue reading
Agile Cooking
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to the quintessentially irrepressible Cassandra, the quietly resolute and creative Emilia, the charmingly sociable and persistent Lynette and of course the unusually thoughtful, dryly humorous, chocoholic runner Nicole. One day soon they will … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile for Beginners, Cooking
Tagged Agile, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Keeping Agile
43 Comments
Excerpts from: BUILDING A CULTURE OF ENGAGEMENT: THE IMPORTANCE OF SENIOR LEADERSHIP
By Brian Lucas This is the fifth in a series of excerpts from white papers I am posting due to the gracious generosity of Katie Iorio-Martin in response to the enthusiastic requests for more information by many of her interview readers. … Continue reading
Excerpts from: ENHANCING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: THE ROLE OF THE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR
By Brian Lucas This is the fourth in a series of excerpts from white papers I am posting due to the gracious generosity of Katie Iorio-Martin in response to the enthusiastic requests for more information by many of her interview readers. … Continue reading
A Natural Agilist Proves the Value of Theater
By Brian Lucas Josh Neth is the exceptionally talented artistic director of the Allentown Public Theatre. Josh is marvelously outspoken and passionate about the Theater. He is a remarkably eloquent and intelligent person and to converse with him is a … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile in the Enterprise, Interview with a Natural Agilist
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Thinking, Agility, Allentown, Business Agility, downtown revitalization, Employee Satisfaction, Keeping Agile, Social Conscience, Theater
359 Comments
Excerpts from: EMOTIONAL DRIVERS OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
By Brian Lucas This is the third in a series of excerpts from white papers I am posting due to the gracious generosity of Katie Iorio-Martin in response to the enthusiastic requests for more information by many of her interview readers. … Continue reading
Excerpts from: THE DYNAMICS OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
By Brian Lucas This is the second in a series of excerpts from white papers I am posting due to the gracious generosity of Katie Iorio-Martin in response to the enthusiastic requests for more information by many of her interview readers. … Continue reading
Excerpts from: WHAT DRIVES EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND WHY IT MATTERS
By Brian Lucas This is the first in a series of excerpts from white papers I am posting due to the gracious generosity of Katie Iorio-Martin in response to the enthusiastic requests for more information by many of her interview readers. … Continue reading
Sowing Agile Seeds in the User Community!
By Brian Lucas This one is for sweet Penelope. “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” –Sun-tzu The quote is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that many in IT feel the user community is the enemy. This post … Continue reading
A Natural Agilist Practices What She Preaches
By Brian Lucas Katie Iorio-Martin is the Franchise President and CEO; Partner of Dale Carnegie Training for Southeastern Pennsylvania located at 2000 Valley Forge Circle, Suites 119 & 120 King of Prussia, PA 19406. She has been involved with Dale … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile in the Enterprise, Interview with a Natural Agilist
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Business Management, CEO, Dale Carnegie, Employee Satisfaction, How to Win Friends & Influence People, Interpersonal relationship, Keeping Agile, Management, Win Friends, Women in Business
62 Comments
A Certification does not an Agilist Make
By Brian Lucas This one is for Elaine of the golden hair. Angels above blush at thy beauty. “Socrates gave no diplomas or degrees, and would have subjected any disciple who demanded one to a disconcerting catechism on the nature … Continue reading
Posted in Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Methods, Agile software development, Agile Thinking, Business Management, CSM, Keeping Agile, scrum, Software Development, Software development process
49 Comments
Sailing in an Agile Ship with Vision and Knowledge to Guide You
By Brian Lucas Dedicated to Joseph P. Wisdo (1951-2013) Colleague, Friend and Humanitarian “Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile in the Enterprise
Tagged Agile, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Business Management, CEO, CIO, Employee Satisfaction, Information, Innovation, Keeping Agile, Management, Management Theory, Organization, Technology
74 Comments
An Agile Memorial
By Brian Lucas Dedicated to Ed – Friend, Familyman and Hero “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Too often today we fail even if we have the talent, because we think conditions are not perfect … Continue reading
Posted in Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners
Tagged Agile, Agile Methods, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Cigar, Innovation, Keeping Agile, Management, Management Theory, Marine
27 Comments
A Natural Agilist Returns to His Roots
By Brian Lucas George Santos is the epitome of the rising tide of executives leaving the large corporate world. They are striking out on their own to become the foundation of a new emergent business economy. They represent a new … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile for Beginners, Agile in the Enterprise, Interview with a Natural Agilist
Tagged Agile, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Business Managment, Employee Satisfaction, Keeping Agile, Lehigh Valley, Management, Management 3.0, Management Theory, Organization
46 Comments
13 Keeping Agile Predictions for 2013
By Brian Lucas “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” – Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra Don’t look for sources[1] here! My predictions, after all, are my predictions. Follow them and either praise or vilify me at the year’s … Continue reading
Being Agile in the Face of Hurricane Sandy
By Brian Lucas This one is for Jessica! – Brian “The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know … Continue reading
The Night of the Deadly Micromanager
By Brian Lucas “Artie, I think we managed to get ourselves in a little trouble!” –James West speaking tongue-in-cheek to Artemus Gordon when confronted by arch-villain Miguelito Loveless, a brilliant, but megalomaniacal little person. In our rushed working environment today, … Continue reading
A Natural Agilist Makes Mangia a Marvelous Experience!
By Brian Lucas John Vernotica is a natural agilist who makes setting up a 900 person event as simple as the word “mangia”. In a little over a year, he has grown the mangia events that he hosts from a … Continue reading
Is Agile Really Mission Impossible?
By Brian Lucas “Your mission should you decide to accept it…” voice of Robert Cleveland “Bob” Johnson. Acted to the theme music of Lalo Schifrin, is Agile really mission impossible? You are in a tense situation. Profits are down or non-existent. … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Business Agility, Business Management, Keeping Agile, Management Theory, Mission Impossible, Organization, Organization Structure, scrum, Software Development
42 Comments
What Every CIO Should Know about Agile Architectures
By Brian Lucas Agile concepts, techniques and technologies are much in demand today. Many organizations have astounding success with agile, while others experience failure, sometimes horrifically. Usually agile fails in these cases from improper application of the concepts or lack … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Application Architecture, Business Agility, CEO, Enterprise architecture, Keeping Agile, Management, Open Group Architecture Framework, Organization, Organization Structure, scrum, Software Development
30 Comments
My Agile Bookshelf
By Brian Lucas To all my loyal readers and hopefully many more new ones; you have asked many times for agile book recommendations. Well here they are! I usually purchase ecopies of books like this since they are easier to … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile Methods, Business Agility, Business Management, Keeping Agile, Management 3.0, Management Theory, Microsoft TFS, Organization, scrum, Software Development
16 Comments
A Natural Agilist finds a cure for the Pareto Principle at a hospital
By Brian Lucas Wayne Bruch is a hyper productive, natural agilist who has found a way to improve both process and productivity by 10% a year for the last 5 years by focusing on the key 20% of the Pareto Principle. … Continue reading
Is Agile a Return to Common Sense?
By Brian Lucas “Common sense is seeing things as they are; and doing things as they ought to be.” –Harriet Beecher Stowe A post of mine, “HCM, HIM and Agile are Perfect Together“, had the following reply from Dave Francavilla: Brian, Very … Continue reading
Posted in Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile for Software Development, Agile in the Enterprise, Interview with a Natural Agilist
Tagged Agile, Agile Methods, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Business Management, Founding Fathers, History, Keeping Agile, Logic, Management, Socrates, Thomas Jefferson, Time Travel
78 Comments
Using Microsoft’s Team Foundation Server to Your Agile Best
By: Dave Smith and Brian Lucas Since I posted the first set of tips about TFS usage for agile, I received so many requests for additional information that my friend and colleague Dave and I happily collaborated on a list … Continue reading
Tips for Using Microsoft TFS with Agile
By Brian Lucas While I don’t, as a policy, generally make product recommendations; I do feel comfortable offering tips and tricks about a particular tools use. Particularly a very popular one. Microsoft’s Team Foundation Server (TFS) is very popular and … Continue reading
What do you do with an entrenched skeptic?
By Brian Lucas “Facts are stubborn things; whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” – JOHN ADAMS What can you do when someone honestly doesn’t … Continue reading
A Tale of Two Companies – A glimpse of life in an agile business versus a non-agile enterprise.
By Brian Lucas “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” – Benjamin Franklin If you look at the history of people and progress, you’ll see three types of people: those who are … Continue reading
Posted in A Tale of Two Companies, Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile for Beginners, Agile in the Enterprise, Employee Suggestions
Tagged Agile, Agile Methods, Agile Thinking, Agility, Business Agility, Business Managment, Employee Satisfaction, Human Capital, Keeping Agile, Management, Organization, scrum, Software Development
11 Comments
Debunking the Case Against Agile
By Brian Lucas “A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everybody knows.” William James (1842-1910) American philosopher and psychologist. The Case Against Agile: Ten Perennial Management Objections, which was … Continue reading
My first agile project
By Brian Lucas “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” -Lao-tzu I have received so many emails and phone calls (how did all these people get my cell phone number) since I started this blog. The majority … Continue reading
So what is Agile?
By Brian Lucas I am dedicating my first post to Michael Milutis, who encouraged me to begin blogging and sharing the small store of wisdom I have gathered over the years. Here’s to you Mike! “By three methods we may … Continue reading
Keeping Agile™ with Brian Lucas 