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Tag Archives: Keeping Agile
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
Are Organizations Really Less Agile Today?
By Brian Lucas The one is for Brad – conversationalist, satirist, humorist, historian, logician, craftsman, military strategist, but most important of all – my friend! “Once you have something so deeply infused in your culture and your brand, it would be very … Continue reading
Your not agile if you are just parroting!
By Brian Lucas The one is for my friend RC, who has gone through life helping more people than anyone can count! “Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that is not true.” – H. … 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
WhatWentWrong@healthcare.gov
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to Sally, “Di politica nunquam nos!” “Truth never damages a cause that is just.” ― Mahatma Gandhi By now most of America knows that the healthcare.gov website – one of the main delivery portals of … 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
Lack of Agility by CEOs to Blame for Slow Recovery
By Brian Lucas This one is for my good friend Anthony to give his active mind a new opportunity for investing. “When you get the majority of the economy predictable, you’re gonna get faster job growth, and companies investing more. … Continue reading
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
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
True Agile Managers make one feel good
By Brian Lucas This one is for JPD! “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou Those of us in business … Continue reading
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
The Era of Agile Management Has Finally Arrived
By Brian Lucas “Good management consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” -John D. Rockefeller[1] “Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile in the Enterprise
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Agile management, Agile Thinking, Business Agility, Business Management, C Level, Human Capital, Innovation, Keeping Agile, Management, Management Theory, Organization, Organization Structure
120 Comments
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
Mission Impossible Really was Agile
By Brian Lucas This one is for you Fran! “Good morning Mr. Briggs/Phelps[1], the situation in…Your mission should you decide to accept it is to…” This is a second perspective on Mission Impossible (MI), one of my all-time favorite TV … 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
Life in the C – Lane will surely make you lose your mind
By Brian Lucas “Life in the fast lane, surely make you lose your mind. Life in the fast lane, everything all the time.” – the Eagles Just like the title of the Eagles classic tune, “Life in the fast lane”, life … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile in the Enterprise
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Business Agility, Business Management, C Level, CEO, Employee Satisfaction, Finance, Human Capital, Keeping Agile, Management, Management Theory, Organization, Organization Structure
98 Comments
The Imperative of having an Agile Organization Structure
By Brian Lucas This one is dedicated to Bill Gore and all those who came after him like Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner. “Change before you have to”. –Jack Welch The stress that all organizations are under today is unprecedented. … Continue reading
Posted in Agile and Strategic Planning, Agile Arguments, Agile in the Enterprise, Agile Thinking
Tagged Agile, Agile Adoption, Alvin Toffler, Business Agility, Business Management, C Level, CEO, Keeping Agile, Management, Management 3.0, Management Theory, Organization, Organization Structure, scrum
109 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
A Natural Agilist Finds a Home with Main Line Health’s “Healthy” Agile Organization
By Brian Lucas Main Line Health is a shining star of agility in Southeastern Pennsylvania’s health care industry. In fact, it is one of the most progressive health care organizations in the country. Main Line Health is not a small enterprise; … Continue reading
Interviews with a Natural Agilist
By Brian Lucas “Natural ability without education has more often raised a man to glory and virtue than education without natural ability.” – Marcus Aurelius “When we see a natural style, we are astonished and charmed; for we expected to … 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
HCM, HIM and Agile are Perfect Together
By Brian Lucas In the recent past, I was asked to address the subject of human capital management, the emergence of human interaction management and their effect on agile. The fact is that the people element in the system is … 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
Keeping Agile™ with Brian Lucas 