Agile vs Fragile: Simplicity = Stability & Speed

Part 11 in a series of 17. To start at the beginning, first read Agile vs Fragile: A Disciplined Approach or an Excuse for Chaos.

The tenth Agile principle focuses on keeping the solution as simple as possible while maximizing value and quality. Agile processes focus on finding the simplest way possible of solving a business problem with quality, not finding the fastest way to code the solution.  Sprints are kept as simple as possible to ensure that all work gets prioritized by using the backlog as the gatekeeper.  In the Fragile environment workload constantly changes in an effort to keep up with changing priorities and constant feature churn.This principle of Agile goes against the basic fabric of many development organizations, who have made a career of showing value by coming up with complex solutions to business problems.  They have become the gatekeepers of the solution, and they are the only ones that truly understand how it works.  The business is relegated to the back seat, as development drives the product.  Many of us have heard of the K.I.S.S. principle, or Keep It Simple Stupid!  This principle applies to almost all aspects of our lives, and our businesses.  It is often the simplest solutions that have the biggest value and impact.  Agile teams fight the urge to over engineer solutions with “sexy” features, in preference for solutions that get the most value into the hands of end users as fast as possible.

There is one last thing about this principle that sticks out to me.  That is the ability of Agile teams to make sure they are maximizing what is not done.  One of the top things that Agile teams minimize is rework, which is a productivity killer.

In the next installment of the blog we will talk about the 11th Agile principle. In the meantime…Keep on testing!