#NoProjects - Teams over Projects

allan kelly
allan kellySoftware & the business: Consulting, Coaching & Training (for Agile) at Software Strategy Ltd.
#NoProjects
Teams Over Projects
Allan Kelly
allan@allankelly.net
http://www.softwarestrategy.co.uk
Twitter: @allankelly.net
Agile on the Beach
September 2015
#BeyondProjects
Allan Kelly…
Chapters in…
Business Analysis and Leadership, Pullan & Archer 2013
97 Things Every Programmer Should Know, Henney, 2010
Context Encapsulation in Pattern Languages of Program
Design, vol #5, 2006
 Consulting on software
development & strategy
 Training for Agile
Author
– Xanpan: Team Centric Agile Software Development
https://leanpub.com/xanpan (2014-2015)
– Business Patterns for Software Developers (2012)
– Changing Software Development: Learning to be Agile
(2008)
The problem with projects….
… and I don’t mean this in a small way
Project Model Assumptions
1. You know what you want
• And have perfect foresight
2. Value is knowable
• And is known before start
3. There is no value in flexibility
i.e. Options are valueless
These assumptions do not
hold in software development
Conflict and….
Goal displacement
– Chasing date over benefit
– Chasing time over benefit
– Chasing cost over benefit
– Chasing features over benefit
The Project model leads to…
End Dates damage quality
Short term thinking leads to…
Corner cutting
Known & unfixed bugs
Residual technical debt
Knowledge lost
#NoProjects - Teams over Projects
Projects are big batch of work
• Project model is optimized for big
• Used on small pieces of work it inefficient
• Projects push big decisions up…
to big men
with big cheque books
top-down authority
Software development…
• Does NOT have economies of Scale
• Development has DISECONOMIES of scale
Milk is cheapest
in BIG cartons
Software is
cheapest in
lots of small
cartons
And small cartons
of software
reduce risk
Consider a large project
Against several small
projects
Project A: Risk = 30% Value at risk = £1m
Therefore risk weighted value = £300,000
Prj B: Risk = 15%
Value @ risk = £½m
Therefore … = £75,000
Prj C: Risk = 15%
Value @risk = £½m
Therefore … = £75,000
E: Risk = 6%
@risk = £200k
Therefore = £12k
F: Risk = 6%
@risk = £200k
Therefore = £12k
G: Risk = 6%
@risk = £200k
Therefore = £12k
H: Risk = 6%
@risk = £200k
Therefore = £12k
I: Risk = 6%
@risk = £200k
Therefore = £12k
Software isn’t temporary
Projects are temporary
A project is….
Project Management Institute - http://pm4id.org/1/2/
"PMI defines a project by its two key
characteristics:
• it is temporary and
• undertaken to create a product, service, or
result that is unique."
A Project is…
“A temporary organization that is needed to
produce a unique and predefined outcome or
result at a pre-specified time using
predetermined resources.”
PRINCE2 definition
of project
Successful software doesn’t stop
Successful software continues to change
Only dead software has an end-date
Successful
software?
Moodle
Weekly downloads: 23,239
Last update: 3 days (16 Jan)
Web Torrent
Weekly downloads: 0
Last update: 17 April 2013 (9mths)
PerlLORD
Weekly downloads: 0
Last update: 25 Feb 2013 (11mths)
1) If they use it,
it will change
2) Only Dead
Software Stops
changing
Data from SourceForge search
for “WebBrowser” 19 Jan 2014
Temporary organizations
The most destructive idea known to
software development
Temporary Organization?
• Storming
• Norming
• Forming
• Performing
• Destroying
}Takes time &
money!
Why destroy performing teams?
Why spend that money?
Why loose knowledge?
Temporary organizations
Disbanding teams destroys
– Knowledge
– Capability
– Performance
The most destructive idea known to software
development
Corporate Psychopathy
Process by which corporations
disband performing teams and
release staff
A Match Made in Hell
Software
Development
Project
Management
Software is forever
Projects are
TEMPORARY
So…
• Organize to do lots of small
• Optimize for small batch size
• Organize around that which is stable
• Plan for continuity
Continuous is not Temporary
Continuous flow
Continuous improvement
Continuous delivery
Continuous benefit
Waterfall 2.0
Jonathon’s Run Fall, Pennsylvania by Hubert Stoffels (http://flickr.com/photos/22195940@N00)
Creative Commons License
Continuous Flow
Continuous flow
• Work in the small
• Get good at doing small things
– Deliver small increments of value
– And evaluate results
• Go fast
• Value seeking
• Repeat, don’t stop
Base work around stable teams
Teams Over Projects
Agile Manifesto
Teams over projects
Stable teams…
• Keep teams together
• Flow work to the teams
• Work in the small
• Work continually
• Demonstrate value
#NoProjects - Teams over Projects
Organize by business
stream & team
• Aim for stable teams & continuity
• Close to business
• Manage queues within capacity
Stream #1 Dev Team
Team is a Whole
• Testers are first class team members
– Embedded with team (always)
• Product Owners / Managers / BA are team
members too
Dev Team –
Coders,
Testers, etc. …
Requirements
go In
Working Software
comes out
MVT - Minimally Viable Team
Start with the smallest team possible
Beware Conway’s Law
Start small & grow organically as needed
Teams – Ameba!
• Start small
– 1, prototype or research
– 2, get going: Engineer & BA
• Grow
• Split
• Focus team
– 1 product/area
• Contains all skills
Vertical teams
• Staff with all needed skills
– Coders
– Testers
– Product Analysts
– Managers
• Authority
– To do what is needed
• Responsible for delivery
Horizontal
Teams
Business Logic
Database
Test
User Interface
Business Analysis
Vertical
Teams
Team & Duration
Prefer
– Short and Fast
Over
– Long and Thin
• Faster time to market
• Higher Rate On Investment
• Less resource contention
• Requires clear prioritization & project closure
Beyond Projects
It ain’t ever over
BAU is not a dirty work
allan kelly
allan@allankelly.net
www.softwarestrategy.co.uk
Twitter: @allankellynet
1 of 38

Recommended

Planning for Value by
Planning for ValuePlanning for Value
Planning for Valueallan kelly
1.3K views56 slides
Agile Outside Software: Does Agile work outside of sofware? #AOSW by
Agile Outside Software: Does Agile work outside of sofware? #AOSWAgile Outside Software: Does Agile work outside of sofware? #AOSW
Agile Outside Software: Does Agile work outside of sofware? #AOSWallan kelly
2.4K views45 slides
What isagile by
What isagileWhat isagile
What isagileallan kelly
1.3K views31 slides
#NoProjects - Beyond Projects by
#NoProjects - Beyond Projects#NoProjects - Beyond Projects
#NoProjects - Beyond Projectsallan kelly
3.4K views58 slides
No Projects - Beyond Projects (Refreshed version) by
No Projects - Beyond Projects (Refreshed version)No Projects - Beyond Projects (Refreshed version)
No Projects - Beyond Projects (Refreshed version)allan kelly
6.8K views51 slides
Beyond projects by
Beyond projectsBeyond projects
Beyond projectsallan kelly
2.2K views39 slides

More Related Content

What's hot

Agile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so far by
Agile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so farAgile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so far
Agile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so farLeandro Pinter
292 views41 slides
Scaling Agile: Going Beyond the Daily Scrum by
Scaling Agile: Going Beyond the Daily ScrumScaling Agile: Going Beyond the Daily Scrum
Scaling Agile: Going Beyond the Daily ScrumPM Reston Luncheon Series (PMIWDC)
165 views58 slides
Lean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps Mindset by
Lean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps MindsetLean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps Mindset
Lean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps MindsetFadi Stephan
3.3K views77 slides
GAC - Agile and Scrum Training by
GAC - Agile and Scrum TrainingGAC - Agile and Scrum Training
GAC - Agile and Scrum TrainingRasmus Runberg
815 views85 slides
Introducing Agile Methodologies by
Introducing Agile MethodologiesIntroducing Agile Methodologies
Introducing Agile MethodologiesStfalcon Meetups
1.4K views37 slides
Software Development is Upside Down by
Software Development is Upside DownSoftware Development is Upside Down
Software Development is Upside Downallan kelly
5.1K views44 slides

What's hot(20)

Agile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so far by Leandro Pinter
Agile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so farAgile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so far
Agile Australia 2017 - Transforming ING Direct - Our journey so far
Leandro Pinter292 views
Lean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps Mindset by Fadi Stephan
Lean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps MindsetLean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps Mindset
Lean Discovery, Agile Delivery & the DevOps Mindset
Fadi Stephan3.3K views
GAC - Agile and Scrum Training by Rasmus Runberg
GAC - Agile and Scrum TrainingGAC - Agile and Scrum Training
GAC - Agile and Scrum Training
Rasmus Runberg815 views
Software Development is Upside Down by allan kelly
Software Development is Upside DownSoftware Development is Upside Down
Software Development is Upside Down
allan kelly5.1K views
Creating a culture of continuous delivery & value by allan kelly
Creating a culture of continuous delivery & valueCreating a culture of continuous delivery & value
Creating a culture of continuous delivery & value
allan kelly936 views
Agile ME 2018 - Agile That Matters by Rasmus Runberg
Agile ME 2018 - Agile That MattersAgile ME 2018 - Agile That Matters
Agile ME 2018 - Agile That Matters
Rasmus Runberg359 views
From Divided to United - Aligning Technical and Business Teams by LeanKit
From Divided to United - Aligning Technical and Business TeamsFrom Divided to United - Aligning Technical and Business Teams
From Divided to United - Aligning Technical and Business Teams
LeanKit534 views
Agile Australia 2018 - Product Roadmaps in the self-driven car age by Leandro Pinter
Agile Australia 2018 - Product Roadmaps in the self-driven car ageAgile Australia 2018 - Product Roadmaps in the self-driven car age
Agile Australia 2018 - Product Roadmaps in the self-driven car age
Leandro Pinter169 views
Agile: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Webinar by Clarke Ching Agile - Septe... by MARRIS Consulting
Agile: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Webinar by Clarke Ching Agile - Septe...Agile: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Webinar by Clarke Ching Agile - Septe...
Agile: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Webinar by Clarke Ching Agile - Septe...
MARRIS Consulting121 views
The End of Projects & what to do about it by allan kelly
The End of Projects & what to do about itThe End of Projects & what to do about it
The End of Projects & what to do about it
allan kelly964 views
LLAMA Intro to Agile May 2019 Download by TorranceLearning
LLAMA Intro to Agile May 2019 DownloadLLAMA Intro to Agile May 2019 Download
LLAMA Intro to Agile May 2019 Download
TorranceLearning589 views
Lean-Agile PMO by LeanKit
Lean-Agile PMOLean-Agile PMO
Lean-Agile PMO
LeanKit6.2K views
12 principles for Agile Development by Julien Henzelin
12 principles for Agile Development 12 principles for Agile Development
12 principles for Agile Development
Julien Henzelin22K views
The Three Things by AgileDenver
The Three ThingsThe Three Things
The Three Things
AgileDenver3.8K views

Similar to #NoProjects - Teams over Projects

Beyond Projects: why projects are wrong and what to do instead by
Beyond Projects: why projects are wrong and what to do insteadBeyond Projects: why projects are wrong and what to do instead
Beyond Projects: why projects are wrong and what to do insteadCambridge Product Management Network
368 views56 slides
No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version) by
No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version)No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version)
No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version)allan kelly
1.5K views37 slides
Project Management 101 by
Project Management 101Project Management 101
Project Management 101Ryan Campbell
34 views38 slides
#Project Management fundamentals - By SN Panigrahi by
#Project Management fundamentals - By SN Panigrahi#Project Management fundamentals - By SN Panigrahi
#Project Management fundamentals - By SN PanigrahiSN Panigrahi, PMP
442 views133 slides
Professional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in Agile by
Professional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in AgileProfessional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in Agile
Professional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in AgileNitor
1.1K views35 slides
2 a introduction to agile by
2 a introduction to agile2 a introduction to agile
2 a introduction to agileqtntpam
2K views134 slides

Similar to #NoProjects - Teams over Projects(20)

No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version) by allan kelly
No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version)No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version)
No Projects / Beyond Projects (short version)
allan kelly1.5K views
#Project Management fundamentals - By SN Panigrahi by SN Panigrahi, PMP
#Project Management fundamentals - By SN Panigrahi#Project Management fundamentals - By SN Panigrahi
#Project Management fundamentals - By SN Panigrahi
SN Panigrahi, PMP442 views
Professional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in Agile by Nitor
Professional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in AgileProfessional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in Agile
Professional Project Manager Should Be Proficient in Agile
Nitor1.1K views
2 a introduction to agile by qtntpam
2 a introduction to agile2 a introduction to agile
2 a introduction to agile
qtntpam2K views
Project Management by Lean Teams
Project ManagementProject Management
Project Management
Lean Teams654 views
NUS-ISS Learning Day 2016 - Improve IT Project Management and other IT Proces... by NUS-ISS
NUS-ISS Learning Day 2016 - Improve IT Project Management and other IT Proces...NUS-ISS Learning Day 2016 - Improve IT Project Management and other IT Proces...
NUS-ISS Learning Day 2016 - Improve IT Project Management and other IT Proces...
NUS-ISS505 views
20130821 agility an_iron_fist_in_a_velvet_glove by HSBC Private Bank
20130821 agility an_iron_fist_in_a_velvet_glove20130821 agility an_iron_fist_in_a_velvet_glove
20130821 agility an_iron_fist_in_a_velvet_glove
HSBC Private Bank549 views
Improving software development at scale llkd14 by Andy Carmichael
Improving software development at scale llkd14Improving software development at scale llkd14
Improving software development at scale llkd14
Andy Carmichael588 views
Improving software development at scale - promise and pitfalls #llkd14 by Andy Carmichael
Improving software development at scale - promise and pitfalls #llkd14Improving software development at scale - promise and pitfalls #llkd14
Improving software development at scale - promise and pitfalls #llkd14
Andy Carmichael1.3K views
Project Management Concepts (from PMBOK 5th Ed) by Jeremy Jay Lim
Project Management Concepts (from PMBOK 5th Ed)Project Management Concepts (from PMBOK 5th Ed)
Project Management Concepts (from PMBOK 5th Ed)
Jeremy Jay Lim198.9K views
Agile adoption julen c. mohanty by Julen Mohanty
Agile adoption   julen c. mohantyAgile adoption   julen c. mohanty
Agile adoption julen c. mohanty
Julen Mohanty818 views
Budgeting in the Era of Agile by Gerrit Beine
Budgeting in the Era of AgileBudgeting in the Era of Agile
Budgeting in the Era of Agile
Gerrit Beine1.8K views
#Fundamental understanding of agile - By SN Panigrahi by SN Panigrahi, PMP
#Fundamental understanding of agile - By SN Panigrahi#Fundamental understanding of agile - By SN Panigrahi
#Fundamental understanding of agile - By SN Panigrahi
SN Panigrahi, PMP536 views

More from allan kelly

Planning for Value: How much? When? by
Planning for Value: How much? When?Planning for Value: How much? When?
Planning for Value: How much? When?allan kelly
1.6K views47 slides
Planning for Value: how much? when? by
Planning for Value: how much? when?Planning for Value: how much? when?
Planning for Value: how much? when?allan kelly
389 views43 slides
Every business a software business by
Every business a software businessEvery business a software business
Every business a software businessallan kelly
2K views25 slides
Agile Contracts by
Agile ContractsAgile Contracts
Agile Contractsallan kelly
6.5K views39 slides
Agile Outside Software by
Agile Outside SoftwareAgile Outside Software
Agile Outside Softwareallan kelly
8.5K views40 slides
Agile basics by
Agile basicsAgile basics
Agile basicsallan kelly
1.5K views35 slides

More from allan kelly(18)

Planning for Value: How much? When? by allan kelly
Planning for Value: How much? When?Planning for Value: How much? When?
Planning for Value: How much? When?
allan kelly1.6K views
Planning for Value: how much? when? by allan kelly
Planning for Value: how much? when?Planning for Value: how much? when?
Planning for Value: how much? when?
allan kelly389 views
Every business a software business by allan kelly
Every business a software businessEvery business a software business
Every business a software business
allan kelly2K views
Agile Contracts by allan kelly
Agile ContractsAgile Contracts
Agile Contracts
allan kelly6.5K views
Agile Outside Software by allan kelly
Agile Outside SoftwareAgile Outside Software
Agile Outside Software
allan kelly8.5K views
Do It Right, Then Do The Right Thing (Riga) by allan kelly
Do It Right, Then Do The Right Thing (Riga)Do It Right, Then Do The Right Thing (Riga)
Do It Right, Then Do The Right Thing (Riga)
allan kelly1.5K views
Dialogue Sheets for Retrospectives (Riga) by allan kelly
Dialogue Sheets for Retrospectives (Riga)Dialogue Sheets for Retrospectives (Riga)
Dialogue Sheets for Retrospectives (Riga)
allan kelly1.4K views
Conways Law & Continuous Delivery by allan kelly
Conways Law & Continuous DeliveryConways Law & Continuous Delivery
Conways Law & Continuous Delivery
allan kelly9.8K views
Xanpan extended presentation by allan kelly
Xanpan extended presentationXanpan extended presentation
Xanpan extended presentation
allan kelly3.9K views
Conway's Law & Continious Delivery by allan kelly
Conway's Law & Continious DeliveryConway's Law & Continious Delivery
Conway's Law & Continious Delivery
allan kelly3.6K views
Requirements: Whose job are they anyway? by allan kelly
Requirements: Whose job are they anyway?Requirements: Whose job are they anyway?
Requirements: Whose job are they anyway?
allan kelly1.4K views
Requirements: Whose job are they anyway? by allan kelly
Requirements: Whose job are they anyway?Requirements: Whose job are they anyway?
Requirements: Whose job are they anyway?
allan kelly1.3K views
Patterns and Pattern Thinking for Analysis and Innovation by allan kelly
Patterns and Pattern Thinking for Analysis and InnovationPatterns and Pattern Thinking for Analysis and Innovation
Patterns and Pattern Thinking for Analysis and Innovation
allan kelly2.6K views
Xanpan - what do you get if you cross XP and Kanban? by allan kelly
Xanpan - what do you get if you cross XP and Kanban?Xanpan - what do you get if you cross XP and Kanban?
Xanpan - what do you get if you cross XP and Kanban?
allan kelly2.8K views
Do It Right then Do the Right Thing by allan kelly
Do It Right then Do the Right ThingDo It Right then Do the Right Thing
Do It Right then Do the Right Thing
allan kelly2.6K views
Is there a role for Project Managers and Business Analysts in Agile? by allan kelly
Is there a role for Project Managers and Business Analysts in Agile?Is there a role for Project Managers and Business Analysts in Agile?
Is there a role for Project Managers and Business Analysts in Agile?
allan kelly3.4K views

Recently uploaded

JioEngage_Presentation.pptx by
JioEngage_Presentation.pptxJioEngage_Presentation.pptx
JioEngage_Presentation.pptxadmin125455
9 views4 slides
Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration... by
Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration...Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration...
Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration...Flexsin
5 views12 slides
Flask-Python by
Flask-PythonFlask-Python
Flask-PythonTriloki Gupta
10 views12 slides
.NET Deserialization Attacks by
.NET Deserialization Attacks.NET Deserialization Attacks
.NET Deserialization AttacksDharmalingam Ganesan
7 views50 slides
Winter Projects GDSC IITK by
Winter Projects GDSC IITKWinter Projects GDSC IITK
Winter Projects GDSC IITKSahilSingh368445
416 views60 slides
Techstack Ltd at Slush 2023, Ukrainian delegation by
Techstack Ltd at Slush 2023, Ukrainian delegationTechstack Ltd at Slush 2023, Ukrainian delegation
Techstack Ltd at Slush 2023, Ukrainian delegationViktoriiaOpanasenko
7 views4 slides

Recently uploaded(20)

JioEngage_Presentation.pptx by admin125455
JioEngage_Presentation.pptxJioEngage_Presentation.pptx
JioEngage_Presentation.pptx
admin1254559 views
Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration... by Flexsin
Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration...Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration...
Streamlining Your Business Operations with Enterprise Application Integration...
Flexsin 5 views
Quality Engineer: A Day in the Life by John Valentino
Quality Engineer: A Day in the LifeQuality Engineer: A Day in the Life
Quality Engineer: A Day in the Life
John Valentino10 views
How Workforce Management Software Empowers SMEs | TraQSuite by TraQSuite
How Workforce Management Software Empowers SMEs | TraQSuiteHow Workforce Management Software Empowers SMEs | TraQSuite
How Workforce Management Software Empowers SMEs | TraQSuite
TraQSuite7 views
Advanced API Mocking Techniques Using Wiremock by Dimpy Adhikary
Advanced API Mocking Techniques Using WiremockAdvanced API Mocking Techniques Using Wiremock
Advanced API Mocking Techniques Using Wiremock
Dimpy Adhikary5 views
aATP - New Correlation Confirmation Feature.pptx by EsatEsenek1
aATP - New Correlation Confirmation Feature.pptxaATP - New Correlation Confirmation Feature.pptx
aATP - New Correlation Confirmation Feature.pptx
EsatEsenek1222 views
Supercharging your Python Development Environment with VS Code and Dev Contai... by Dawn Wages
Supercharging your Python Development Environment with VS Code and Dev Contai...Supercharging your Python Development Environment with VS Code and Dev Contai...
Supercharging your Python Development Environment with VS Code and Dev Contai...
Dawn Wages5 views
Automated Testing of Microsoft Power BI Reports by RTTS
Automated Testing of Microsoft Power BI ReportsAutomated Testing of Microsoft Power BI Reports
Automated Testing of Microsoft Power BI Reports
RTTS11 views
Ports-and-Adapters Architecture for Embedded HMI by Burkhard Stubert
Ports-and-Adapters Architecture for Embedded HMIPorts-and-Adapters Architecture for Embedded HMI
Ports-and-Adapters Architecture for Embedded HMI
Burkhard Stubert35 views
Introduction to Git Source Control by John Valentino
Introduction to Git Source ControlIntroduction to Git Source Control
Introduction to Git Source Control
John Valentino8 views
ADDO_2022_CICID_Tom_Halpin.pdf by TomHalpin9
ADDO_2022_CICID_Tom_Halpin.pdfADDO_2022_CICID_Tom_Halpin.pdf
ADDO_2022_CICID_Tom_Halpin.pdf
TomHalpin96 views
FOSSLight Community Day 2023-11-30 by Shane Coughlan
FOSSLight Community Day 2023-11-30FOSSLight Community Day 2023-11-30
FOSSLight Community Day 2023-11-30
Shane Coughlan8 views

#NoProjects - Teams over Projects

  • 1. #NoProjects Teams Over Projects Allan Kelly allan@allankelly.net http://www.softwarestrategy.co.uk Twitter: @allankelly.net Agile on the Beach September 2015 #BeyondProjects
  • 2. Allan Kelly… Chapters in… Business Analysis and Leadership, Pullan & Archer 2013 97 Things Every Programmer Should Know, Henney, 2010 Context Encapsulation in Pattern Languages of Program Design, vol #5, 2006  Consulting on software development & strategy  Training for Agile Author – Xanpan: Team Centric Agile Software Development https://leanpub.com/xanpan (2014-2015) – Business Patterns for Software Developers (2012) – Changing Software Development: Learning to be Agile (2008)
  • 3. The problem with projects…. … and I don’t mean this in a small way
  • 4. Project Model Assumptions 1. You know what you want • And have perfect foresight 2. Value is knowable • And is known before start 3. There is no value in flexibility i.e. Options are valueless These assumptions do not hold in software development
  • 5. Conflict and…. Goal displacement – Chasing date over benefit – Chasing time over benefit – Chasing cost over benefit – Chasing features over benefit The Project model leads to…
  • 6. End Dates damage quality Short term thinking leads to… Corner cutting Known & unfixed bugs Residual technical debt Knowledge lost
  • 8. Projects are big batch of work • Project model is optimized for big • Used on small pieces of work it inefficient • Projects push big decisions up… to big men with big cheque books top-down authority
  • 9. Software development… • Does NOT have economies of Scale • Development has DISECONOMIES of scale
  • 10. Milk is cheapest in BIG cartons Software is cheapest in lots of small cartons And small cartons of software reduce risk
  • 11. Consider a large project Against several small projects Project A: Risk = 30% Value at risk = £1m Therefore risk weighted value = £300,000 Prj B: Risk = 15% Value @ risk = £½m Therefore … = £75,000 Prj C: Risk = 15% Value @risk = £½m Therefore … = £75,000 E: Risk = 6% @risk = £200k Therefore = £12k F: Risk = 6% @risk = £200k Therefore = £12k G: Risk = 6% @risk = £200k Therefore = £12k H: Risk = 6% @risk = £200k Therefore = £12k I: Risk = 6% @risk = £200k Therefore = £12k
  • 13. A project is…. Project Management Institute - http://pm4id.org/1/2/ "PMI defines a project by its two key characteristics: • it is temporary and • undertaken to create a product, service, or result that is unique."
  • 14. A Project is… “A temporary organization that is needed to produce a unique and predefined outcome or result at a pre-specified time using predetermined resources.” PRINCE2 definition of project
  • 15. Successful software doesn’t stop Successful software continues to change Only dead software has an end-date
  • 16. Successful software? Moodle Weekly downloads: 23,239 Last update: 3 days (16 Jan) Web Torrent Weekly downloads: 0 Last update: 17 April 2013 (9mths) PerlLORD Weekly downloads: 0 Last update: 25 Feb 2013 (11mths) 1) If they use it, it will change 2) Only Dead Software Stops changing Data from SourceForge search for “WebBrowser” 19 Jan 2014
  • 17. Temporary organizations The most destructive idea known to software development
  • 18. Temporary Organization? • Storming • Norming • Forming • Performing • Destroying }Takes time & money! Why destroy performing teams? Why spend that money? Why loose knowledge?
  • 19. Temporary organizations Disbanding teams destroys – Knowledge – Capability – Performance The most destructive idea known to software development
  • 20. Corporate Psychopathy Process by which corporations disband performing teams and release staff
  • 21. A Match Made in Hell Software Development Project Management Software is forever Projects are TEMPORARY
  • 22. So… • Organize to do lots of small • Optimize for small batch size • Organize around that which is stable • Plan for continuity
  • 23. Continuous is not Temporary Continuous flow Continuous improvement Continuous delivery Continuous benefit
  • 24. Waterfall 2.0 Jonathon’s Run Fall, Pennsylvania by Hubert Stoffels (http://flickr.com/photos/22195940@N00) Creative Commons License Continuous Flow
  • 25. Continuous flow • Work in the small • Get good at doing small things – Deliver small increments of value – And evaluate results • Go fast • Value seeking • Repeat, don’t stop
  • 26. Base work around stable teams Teams Over Projects
  • 28. Stable teams… • Keep teams together • Flow work to the teams • Work in the small • Work continually • Demonstrate value
  • 30. Organize by business stream & team • Aim for stable teams & continuity • Close to business • Manage queues within capacity Stream #1 Dev Team
  • 31. Team is a Whole • Testers are first class team members – Embedded with team (always) • Product Owners / Managers / BA are team members too Dev Team – Coders, Testers, etc. … Requirements go In Working Software comes out
  • 32. MVT - Minimally Viable Team Start with the smallest team possible Beware Conway’s Law Start small & grow organically as needed
  • 33. Teams – Ameba! • Start small – 1, prototype or research – 2, get going: Engineer & BA • Grow • Split • Focus team – 1 product/area • Contains all skills
  • 34. Vertical teams • Staff with all needed skills – Coders – Testers – Product Analysts – Managers • Authority – To do what is needed • Responsible for delivery
  • 37. Team & Duration Prefer – Short and Fast Over – Long and Thin • Faster time to market • Higher Rate On Investment • Less resource contention • Requires clear prioritization & project closure
  • 38. Beyond Projects It ain’t ever over BAU is not a dirty work allan kelly allan@allankelly.net www.softwarestrategy.co.uk Twitter: @allankellynet

Editor's Notes

  1. Public domain image, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sausage_making-H-3.JPG