Just Enough

My recent post on Crystal Clear caused a bit of a stir. One of the common threads was around “Just Enough”. In 1996, the product team I led at Reuters transitioned over to DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) from RAD (Rapid Application Development). And the 20-years have flown by since. DSDM advocates “just enough” across … Read more

Unlocking Change with Systems Thinking

When it comes to enacting sustainable change, systems thinking is a powerful yet often underutilized tool. (I’ve successfully employed it in a recent role, where I took on an unfamiliar challenge, the transformation of a social care service. Introduced it in order to alleviate six years of change fatigue and bias). Instead of focusing on … Read more

Approaches, Lets Try A New Blend

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Crystal Clear, DSDM, XP, and Scrum; the most common Agile methodologies, with distinct approaches and philosophies. It was good, but could it be improved? I sat on the train earlier, commuting home, looking out of the window into the dark, and began to ponder. Curiosity got the better … Read more

Lean Change Management: A Catalyst for Agile Organizations

Over the last few weeks, I’ve re-read Lean Change Management: Innovative Practices for Managing Organizational Change by Jason Little. Jason provides a practical and insightful guide for navigating the complexities of organizational change. This book offers a fresh perspective on change management, drawing on the principles of Lean and Agile methodologies to deliver a more … Read more

Navigating the “Layer Cake” of Agility, Lean, Systems Thinking, and Product Management

In the film Layer Cake, we see how the lives of the rich, the criminal, and the criminally rich are intricately woven together, each layer impacting the others in ways that often defy logic and expectation. This metaphor of intersecting worlds is surprisingly relevant to today’s complex landscape of agility, lean practices, systems thinking, and … Read more

Co-Creating the Product Vision: A Collaborative Approach

While a strong product vision is essential, it’s equally important to involve key stakeholders in its creation. Co-creating the vision fosters buy-in, alignment, and a shared sense of ownership. Benefits of Co-Creation: How to Co-Create a Product Vision: Remember, a co-created product vision is more likely to be successful because it reflects the needs and … Read more