Post-Agilism - Tell me More
Since my rather abrupt criticism of Jonathan Kohl's Blog FAQ on Post-Agilism there has been further comment/response from others - so I guess I should respond too.
James Bach made some comments (+ve and -ve). There are good and bad points here. What I'm not clear about is whether the reference to "sending your best cattle and virgins off to enrich the Agile priesthood" is ironic, sarcastic or ... well I just don't understand, James.
Once again I'll say, I'm not attacking Jonathan, just the post. To be forgiven for not having met Jonathan - hmm. I'll have to think about that one ;-)
But James, just to set the record straight.
I'm not attacking agilism or post-agilism as a "linguistic phenomenon". I'm just impatiently waiting for a better explanation.
James suggests I've got it wrong and suggests, "it’s a transitional strategy on the part of and for the benefit of people who feel that Agile has lost its way". I have to say, that IS a half-decent explanation of what it is. Well done James. But if you read the JK FAQ, that position doesn't come over too clearly.
With regards to the "blathering" statement... I'm simply trying to say that folk who want to change things in the industry need to focus much more on the needs of our software users rather than the sensibilities of some folk who have lost their way. If you were commanding a combat squad who whinging about the good old days, you'd tell them to get a grip wouldn't you? By the way, I wrote my book in the spirit I suggest. It's all about different viewpoints in projects, business benefits, perceived risk and ways to explore and report them.
I'm not picking on anyone. I stand by my comments on JKs post and here's why. He provided a clear and helpful summary of post-agilism here. I love the notion of "quiet Agile skeptics". I'm probably one myself. The post that I criticised muddied the waters and didn't advance this summary.
With regards to Jason Dobson's comments. Perhaps there is a degree of BS surrounding Agile. But probably less than one has to face on a daily basis when dealing with senior management pretending they understand how software development works. I can live with the Agile BS. I'm not angry - just somewhat resigned that the Agile bandwagon is established now, and maybe the 'victors' are just squabbling. Who cares. I'm not for or against Agile or Post-Agile.
I'm just seeking some clarity.
Comments
This seems like a post that puts the conversation into a more constructive light.
Do you really not understand what I meant by the virgins and cattle line? It's a reference to the festival of Athena, in ancient Athens, when each of the Athens' client city-states would send cattle and other objects of wealth (I don't know if virgins were involved but it makes a better image) to the temple of Athena in Athens, each year, as tribute.
The so-called "Agile community" has asserted a kind of Athenian hegemony over all things agile. This has had a chilling effect on my use of the English word agile, for instance, because so many people instantly think I'm talking about Extreme Programming when I talk about agile methods. I like the idea of a coherent resistance to that hegemony. I suppose you haven't felt that, since your approach may not be particularly agile. But some of us have, and perhaps you can respect that.
You may not understand the post-agilism FAQ because it's not meant for you. However, I agree that it could be explained better, and Jonathan has committed to improving it.
Paul replies...
No I didn't know about the cattle and virgins. Sounds like my kind of party ;-) For five years, I studied Latin, not Greek at school. I don't remember much of that either. I don't meet enough dead Romans to practice with.
The Agile 'community' has taken over some of our language, and has a stranglehold on thinking about Agile. Its become a clique, that's all. If you don't agree with it, you exclude yourself from that clique. The same goes with the certification bodies you are so fond of ;-) but then it's human nature for folk to protect their investment of time and commercial interests by behaving this way.
I do understand Agile. I am agile. But agility predates Agile of course.
The best way to resist the Agile crowd would be to walk away, and offer a better defined alternative with a more open forum driving forwards.
If Jonathan refines the post, of course I'll withdraw my comments and apologise for any offence caused.
Posted by: James Bach | May 27, 2007 01:56 AM