Ahoy, Agile adventurers! Buckle up as we continue our journey through the Agile Manifesto. We’ve already navigated the first principle – “Individuals and interactions over processes and tools”. Today, we’re setting our sights on the second value: “Working software over comprehensive documentation”. Now, don’t get spooked by the techy language. Even if you’re not a software developer, this principle has some golden nuggets for you.
Let’s kick off with what this principle is really saying. The focus here should be on delivering a working product rather than getting tangled up in documentation. Does this mean we should toss all our design docs and user manuals into the recycle bin? Not at all! It simply means that our primary goal should be to create something that works and brings value to the customer.
Before Agile, the software development world was ruled by the Waterfall model, where detailed documentation was king. I mean, we had manuals thicker than a triple-decker sandwich! But Agile turned the tables. It shifted the spotlight from creating perfect documents to delivering functional, value-adding software.
But why, you might ask? Isn’t it necessary to have all the information written down for reference, for new team members, or for maintaining consistency? Well, yes, but only to an extent. Here’s where our friend ‘balance’ comes back into the picture. Documentation is important, but it shouldn’t be a roadblock to progress.
Let me narrate a tale from my coaching days. I once worked with a team we’ll call the “DocuDynamos”. Now, these folks loved their documentation. Every meeting, every change, every tiny decision was documented in excruciating detail. They believed they were setting themselves up for success. But despite their exhaustive documents, their progress was slower than a snail riding a turtle!
Why? Because they were spending more time writing about the software than actually developing it! They were so concerned about keeping their documentation pristine that they lost sight of their main goal – to deliver working software.
We decided to shake things up. We started focusing more on developing and testing the software and less on creating perfect documentation. We kept essential documents, of course, but we didn’t let them hinder our progress. And this shift in focus worked wonders. The team’s productivity skyrocketed, and they started delivering functional software faster and more efficiently.
So, the essence of “Working software over comprehensive documentation” is to prioritize value. It’s about spending more time on creating something useful and less time on maintaining exhaustive documentation. Remember, a perfectly documented plan for a feature is no good if the feature itself is never developed.
Whether you’re a software team or not, this principle holds true. Focus on delivering value. Keep necessary records but don’t let paperwork slow you down. Because at the end of the day, it’s your product or service that matters, not the paperwork that came with it!
Join me next time as we delve into the third value of the Agile Manifesto. Until then, keep Agile, and remember – it’s all about balance!
