People tell me it's great, and that they love using it. Some who I don't even know to be software developers, though that is rare. Nonetheless, regardless of who is talking about it, they never seem to talk about using Agile methods and how it actually benefited them or their project. While I don't disagree with the values of Agile, that is "Individuals and their interaction, delivering working software, customer collaboration, responding to change"(source), a group of inexperienced developers who are just being introduced to Agile may, for one, not be able to tell what these benefits are compared to not using Agile methods. This lack of compelling motivation cause against what Agile is about; it requires self-motivated members to really see the biggest impact, in my opinion. However, as a framework it is still a good learning environment where tasks are broken down and focus can be established.
Hey Eric,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you when you say that there are a lot of inexperienced people that promote Agile. However, I like agile but I still understand where you are coming from. I would also like to say that I really am glad that you are using your personal voice completely throughout this blog because it is very easy to just give summaries about the topic. The only thing I would suggest is providing examples for evidence to your point but other than that, keep up the good work!
Eric,
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point that the people who praise Agile rarely say exactly how it is that they benefited; they say that Agile is the best technique on the planet without once saying how Agile helped them where other methods would have failed. It's easy enough to say that Agile holds certain values, but we also need to know how it promotes those values if we're to be persuaded to look into it.
Speaking about going into detail, though, it would have really aided your post to have a little more information about what Agile is and how it works; all you say is that it is a group of development tactics and that it has certain values. You, too, aren't saying how its methods are guided by those values.
(Also, careful with your proofreading: "This lack of compelling motivation cause against what Agile is about" sounds a bit word-salad-y...)
Hey Eric,
ReplyDeleteNice job being objective and real in this post. It seems like a lot of us just summarized what agile is, and said, “AGILE IS THE BEST,” just because that’s what we’re supposed to think. But you actually put your opinion in, and stated it in your own voice.
I like the link you included. I didn’t run into that one, and it’s a long and interesting read.
I’d say you could probably expand on the criticism of agile, and like Romin said, provide some evidence.
Nice work, keep it up.
Hi Eric.
ReplyDeleteIt is my first time to post to your blog. This post showed your real opinion about those who compliment Agile when they really don't know what it is and maybe also that they don't know. Well, unfortunately this is not only true for people who praise Agile but also for many other people on many other things. I can agree with that. I think if people stopped talking about what they don't know or stopped pretending to know, this world become speechless but reliable.
Hi Eric,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I would say you did a great job on this post. Nice viewpoint.
In my opinion, everything has two sides. Why is Agile popular now? People must get benefits from it. Meanwhile, some people still say no to Agile. I think the best way is making use of its advantages and avoiding its disadvantages.
I myself not a big fan of Agile methods, I believe it is espoused by not so hardcore developers to paper over their incompetency. However, one should not postulate that the Agile Methodology is a hype just based on here say. I also think it takes too much of developer’s time away in standups, planning poker etc. and quite intimidating to inexperienced developers.
ReplyDeleteHello Eric,
ReplyDeleteThis is a solid post on Agile and it's methods. I particularly like your interesting viewpoint. Although I disagree, you make a ton of valid points. I have to agree that in order to truly benefit from Agile you have to have a competent and self-motivated team.
Many posts about Agile just say that it is a good method and that it should be the default method. However, you strayed from the road and stated your own opinion which I think is admirable.