Comments on: Lean is the new Scrum, and it will fail for the same reasons

By: The Software Purist

The Software Purist — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:33:05 +0000

Hi Rob. This is an interesting post and I enjoyed reading it. Lean development is interesting. I originally was introduced to lean a few years back, and I agree, it’s concerning. I agree with your problems as to why Scrum often fails, and I do agree that Lean is subject to similar issues which will may potentially spell its long term failure.

On a related note, I wrote the following post about Scrum at the following link: http://www.softwarepurist.com/blog/index.php/scrum-agility-and-practical/

By: Project Management Tools & Techniques

Project Management Tools & Techniques — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:06:44 +0000

Your quote about Kanban is key to understanding the recent Kanban discussion you've had with David at Agile Management. I think you really get at the key point, which is that Kanban is a tool that enables some great things, but it doesn't create them (any more than Microsoft Word can write a novel).

By: Paul Hopkins

Paul Hopkins — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:04:44 +0000

>often people seem to be fast to put blame for their own failures on tools they are using

my mom always used to say “a bad worksman always blames his tools”

By: Duncan Bayne

Duncan Bayne — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:02:21 +0000

> Essentially if you’re failing it’s because you’re
> doing it wrong.

Or, it might be because you shouldn’t be doing it at all. There are some environments that just aren’t suited to some methodologies.

By: Jelena

Jelena — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:19:37 +0000

I agree, often people seem to be fast to put blame for their own failures on tools they are using. Human nature, I guess.

Here is a short story: one is given a hammer to hammer a nail, and in an attempt to do that, he hits his fingers or damages the wall. Then he blames hammer for being the wrong tool.

Hm. What do you think?

Now, I know that I should hold my wrists firmly, be careful where I put my fingers, watch the angle of the nail and where and how I hold the tool and I bet you I can hammer a nail like an expert even by using the heel of my shoe (okay, I definitely prefer hammer – easier, faster, safer).

So, if you failed using Agile, be honest with yourselves and judge fairly. Was it really the method? Was it how you implemented it? What did you miss and what could you have done differently? After all, remember, it is not all that bad to fail. You fail, you learn. Just be honest in your judgements and retrospectives.

By: Le Touilleur Express » MDA, Scrum et l’Agilité dans tout cela

Le Touilleur Express » MDA, Scrum et l’Agilité dans tout cela — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:50:58 +0000

[...] Rob Bowley prédit même que les méthodes à la mode en cette fin 2008, Lean Development, Kanban, Minimal Marketable Feature, prendront le même chemin que Scrum. Attendons un peu et nous devrions voir des articles sur Lean Development Software qui se propose de remplacer Scrum… (note : je ne dis rien car j’avoue que l’idée m’a traversé l’esprit). [...]