Anti Agile Patterns Part 1 : What is an Agile Anti-Pattern?

What Are Agile Anti-Patterns?

Anti-Agile patterns are processes and behaviours and activities that compromise Agility.

Some are obvious but some are less obvious. This blog will take each one in turn over a course of articles where the format will be :

• What the Anti-Pattern is
• Why its an Anti-Pattern
• The Motive/Mindset Behind Anti-Pattern Advocates
• The Consequences of the Anti-Pattern

The information contained can serve as the basis for coaching people & teams out of anti-agile pattern mindsets and behaviours

Advice to Coaches (Big 'C' Coaches and Small 'c' Coaches)

A small 'c' Coach is anyone and everyone who works within an Agile paradigm and indeed anyone with an interest in Agile delivery. 

All of us can coach and educate one another. 

A big 'C' coach is someone who is employed as an Agile Coach.

The advice below applies to everyone so listen up...and leave our egos at the door:

What’s important is to recognise them when anyone suggests or enacts an Agile Anti Pattern, that we engage with them sympathetically, empathetically, politely and professionally.

Sending people emails and documents explaining why they're wrong seldom works. There is no substitute for face to face conversations or even conversations over the phone.

99% of the time,  people who do things or make decisions that act against Agility actually have good intentions. Such actions/decisions arise from past experiences and learned behaviours. Perhaps such activities were successful or seen to be successful and indeed rewarded when software was delivered in a non-Agile way. 

The tricks that impressed the audiences of yesterday may appear old hat to audiences of today.

When we identify either the intent of or the actual enactment of an Agile anti-pattern, we should positively engage with the people concerned and have a conversation, asking them what they seek to achieve, what their concerns are.

Then we coach them to help them understand to why it’s an anti-Agile pattern, how such things are counterproductive and work with them to get them what they need in an Agile-compliant manner.

Never treat such people with disrespect. As I said, they mean well and remember there was once a time when even the most experienced Agilists were not ourselves aware of Agile principles.

Agile is a journey for everyone, including coaches. The most fundamental Agile anti-pattern is not being given the opportunity to learn in a safe environment.

We hope you enjoy the series...