Picture this: A valiant software team, armed with the finest methodologies of the age (Agile, DevOps, Lean) sets forth on a noble quest: to deliver working software on time. They have battle-tested rituals (daily stand-ups), enchanted scrolls of wisdom (JIRA tickets), and even a mystical high priest known as the
At the moment, I'm between projects, so I’m unable to apply right now, unfortunately. However, my personal intention is to shift my focus more toward environmental and management-related work.
Encouraging people to set aside “time-control-thinking” is often seen as counter-intuitive, but those who experience it firsthand are typically convinced quite easily. The challenge is that people in the environmental sector don't have that direct experience, which makes them more hesitant, skeptical, or simply unaware of the potential benefits. While providing hands-on experience isn't really feasible, I believe metaphors that convey the mindset shift are the next best thing for helping others gain these insights. In this context, your metaphors would definitively be very helpful.
That said, it's still a time-consuming process. My main follow-up question is: How can we make small, meaningful progress in shifting this mindset when the time for interaction is so limited?
I will think about that question a bit more and publish something on it.
To get started, I'd start with changing my own mindset. In other words, "act as if" this is true.
My approach has always been to start with myself first before introducing ideas to others. And in the case of #NoEstimates , there's not even a need to introduce it. We just work with it ourselves.
Deep insights, powerful article, especially the metaphors ( river, cathedral ) 🙏
Thanks for the comment Geert.
Did you get some ideas on how, or what to change at work?
What follow up questions came up as you read the newsletter?
Thanks for reply, Vasco.
At the moment, I'm between projects, so I’m unable to apply right now, unfortunately. However, my personal intention is to shift my focus more toward environmental and management-related work.
Encouraging people to set aside “time-control-thinking” is often seen as counter-intuitive, but those who experience it firsthand are typically convinced quite easily. The challenge is that people in the environmental sector don't have that direct experience, which makes them more hesitant, skeptical, or simply unaware of the potential benefits. While providing hands-on experience isn't really feasible, I believe metaphors that convey the mindset shift are the next best thing for helping others gain these insights. In this context, your metaphors would definitively be very helpful.
That said, it's still a time-consuming process. My main follow-up question is: How can we make small, meaningful progress in shifting this mindset when the time for interaction is so limited?
I will think about that question a bit more and publish something on it.
To get started, I'd start with changing my own mindset. In other words, "act as if" this is true.
My approach has always been to start with myself first before introducing ideas to others. And in the case of #NoEstimates , there's not even a need to introduce it. We just work with it ourselves.
Thank you for the question!