Thanks for your interest. Agree completely!

The approach I have developed in practice, and which I am now trying to put into a theoretical context with this series of posts, is very heavily influenced by the work done by the Agile movement in software development, especially the application of Lean principles.

I certainly intend to look at programme delivery later, as I think that is a rich ground for improvement through a flow- and people-based approach. However I also feel that it is the messier early stages of getting the ideas shaped into the first programme definition that have received least attention.

-Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
-Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
-Responding to change over following a plan

This would be a good basis for an approach. Meantime I look forward to your post on waste!!!

This case study was an informative read, with points which echo my own experiences in applying Agile disciplines to UK public sector IT delivery.

My own experience at the Coal Authority was generally positive though with a few caveats:
– Making sure that 3rd party developers are familiar with using Agile/iterative disciplines can be a headache, particular in PRINCE2-dominated IT ‘cultures’
– User education: ensuring that business reps know IT nomenclature and are engaged for the duration of the project. I found a ‘terms of reference’ session with my own business reps at then outset proved invaluable
– Using MoSCoW wisely: I’ve discovered that prioritising requirements via MoSCoW can prove irrelevant and distracting in non-iterative project approaches. Make sure everybody knows why we use it, and how MoSCoW relates to a disciplined time-boxing approach.
– Communicate, communicate, communicate! Maintaining open channels between business reps and developers proved to be a god-send when code and database dependency-related bugs surfaced, as they worked side-by-side (or phone-by-phone) to arrive at fixes.

well done great program, keep your rep range high(20)and rest time low(30 sec between each 4 exercise circuit). That should keep your heart and lungs going until you get back into the boxing ring.

Thanks for your recognition. I like your blog and added it to my list.

Bill

Jon – I think you are spot on in the trends you mention – and two things you have blogged lately support that – Charlene Li’s recent post and the news about Yahoo and OpenSocial

epredator – agree that it is increasingly impossible to divide “pure work” and “pure social” – in fact if you want employees to network effectively even within the organisation then you have to recognise the importance of social bonds of various sorts.