[OSList] The Open Agile Adoption story

Thu Jul 25 22:28:55 PDT 2013

Hi Daniel,

There are quite a few on this list that are either leaders in the Agile 
community or know a fair about scrum and agile.

And then there are those who know very little.

What has been fascinating and exciting for me has been the amount of 
synergy available between the two communities - and nothing has blown my 
socks off more than what you are describing here. I *felt* & *sensed* 
that Open Space was a critical way for organizations to move towards a 
much better adoption of agile ideas. But you've described the essential 
nature of the need here that gives words to my feeling about it. Open 
Space is *the* core ingredient for successful agile adoption.

But why should the OST community care?

For the sake of those that know little about Agile/Scrum/Lean in the 
world of software - perhaps this little story will convey it. I made my 
way to Texas last year for the biggest annual Agile Software conference, 
Agile 2012. It was at the Gaylord Hotel in Dallas, Texas. I was drawn to 
the Open Jam, a space the conference organizers devote every year for an 
Open Space like session area. It wasn't perfect, but it was popular and 
I visited there often. The one session I put up on the board was an 
"Ignite" or "Pecha Kucha". That would be 90 minutes of very short talks. 
Even though I put it up, I didn't show up at the start time. But when I 
did show up, there had already been about 10 talks already. One of the 
talks I witnessed was by a traditionally geeky looking gentleman who 
said that Agile was a "Liberation Theology". Those words resonated 
deeply with me, both as truth, and as humor.

He didn't have to explain. I'd lived the oppression of the software 
world before Agile Software ideas. Heavy pre-planned schedules that were 
never accurate - usually involving warring specialized subgroups and a 
forced death march at the end where developers and testers would work 
massive overtime (often out of fear) in order to make unreasonable 
schedules that they had little or no part in creating. It can often seem 
like a dungeon, and the refreshing ideas of Agile often inspire 
religious fervor. But the oppression unfortunately is perhaps still the 
rule. EVEN IN THE MIDST OF ATTEMPTS TO PRACTICE AGILE/LEAN/SCRUM! But 
the community continues to work at getting people to adopt these ideas 
well, as opposed to badly. Dan is right. Open Space is a core piece that 
can enable it to work well.

Again, why should the OST community care?

Most Open Space facilitators want to make a difference and they love 
bringing that sense of engagement that can people can only choose for 
themselves when they sense the freedom (and responsibility) to do so.

The way software is built, designed, and deployed continues to make 
deeper and more profound impacts on our planet. It's like the mind of 
the human race is becoming more and more tangible and even designable - 
because of how code makes the processes of our thinking visible. And 
makes it possible to consciously change and redesign it, to make it work 
for everyone.

A deep bow to your work, Daniel. I will be seeing you in Tennessee at 
Agile 2013 in 10 days or so. This is a great time to be awake to the 
Spirit of Open Space, Agile, Scrum, Lean, and many of the profound 
forward shifts that are beginning to collaborate in an invitational way. 
I look forward to the party that we're all being invited to!

     Blessings,
     Harold

On 7/25/13 10:38 AM, Daniel Mezick wrote:
>
> Good morning OST-List!
>
> I am Daniel Mezick, probably someone you never heard of.
>
>
> I'm an executive & Agile coach that seeks (and occasionally obtains) 
> work in that section of the USA between NYC and Boston. I live in CT. 
> I have a story to tell you...and an invitation...
>
>
> Open and Agile
>
> ...about 4 years ago I start experimenting with Open Space, using it 
> inside public www.AgileBoston.org <http://www.AgileBoston.org> 
> conference events. I study OST more. In 2010 we at Agile Boston 
> innovate by getting the 80-page proceeding from a large public OST 
> event rendered to a PDF and shipped to all participants in less than 
> 24 hours. (We employ a rapid transcription service to render the 
> per-session outputs to text and images, then create a WORD doc and PDF.)
>
> I actually did not know what the hell I was doing. I just knew it was 
> a generally good idea to socialize Open Space in Boston.
>
> Little do I know...
>
> In late 2010, by Googling around I discover the free-download PDF of 
> the SPIRIT book by HO. Reading that changes everything for me. I 
> realize that OST is really about development and transformation in 
> organizations, NOT simply for public conferences and general 
> education. (This is how the "Agile community" currently uses Open Space.)
>
> As a consultant to organizations, I realize that the SPIRIT book for 
> some reason is completely overlooked by the Agile community, and that 
> this book had the seeds of success in it. The "secret sauce". I begin 
> experimenting with bringing Open Space meetings into my Agile coaching 
> engagements. The basic hypothesis is that the introduction of change 
> (Agile in this case) creates alarming levels of anxiety and worry. 
> And, that Open Space might actually help reduce worry and fear.
>
> From late 2010 to the present day, I begin experimenting with using 
> Open Space in service to rapid and lasting Agile adoptions. By diving 
> into this work with willing clients, I begin to realize the power of 
> Open Space... with them. We find that we can reduce the anxiety of 
> change via the power and mystery of "invitation." I begin to study and 
> build upon work from Ed Seykota ("testing for willingness"), Michael 
> Herman ("invitation"), Harrison Owen (the SPIRIT book), others.
>
> In 2011 I do a few more experiments and begin pulling ideas from 
> cultural anthropology (Victor Turner), from positive psychology (Tony 
> Hsieh's application of Martin Seligman's work) and from the art and 
> science of game design (Jane McGonigal).
>
> In 2012 I write THE CULTURE GAME (www.TheCultureGame.com 
> <http://www.TheCultureGame.com>), a book about how to help your 
> organization get smarter. At this point I have worked with OST in more 
> than a few organizations. In that book I write a chapter, chapter 21, 
> and give it the title "Open The Space". That chapter contains several 
> "easter eggs" which a few astute readers find and begin using. I start 
> to get emails from around the world about that chapter. In that 
> chapter I reference many of Harrison's works, I disclose some of the 
> Open Agile Adoption technique.In that chapter, I specifically provide 
> the link to the SPIRIT book.
>
> By late 2012, I have confirmation of several hypotheses. The first is 
> that without engagement, we have nothing. That seems very obvious, yet 
> the current Agile literature has little or nothing to say about the 
> role of engagement in effective Agile adoptions. Second is that there 
> is no engagement without /psychological safety/ sufficient /_to_/ 
> engage. Third, safety (and a general sense of well-being) is a largely 
> a function of creating an "inviting structure". By structure I mean: a 
> clear goal, or purpose...and a clear set of rules...and a great, 
> always-on feedback system and the big one..."opt-in participation".
>
> I started ranting on Twitter and on my blog about how "mandated 
> collaboration" in Agile adoptions is at best misguided. How mandated 
> practices may be...harmful. Remember by this point I have my 
> experience and case data. I am speaking from some experience.
>
> At first, no one seemed to hear me. But after a while, I start getting 
> ReTweets a lot. And people started talking back to me from around the 
> world and there is conversation. Questions. Insights. I start 
> connecting with all kinds of people around this idea. Some of the 
> ReTweets are from people with French names who Tweet in French AND 
> English.
>
>
> So here I am with this more-than-pretty-good technique that 
> incorporates Open Space. And I am kind of feeding out provocative 
> questions about Agile coaching, and talking a lot about invitation, 
> and about the futility of mandates...I also make some radical 
> assertions. This goes on for a while.
>
> Then I got this interesting invitation.
>
> It's an invite to come and /keynote/ the Global ScrumGathering in 
> Paris France in September of 2013. The invite is from some of those 
> French people who ReTweet my Tweets. They tell me I can talk about 
> absolutely anything I deem important, and ask me to "come and play" 
> with them.
>
> It takes me about 2 minutes to make up my mind. As soon as this 
> happens, I know it is one of these providential-type events that 
> becomes a defining moment. I gather up all my notes and start crafting 
> the speech. I also immediately contact Harrison Owen, and bring all my 
> work and notes up to his place in Camden to talk, and explain OAA with 
> Open Space to him, and seek his guidance. That was back in early July.
>
> And so: here we are. I'm going over there to Paris to talk about Open 
> Agile Adoption with Open Space to six hundred Agile and Scrum 
> practitioners. Many of them are coaches. The OAA technique 
> incorporates OST, storytelling, play, and some ancient and proven 
> tribal patterns for managing change, specifically the /rite of 
> passage/ pattern.
>
> There is a list of links at the bottom of this note, so you can get a 
> sense of what I am presenting. Over July and August I am planning to 
> explain the whole technique to you and everyone else, holding back the 
> case data and the toolkit until 9/24 in Paris, when I deliver the 
> actual speech. On that day, the toolkit and all the tools become free 
> to the world via an open source license and a free download. The 
> intent is to provide a body of work that others can immediately use 
> and more importantly, improve upon.
>
> We know that people are only 25 or 30 percent engaged at work. (see 
> related link below.) Open Space is a profoundly useful way to double 
> or even triple engagement from there. The hypothesis of Open Agile 
> Adoption is that /a safe space is required for true group learning/ to 
> take root. And that Open Space is the primary tool for constructing 
> that kind of place.
>
> The keynote address is designed to resonate before and after the 
> event. Before the event, INFOQ.com is publishing articles, videos and 
> interviews on Open Agile Adoption. During the event, the speech will 
> be transcribed, videotaped and recorded by the Scrum Alliance. After 
> the event these Scrum Alliance artifacts will be available to anyone 
> in the world via the Scrum Alliance. Also after the event I plan to 
> make the case data and Open Agile Adoption toolkit free to the world, 
> such that anyone with "a good head and a good heart" can do it and do 
> it well.
>
> I'm taking a page from Harrison's playbook, and from his ethos, 
> choosing to make the entire body of know-how free to the world. I'm 
> hoping that Open Agile Adoption (and derivatives) become the standard 
> for implementing more rapid and lasting Agile adoptions...
>
> ...Not everyone is likely to be happy if this comes true. The Open 
> Space element has the potential to radically reduce the amount of 
> Agile coaching that is actually needed to get a rapid and lasting 
> Agile adoption. That reduces billable hours!
>
> Further (and of far more interest to you) is the idea that skilled OST 
> Facilitators are required to execute well with the Open Agile Adoption 
> technique. This has the potential to open up new demand for those here 
> with deep OST skills and experience.
>
> There is clear potential for a certain "changing of the guard" in 
> Agile adoptions worldwide. There is potential for disruption...and 
> maybe a little bit of chaos.
>
> After the Paris Scrum Gathering, I plan to offer short, plain-talk 
> seminars in how to do Open Agile Adoption. I do not plan to teach Open 
> Space facilitation in detail, because others in this community are 
> already doing this very well, and also because there is more to Open 
> Agile Adoption that just Open Space. There are elements of 
> storytelling, elements of a passage rite, elements of gaming, play and 
> more. I plan to teach the overall OAA technique to people who want to 
> learn it. In France in September, I am teaching two ½ day seminars on 
> 9/26 and 9/28 after the Scrum Gathering. When I return I plan to 
> continue teaching in the United States.
>
> I am asking for help. Will you help me socialize the idea that Open 
> Space is essential for creating rapid and lasting Agile adoptions?
>
> You can help in the following ways:
>
> 0/ Be playful, and help me refine and improve Open Agile Adoption with 
> others
>
> 1/ Learn more about OAA via the provided links below. Then, ask me 
> questions.
>
> 2/ Tell me if you offer Open Space training courses, and send me your 
> info, so I can promote your course to Open Agile Adoption 
> practitioners. If you are a Facilitator for hire, I want to talk to you!
>
> 3/ Examine the work, and provide feedback as I disclose it over the 
> next month.
>
> 4/ Sign up for the Facebook group Open Agile Adoption via this link: 
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/204037609756665/
>
> 5/ Help me get in front of Agile audiences to the extent you can. This 
> year I am speaking on Open Agile Adoption with Open Space at these 
> events (in date order):
>
> 8/7/13: session, Agile2013
>
> 9/24/13: keynote, Global Scrum Gathering, Paris
>
> 11/6/13: keynote, Agile Tour, Quebec City Quebec CA
>
> I hope you like this story,
>
> and I hope you want it to continue,
>
> and I hope want to help write it.
>
> I am inviting you to come and do that. Will you join me with others in 
> writing the next chapter of the Open Agile Adoption story?
>
>
> I hope you will consider doing exactly that.
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Daniel Mezick
>
> www.DanielMezick.com <http://www.DanielMezick.com>
>
> dan at newtechusa.net <mailto:dan at newtechusa.net>
>
> 203 915 7248
>
> Related Links:
>
> GALLUP Link on (dis) engagement
>
> /$350 billion per year in lost productivity./
>
> http://businessjournal.gallup.com/content/247/the-high-cost-of-disengaged-employees.aspx
>
> SPIRIT Link (Harrison Owen book)
>
> http://www.openspaceworld.com/Spirit.pdf
>
> Open Agile Adoption Link
>
> www.OpenAgileAdoption.com
>
> Mandated Collaboration Link
>
> http://newtechusa.net/agile/the-recipe-for-botched-agile-adoptions/
>
> Scrum Gathering Link (click 'keynotes' and then click "right arrow"...
>
> http://www.scrumalliance.org/courses-events/events/global-gatherings/2013/paris-2013
>
> Agile2013 Link
>
> http://www.agilequebec.ca/nouvelles/agile-tour-2013-keynote/
>
> Agile Tour Quebec City keynote Link
>
> http://www.agilequebec.ca/nouvelles/agile-tour-2013-keynote/
>
> Open Agile Adoption Group on Facebook
>
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/204037609756665/
>
>
> -- 
>
> Daniel Mezick, President
>
> New Technology Solutions Inc.
>
> (203) 915 7248 (cell)
>
> Bio <http://newtechusa.net/dan-mezick/>. Blog 
> <http://newtechusa.net/blog/>. Twitter 
> <http://twitter.com/#%21/danmezick/>.
>
> Examine my new book:The Culture Game 
> <http://newtechusa.net/about/the-culture-game-book/>: Tools for the 
> Agile Manager.
>
> Explore Agile Team Training 
> <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-training/> and Coaching. 
> <http://newtechusa.net/services/agile-scrum-coaching/>
>
> Explore the Agile Boston 
> <http://newtechusa.net//user-groups/ma/>Community.
>
>
>
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-- 
Harold Shinsato
harold at shinsato.com <mailto:harold at shinsato.com>
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
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