Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

I emphasize fundamentals in my work. One such fundamental is the old cliche about planning and working (see title). I find it still applies—even with “new” methods like Agile.

Plan your work, work your plan

I heard that a lot in the 1980s. I find it to be one of those things that are just true or “no duh.” If you pour water on something, that thing will be wet.

“But,” some say these days and the past 15 years, “we are Agile, we don’t plan.”

The Agile Manifesto states, “We value responding to change over following a plan.”

That statement is itself a plan. The plan is to have a plan, but be ready for change and respond to those changes. The plan is to be flexible or agile.

The “work your plan” part of Agile is to actually respond to change. Don’t just say you will respond to change, respond.

Plan your work, work your plan. Still true.