Agile Manifesto Discussion (Large Group)

Introduction

This is a brief discussion workshop aimed at familiarisation of the Agile Manifesto and to try to obtain a deeper understanding of the four values and what do they imply for software projects.

Learning Objectives

• To discuss the underlying Agile Manifesto values
• To investigate deeper the intentions behind Agile

Timings

This workshop can go on for a long discussion, but 60 minutes should suffice

Materials

• Printed out copies of the Agile Manifesto Worksheet, one per person
• Jigsaw Pieces for each of the 4 values

Workshop Flow

Connections (5 Minutes)

1. Ask the attendees to read through the Agile Manifesto

Concepts (5 Minutes)

1. Encourage the attendees to realise what they already know by asking the whole group what words should be used to fill in the blanks in the worksheet and ask them to fill in the blanks
2. Ask each attendee to select one of the jigsaw pieces on the table and to join a group of attendees with the same jigsaw piece

Concrete Practice (30 Minutes)

1. Each of the jigsaw piece groups are then asked to discuss what their respective value means and how this might manifest on a real project
2. Once they have discussed their respective values, ask the attendees to return to their original group and complete their worksheets with each member of the group relaying back what they had discovered from their jigsaw groups

Conclusions (20 Minutes)

1. Finish up with a classroom debrief asking the attendees what they discovered about the values

References

• http://agilemanifesto.org/, 2001
• Sharon L. Bowman's book Training From The Back of The Room, 2009