Agile, Scrum, Waterfall etc..

While I consider myself to be somewhat of an evangelist when it comes to promoting project management techniques I have discovered over the years of hard toil and battles won and lost that there really is no single belief that will win you the day.

My early days of project management was in the role of disciple where I learned techniques from those that I followed. Doe eyed and full of passion I would follow those I considered my betters down paths that they had traveled many times before. I would pass the gospel to those that flocked to our cause.

Later in life I discovered ancient tomes that professed a higher level of enlightenment. I spent much time researching and putting into practice what I had read to some success. I became a born again evangelist to the ways of managing processes.  I insisted that one way was better than another and would spend many an hour trying to prove my beliefs. As I continued to discover various tomes my passion would switch from one technique to another. I would drop the last for the “new way” and would focus my energies on honing the processes under my control into the latest production bible.

This cycle continued for many years.

One day I realized something. All the different techniques that I had spent time learning and putting into practice had something in common. Not one of them was perfect. I could not achieve nirvana through the use of a single way.  At first I thought my chosen path was futile and that I was lost.  Then I read some teachings of Buddha:

“A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden.”

 “Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.“

 “The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. “

 I now believe that an intimate understanding of the skills and knowledge of those involved is paramount. No matter what job anyone is responsible for they play an important role against entropy. This is the first step on the way to nirvana.

Knowing the road that you must travel will help you in deciding what shoes to wear. Be it Agile, Scrum, Waterfall or any combination of these or any other processes that you may believe in.

Learning from the teachings of others is important but to follow a single path is not. Through knowledge one can gain insight. Through insight one can gain experience. Through experience one can decide what is the best path to travel.

Some day I hope to get it right. In the meantime I will strive for understanding in the hope of achieving perfection.