Fun with Agile Projects

Dancing SnoopyThe feedback I’ve most recently received on my latest project is how fun it has been. This enjoyment factor is common feedback I get when working on projects with agile values and practices. I do not think this theme is exclusive to agile projects but I definitely think it is more common.

I believe that projects run in this manner are a result of the Agile Manifesto statement of ‘Individuals and interactions over processes and tools’. A result of working closely together and striving for a common goal breaks down the focus on the individual and succeeds in building a fully functional team.

Why you should care as a Project Manager or as a Business Person?

Enjoying your work has a number of effects on the way that you work. I believe studies have disproved that happiness positively impacts productivity, but I believe that in the long term it still has a positive effect. More importantly I believe studies have proved that happiness positively affects staff retention.

If anything, my own opinions are that it works to reduce the overall risk of the project as each person builds on each other’s strengths and contributes positively when someone is at the low in their peaks and troughs. The similar alignment between all team members also leads to people improving the project in different ways because they want the project to succeed and not just because of individual motivations.

Note that working in this manner is not necessarily comfortable for all people but it’s usually because people have built up their own social barriers in order to work effectively in more traditional environments, or they don’t like working in teams.

5 Replies to “Fun with Agile Projects”

  1. Which studies (re: happiness doesn’t positively affect productivity and happiness positively affects staff retention) are these?

  2. I should have put a disclaimer about not neccessarily believing in all research (they always seem to swing both ways).

    Here’s two articles about the same paper from a study in University of Alberta about happiness not neccessarily affecting productivity. Science blog link and Sciam link. I could not find the original paper link.

    I can’t seem to find anything backing up the second one yet though. Your thoughts/comments?

  3. The bottom line is – the virtual “anonymous” method did not work, and so – since I am not as many people would like to believe “insane” – this method will not be repeated.

    I said, “No.”

    Now stop asking.

    If I don’t know you in real life, you are not on “the team”.

  4. Cristy,

    Forgive me but I don’t quite understand what you are saying. What do you mean ‘anonymous’ method and that you don’t know me in real life :-)?

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