Agile Day 2015 - Jeff Patton: How Doing the little things well make the big things possible

1. Jeff Patton
jeff@jpattonassociates.com
twitter: @jeffpatton
You’re Making This Harder Than It Needs To be
How doing the
little things well
makes the big
things possible

2. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on 3
I teach people techniques that
help them build really cool
products

3. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on 4
But, what I teach often
doesn’t work.

4. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
This puzzles me
5

5. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on 6
“All those techniques are sort
of useful, but...”

6. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
It’s the small things
we do every day
that matter most
(at least we should be doing them)
7

7. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
9 simple things that
make hard things
easier
and everything else better
8

8. 1Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Show me what
you’re thinking
9

9. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Naming
the
same
customer,
the
same
feature,
or
reading
the
same
document,
we
form
different
ideas
10

10. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
When
we
externalize
our
thinking
with
words
and
pictures,
we
detect
differences
11

11. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
When
we
combine
and
refine,
we
arrive
at
something
be<er
12

12. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
A>erwards,
when
we
say
the
same
thing,
we
actually
mean
it
13

13. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Shared
understanding
and
alignment
are
the
objecAves
of
collaboraAve
work
✴ Credit
for
this
illustraAon
goes
to
ThoughtWorks’
Luke
Barret.
Jeff
Pa<on
drew
these
illustraAons
based
on
Luke’s.
Luke
doesn’t
recall
where
he
first
saw
this
cartoon.
14

14. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Shared documents
aren’t shared
understanding
15

15. blah blah
blahdy-blah
b’blah blah
blahdy-blah blah
blah blahdy-blah
b’blah blah
blahdy-blah blah
blah blahdy-blah
b’blah blah
blahdy-blah blah
Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
This
is
a
Scrum
backlog
grooming
session
16

16. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Words
and
pictures
help
everyone
build
shared
understanding
17

17. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Shared
Understanding
and
collaboraAon
at
Atlassian
18

18. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Shared
Understanding
and
collaboraAon
at
Atlassian
19

19. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Shared
Understanding
and
collaboraAon
at
Atlassian
20

20. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
What
you
record
during
conversaAons
works
like
a
vacaAon
photo
Looking
at
it
helps
you
remember
details
that
aren’t
in
the
photo
21

21. !Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
What
you
record
during
conversaAons
works
like
a
vacaAon
photo
Looking
at
it
helps
you
remember
details
that
aren’t
in
the
photo
22

22. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Agile
User
Stories
have
a
simple
lifecycle
ConversaAon
* Ron Jeffries coined the 3 C’s in
Extreme Programming Installed
!
! !
?
Card ConfirmaAon

23. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
If
you
replace
a
conversaAon
with
a
document,
you’ve
stopped
using
stories
24

24. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Effective story conversations
build shared understanding
The best documents use words
and pictures to help recall our
conversations, they don’t replace
conversations
25

25. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
The next time you
have a conversation at
work move it to the
whiteboard, or grab a
stack of sticky notes
26

26. 2Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Flare
27

27. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on 28
Not flair

28. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on 29
Stanford’s Design Thinking Model

29. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on 30
GameStorming’s diverge to converge diagram

30. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
A
Design
Studio
approach
helps
the
whole
team
Ideate
Design Studio Approach
http://interaction08.ixda.org/Jeff_White%20and%20Jim%20Ungar.php
177

31. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Sketch
independently
32

32. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Sketch
independently
33

33. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Everyone
shares
their
results
34

34. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Everyone
shares
their
results
35

35. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Find
the
best
ideas
(not
the
best
arQst)
36

36. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Find
the
best
ideas
(not
the
best
arQst)
37

37. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Google
Design
Sprints
Have
Flair
38
h<ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvdO0G4uQgc

38. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Deliberately widen your field of
choices before making a
decision
When arguing, stop.
Take a few minutes to sketch
your ideas, and the take time to
hear each other ideas
39

39. 3Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Shut up
40

40. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Stop
talking
and
let
the
model
do
the
work
41

41. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Stop
talking
and
let
the
model
do
the
work
42

42. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Tom
Wujec
noQces
talking
doesn’t
help
43
h<ps://www.ted.com/talks/tom_wujec_got_a_wicked_problem_first_tell_me_how_you_make_toast

43. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Talk less
Reorganize simple models to
help describe your ideas
without all the discussion
Replace brainstorming out
loud with silent brainstorming
44

44. 4Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Focus
45

45. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Set
goals,
then
use
pace-­‐keeping
signals
to
stay
focused
on
them
46

46. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Set
goals,
then
use
pace-­‐keeping
signals
to
stay
focused
on
them
47

47. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Set
goals,
then
use
pace-­‐keeping
signals
to
stay
focused
on
them
48

48. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Save
document
creaAon
and
maintenance
for
later
49

49. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Save
document
creaAon
and
maintenance
for
later
50

50. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Focus on specific
outcomes
Keep checking in on
those outcomes and “time
out” when the team drifts
51

51. 5Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Time box
52

52. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Use
the
Pomodoro
Technique
to
keep
pace
53

53. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Time-box small and
large activities
At the end of a time-
box, stop, reflect, and
ask if you can satisfice
54

54. 6Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Un-invite someone
55

55. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
The
ideal
decision
making
group
is
dinner-­‐conversaAon
sized
56

56. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Use
different
strategies
for
different
sized
groups
2-­‐4
people:
set
goals,
?me-­‐box,
and
keep
pace
5-­‐11
people:
add
a
facilitator
and
structure
the
workshop
A
dozen
or
more:
break
into
small
groups,
then
integrate
results
57

57. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Crowds don’t collaborate
To make decisions fast,
keep groups dinner-
conversation-sized
(2-5 people ideally)
58

58. 7Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
v
Get out more
59

59. Imagine you’re Jane Goodall...

60. 61
do this don’t do this

61. www.jpa'onassociates.com
Ninety
percent
of
life
is
just
showing
up.
-­‐-­‐Woody
Allen

62. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Go
where
people
work
63

63. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Watch
them
work
64

64. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Let
them
teach
you
how
65

65. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Don’t
wait
for
permission
66

66. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
NoAce
the
differences
that
make
a
difference
67

67. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
It’s
a
conversaAon,
not
an
interrogaAon
68

68. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
People
are
happy
to
tell
you
about
their
challenges
69

69. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Get
out
of
the
building,
way
out
of
the
building
70

70. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Make
friends,
because
you
won’t
want
to
disappoint
your
friends
71

71. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Work
together
in
small
discovery
teams
72

72. www.jpa'onassociates.com
Ateeq
has
an
epiphany
I’ve
always
been
confident
I
can
tell
you
precisely
what
users
do.
But
it’s
not
un9l
today
that
I
realize
that
I
could
never
tell
you
why.

73. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
The best solutions come
from passionate,
motivated people
Empathy is the most
powerful and positive
motivator I know
74

74. 8Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
v
Act
75

75. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Tom
Chi
from
Google
X
76

76. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Stop
debaQng
and
act
77
Thinking is
overrated
Doing is the best
kind of thinking
Tom Chi, Built UX Team for
GoogleX Division of Google

77. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
JSTOR
has
a
simple
approach
to
process
they’re
trying
to
live
by
78

78. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
I
saw
this
on
a
whiteboard
as
a
reminder
79

79. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
I
saw
this
on
a
whiteboard
as
a
reminder
80

80. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
JFDI
81

81. 9Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
v
Take 5
82

82. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
You’ll
know
it’s
working
when
you
feel
exhausted.
Take
a
break.
83

83. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
If you’re doing it right,
this stuff is really
exhausting
Get out, get coffee, close
your eyes, and take 10
deep breaths
84

84. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
Get back in there.
85

85. Jeff
Pa'on
&
Associates,
jeff@jpa'onassociates.com,
twi'er@jeffpa'on
It’s doing the simple
things well that
makes the tough
stuff possible
86

86. Jeff Patton
jeff@jpattonassociates.com
twitter: @jeffpatton
You’re Making This Harder Than It Needs To be
How doing the
little things well
makes the big
things possible