applying agile methodologies to traditional publishing

Applying Agile Methodologies

to Traditional Publishing

Kristen McLeanBookigee, Inc.

February 12th, 2011

Kristen McLeanFounder & CEO

Bookigee

Hello!Who are you?

My Story (or rather the story that wasn’t)

My Story (or rather the story that wasn’t)

Agile

Agile is a workflow strategy

The Agile ManifestoWe are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it.

Through this work we have come to value:

Individuals and interactions over processes and

tools

Working software over comprehensive

documentation

Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

Responding to change over following a plan

That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.

-www.agilemanifesto.org

Key Concepts

Quick cycles

Self-organizingworking groups

Complex tasks into smaller goals

Iteration

Risk management

Process over perfection

End product from learning not

knowing

Test assumptions early and often

The Lean Cycle Ideas

Product

Data

BuildLearn

Measure

Agile workflow -vs-

Agile content

Slow cycles

Hierarchical working groups

Final product rigid from beginning

Perfection over process

Mindset = Knower, not learners

What would an Agile environment look like?

Simplicity—avoid complex systems, and time-intensive documentation

Regular adaptation to changing circumstances—presume you don’t know the answer

Self-organizing teams with flexible skills—get highly talented and interdisciplinary individuals

Accountability & empowerment— Give them what they need and trust them to get the work done.

Customer interaction & satisfaction extremely important—get out of the building

Close, daily co-operation between business people and creatives—Both on the same team

Sustainable development, able to maintain a constant pace—each person should be able to commit only to what they can do in a day, a week, or a production cycle. Cut back features in order to deliver on time.

Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication (co-location)—put the entire team in one place.

Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design—Produce less, but make it better.

Completed tasks are delivered frequently (weeks rather than months)

Completed tasks are the principal measure of progress—focus on real stuff, not on rituals, documentation, or other internal benchmarks that do nothing for your customer.

Agile content?

Agile content Q’s:

Crowd –vs– solo creator

Authorship –vs– editorship

Scaleability

Kristen McLeankristen@bookigee.com

BKGKristen

Goodbye!