Listen "Software Factory to Feature Factory"
Episode Synopsis
The first chapter of Agile Conversations is all about people-centred development, and we tell the story of our own journey from over-determined software factory to today's feature factories, with similar Taylorist theories of management in both. In today's episode, we go into more depth on the causes of this tragic journey, touching on old and new topics like Theories X and Y, the Cynefin framework, and why there isn't a JIRA plugin for conversational quality.
SHOW LINKS:
- Taylorism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_management
- Theories X and Y: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_X_and_Theory_Y
- 12 Signs You're Working in a Feature Factory by John Cutler: https://cutle.fish/blog/12-signs-youre-working-in-a-feature-factory
- Cargo cults: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult and https://www.jamesshore.com/Blog/Cargo-Cult-Agile.html
- Cockburn on people: https://web.archive.org/web/20140329203655/http://alistair.cockburn.us/Characterizing+people+as+non-linear,+first-order+components+in+software+development
- Cynefin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_framework
Episode transcript: https://www.conversationaltransformation.com/posts/software-factory-to-feature-factory/
Our new book, Agile Conversations, is out now! See https://conversationaltransformation.com where you can order your copy and get a free video when you join our mailing list!
SHOW LINKS:
- Taylorism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_management
- Theories X and Y: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_X_and_Theory_Y
- 12 Signs You're Working in a Feature Factory by John Cutler: https://cutle.fish/blog/12-signs-youre-working-in-a-feature-factory
- Cargo cults: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult and https://www.jamesshore.com/Blog/Cargo-Cult-Agile.html
- Cockburn on people: https://web.archive.org/web/20140329203655/http://alistair.cockburn.us/Characterizing+people+as+non-linear,+first-order+components+in+software+development
- Cynefin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_framework
Episode transcript: https://www.conversationaltransformation.com/posts/software-factory-to-feature-factory/
Our new book, Agile Conversations, is out now! See https://conversationaltransformation.com where you can order your copy and get a free video when you join our mailing list!
More episodes of the podcast Troubleshooting Agile
Gene Kim on Vibe Coding Part II
17/12/2025
Gene Kim on Vibe Coding Part I
10/12/2025
Montage vs Marginal
03/12/2025
Three Types of Learning Part II
26/11/2025
Three Types of Learning Part I
19/11/2025
Greatest Hits: The Systems Thinking Rant
14/11/2025
A New Boat Every Day
05/11/2025
Systems Thinking Rant Redux Part III
29/10/2025
Systems Thinking Rant Redux Part II
22/10/2025
Systems Thinking Rant Redux Part I
15/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.