Great Expectations

Today I embarked on a new adventure into the world of Agile (XP) and the role of Product Manager.  

Coming to it as an architect I’m used to trying to influence technical decisions for “the greater good” of the organization.  That sometimes means putting constraints on a project that prevent or hinder it from following its preferred, optimal approach.  XP seems to be radically different.  I’m nervous.  I’m also sceptical – highly sceptical to be honest – of one aspect in particular - zero documentation.   Other aspects I’m sold and all in on.  I’m mega excited and thrilled to have the chance to do this – and do it right, not some watered down, half-baked offering typically produced by a corporate.   I never expected to see my employer working in this way.  Expectations have been challenged.  I love learning and I’m desperate to pick up new skills – to grow.  Hopes and dreams, already high before today are now stratospheric.  This is career changing stuff.

Today was Compozed Accelerator Labs - day 1.  Fabulous.  It was primarily about people, not technology.  I love that.  I love the human element to XP.  Perhaps the P of XP should refer to “People”.  XP claims that Respect is one of its values.  That claim stands up.  We had a fun personality profiling session.  I’d done it before, and hoped we would do it in Compozed but I didn’t think we would.  More expectations challenged.  The other Product Manager came out with the opposite personality profile from me.  My weaknesses are her strengths.  How cool is that?  I’m amazed and grateful that I learned this on day 1, rather than taking months of working together to realise it.

Senior management spoke from the heart about their vision, commitment and desire to see this succeed.  They took extra time to field questions – genuine concern for people.  Clear, strong support and buy in.  A real confidence booster.  They’re even looking to see how management can adopt XP – so they must believe in it.

I started today, baggage and all, excited and with great expectations.  I’ve been challenged – to aim higher and dream bigger.   Hope is rising. 

Roll on tomorrow!