S1 E044: Agile is Not Dead!
Mon Jun 02 2025
Summary
In this episode of the Agile Matrix podcast, host Temi interviews Noel Warnell, Chief Energy Officer of Now Agile Limited. Noel shares his journey into the world of agility, discussing the evolution of agile practices over the past 15 years, the misconceptions surrounding the idea that 'Agile is dead', and the importance of measuring success in tangible terms.
He emphasises the need for agile practitioners to focus on clarity, action, and results, and to use data to motivate teams and drive prioritisation.
The conversation underscores the significance of understanding the context in which agile tools are applied and the necessity for ongoing improvement within the agile industry.
In this engaging conversation, Temi and Noel explore the competitive landscape of Agile coaching, emphasising the importance of proving value through data and case studies.
They discuss the significance of a good fit in professional roles, the necessity of having honest conversations, and the importance of saying no to unsuitable opportunities.
Noel shares insights from his 15 years of experience, highlighting the power of community and collective strength in the Agile space.
The discussion culminates in a call to action for professionals to share their knowledge and experiences to foster growth and improvement within the industry.
Get in touch with Noel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelwarnell/
Get his book here: https://amzn.eu/d/6pX5VCz
Takeaways
* Agility is not just about following a process; it's about delivering value.
* The perception of agility has evolved significantly over the years.
* The idea that 'Agile is dead' is largely clickbait and misleading.
* Agile practitioners need to demonstrate their value in measurable terms.
* Clarity, action, and results are essential for successful agile practices.
* Different contexts require different agile tools and approaches.
* Data-driven decision-making is crucial for product owners.
* Motivating teams with data can lead to better outcomes.
* There is a significant opportunity for improvement in the agile industry. It's crucial to understand the problem you're solving.
* Proving value through data and case studies is essential.
* Having honest conversations about fit is important.
* Saying no to the wrong opportunities maintains integrity.
* Experience shapes our understanding and approach to Agile.
* Community and shared knowledge enhance our practices.
* Collective strength in the Agile community is vital.
* Continuous improvement should be a focus for all professionals.
* Humility is a key trait in successful Agile practitioners.
* Sharing experiences fosters growth and learning in the industry.
Sound Bites
"Agile is dead? It's clickbait!"
"Let's get our s**t together and align!"
"What problem are you trying to solve?"
"We need to prove our value."
"Be willing to say no to things."
"Together we are stronger."
"We all want the same thing."
"Continuous improvement is key."
"Be brave, be bold, share your stories."
"Humility is important in our community."
"The more we know, the better we are."
Get full access to The Agile Matrix Podcast at theagilematrixpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
More
Summary In this episode of the Agile Matrix podcast, host Temi interviews Noel Warnell, Chief Energy Officer of Now Agile Limited. Noel shares his journey into the world of agility, discussing the evolution of agile practices over the past 15 years, the misconceptions surrounding the idea that 'Agile is dead', and the importance of measuring success in tangible terms. He emphasises the need for agile practitioners to focus on clarity, action, and results, and to use data to motivate teams and drive prioritisation. The conversation underscores the significance of understanding the context in which agile tools are applied and the necessity for ongoing improvement within the agile industry. In this engaging conversation, Temi and Noel explore the competitive landscape of Agile coaching, emphasising the importance of proving value through data and case studies. They discuss the significance of a good fit in professional roles, the necessity of having honest conversations, and the importance of saying no to unsuitable opportunities. Noel shares insights from his 15 years of experience, highlighting the power of community and collective strength in the Agile space. The discussion culminates in a call to action for professionals to share their knowledge and experiences to foster growth and improvement within the industry. Get in touch with Noel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelwarnell/ Get his book here: https://amzn.eu/d/6pX5VCz Takeaways * Agility is not just about following a process; it's about delivering value. * The perception of agility has evolved significantly over the years. * The idea that 'Agile is dead' is largely clickbait and misleading. * Agile practitioners need to demonstrate their value in measurable terms. * Clarity, action, and results are essential for successful agile practices. * Different contexts require different agile tools and approaches. * Data-driven decision-making is crucial for product owners. * Motivating teams with data can lead to better outcomes. * There is a significant opportunity for improvement in the agile industry. It's crucial to understand the problem you're solving. * Proving value through data and case studies is essential. * Having honest conversations about fit is important. * Saying no to the wrong opportunities maintains integrity. * Experience shapes our understanding and approach to Agile. * Community and shared knowledge enhance our practices. * Collective strength in the Agile community is vital. * Continuous improvement should be a focus for all professionals. * Humility is a key trait in successful Agile practitioners. * Sharing experiences fosters growth and learning in the industry. Sound Bites "Agile is dead? It's clickbait!" "Let's get our s**t together and align!" "What problem are you trying to solve?" "We need to prove our value." "Be willing to say no to things." "Together we are stronger." "We all want the same thing." "Continuous improvement is key." "Be brave, be bold, share your stories." "Humility is important in our community." "The more we know, the better we are." Get full access to The Agile Matrix Podcast at theagilematrixpodcast.substack.com/subscribe