Author: allan kelly
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The Shadow IT hanging over AI
AI coding tools are making coding easier so expect to see a boom in end-user coded shadow IT systems which means both innovation and headaches
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6 less appreciated points about the brave new AI world
AI is tied up with hype and fear, but we need to get beyond that and apply AI to problems always
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AI or not AI: you still need to test
Grok demonstrates AI systems need testing: testing is only going to become more important in the AI age
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Rational irrationality and anarchy in the workplace
Our mental models need updating. In a garbage can world rational thinking might be making things worse, the only repeatable method is in the rear view mirror.
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Why do we have runaway WIP?
Can’t decide, optimism, too interesting, yes not no – some of the reasons behind runaway WIP
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Evolving Agile: the motion picture
Video blog describing the Agile Evolution and my own journey from Xanpan to Objective Driven
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Agile: not Dead, but evolving
Head on: is agile dead? No, it is everywhere. But the mania is over. Agile won’t return, but the ideas in it will.
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Listen to my Top-5 intriguing tips for using OKRs
Top-5 tips for working with OKRs – podcast interview
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6 ways my OKRs are different
To some OKRs are an evil management enforcement technique. They aren’t. Here are 6 ways I see OKRs driving change and improvement.
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What I’ve been getting wrong about PDCA
The 4 steps of the PDCA cycle are not equal, the fourth step might be the shortest, and it might be the most overlooked, but it is the most important.
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If AI is the solution, what is the problem?
AI is actually 3 technologies and we need to keep asking “What is the problem?” before we jump to solutions
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Patterns for building a learning organization
Patterns for building a learning organization – download for free
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4 quick fixes to bring order out of choas
In which I discuss four quick fixes I use to bring order from chaos plus a couple which are slower
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What makes Product Managers hetrogenous
Product Manager roles are hetrogenous. The corporate environment, product lifecycle stage and the supporting roles present are key driver of these differences.
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Is there a difference between an Objective or goal?
Objective or gaol? I used to use the two words interchangeably, now I see an important difference. The post Is there a difference between an Objective or goal? first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Diversity at conferences
Observations and suggestions on the conflicts and problems increasing diversity at conferences The post Diversity at conferences first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Mental health, life pivots and thanks
Thanks you readers, you have helped me through a mental health crisis. The post Mental health, life pivots and thanks first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Change management: My dirty little secret
I don’t really believe in change management, for a long time I didn’t think had a view of change, but actually, I do have some principles which guide my approach. The post Change management: My dirty little secret first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Seperate what & how with the OKR 2 step
Use the OKR 2 step to seperate setting an objective from planning how to deliver that objective The post Seperate what & how with the OKR 2 step first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Eggs within eggs: goal alignment
Goals are wrapped inside goals withing goals – recognise this and work towards alignment The post Eggs within eggs: goal alignment first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Why I want to rename OKRs to OACs
Anyone mind if I rename OKRs? Calling them Outcomes and Acceptance Criteria would make everything clearer The post Why I want to rename OKRs to OACs first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Should I rollover the team OKRs?
Don’t rollover your OKRs to the next quarter, the world has changed, rewrite them but don’t roll then over. The post Should I rollover the team OKRs? first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Reach your North Star with a compass not a roadmap
Following a North Star? – a compass will be more useful than a map, even a roadmap The post Reach your North Star with a compass not a roadmap first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Priority #2 postscript: Eisenhower and costs
Priority #2 problems defy the Eisenhower matrix for 3 good reasons. The post Priority #2 postscript: Eisenhower and costs first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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The sound of #NoBacklogs
Challenging the Agile Status Quo with #NoBacklogs – a Scrum Master Toolbox podcast with Duarte Vasco The post The sound of #NoBacklogs first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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The Priority #2 problem I share with Leeds
Priority 2 problems are things that should get done but are not urgent or important enough to prioritise above other P2 things. The post The Priority #2 problem I share with Leeds first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Building it isn’t the problem – guess what is?
The Madrid metro expansion demonstrates that enigneering may not be the problem. The management approach and organization is more important. The post Building it isn’t the problem – guess what is? first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Race against risk
There are those who think “projects can save money by going slow.” I’ve never quite understood this because the same things still need doing but even serious people say it (HS2 anyone?). Actually, they are trading reduced expenditure now for longer expenditure in the future. Maybe that means that less money needs to be borrowed…
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New year: out with the old
My first blog of 2025, and following my annual procedure I have created a new archive for this year’s posts. Then I reviewed all posts that didn’t get published last year. Among all the posts you will have enjoyed last year there are half as many again which didn’t get published. Half a dozen have…
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Core message – succeeding with OKRs
OKRs are mechanism for agreeing shared goals, communicating goals and driving action, to work everyone on the team should be included and everyone is responsible. The post Core message – succeeding with OKRs first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Writing OKRs masterclass online in January
My online Writing OKRs Masterclass is back in January learn how to write OKRs, understanding what makes good OKRs and what to avoid! The post Writing OKRs masterclass online in January first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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How do I combine OKRs with KPIs?
To combined OKRs and KPIs start by understanding what you KPIs are The post How do I combine OKRs with KPIs? first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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The first agile transformation failure
The first agile transformation failure was 15 years before the manifesto. The post The first agile transformation failure first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Little book of workflow management
I have a confession to make. I recently published a series of articles not on this blog, and not even in my newsletter. I wanted to try something a bit different. I wanted to try writing short descriptions of the working techniques agile teams use but without using the word agile, referring to software development,…
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Embracing shared leadership
The idea of shared leadership better describes modern work teams and resolves problems around self-organising and self-managing teams The post Embracing shared leadership first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Why I’m talking about Modern Management
We need an updated management model. Outdated, and plain bad, management are are a problem. Modern management includes agile, good jobs, psychological safety and more. The post Why I’m talking about Modern Management first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Massing saving on Succeeding with OKRs in Agile this week
Succeeding with OKRs in Agile – massive price cut for this week only The post Massing saving on Succeeding with OKRs in Agile this week first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Employees: growth driver or cost to trim?
Bad jobs are depressing and costing our company more money than they save. Good jobs are a growth driver for companies and make for happier employees. The post Employees: growth driver or cost to trim? first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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6 ideas to boost productivity
6 ideas to increase productivity The post 6 ideas to boost productivity first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Spending when uncertainty is high
When uncertainty is high the classic investment and governance model needs rethinking. The post Spending when uncertainty is high first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Playing Value Poker in the Dagons’ Den
Teams are quick to assign effort estimates to stories so why not estimate value? – how else can you prioritise by business value? The post Playing Value Poker in the Dagons’ Den first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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Focus on flow
People can be so productive in the state of flow, but creating flow in an organization is harder, there are more moving parts. Luckily we can improve our ability to see and reason about flow. The post Focus on flow first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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In search of flow
Every team is in search of flow. The Featureban game is great at illustrating flow, now I have a new video and workshop to simulate a Kanban system and flow. The post In search of flow first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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First get small, next get broad
You can’t beat thinking small for delivery, but you need to think broad when thinking about what is needed. But thinking small and broad is hard. The post First get small, next get broad first appeared on Allan Kelly.
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All agile initiatives are flawed (and thats good)
Agile is a lot like democracy. Every single agile transformation initiative is flawed. For many that is a good thing, because it means we can see the things that need fixing The post All agile initiatives are flawed (and thats good) first appeared on Allan Kelly.