Sept 23, 2021
I cannot begin to tell you how frustrating it is to be in a contentious team discussion when we realize that we are either four names for the same thing or one definition applied to four disparate terms. It would be so much better if we were all talking about the same thing. To accomplish this, we need to have a common understanding of those “things.”
A good starting point is a list of terms and a clear definition for each of them. In other words, a glossary. There are several different Agile glossaries available depending on your chosen approach (Scrum, XP, Scaled Agile, etc.). The glossaries have a lot in common, but also some specific differences. It is important to become familiar with the terms defined by your approach, and to make sure that everyone understands and uses the terms in the same way.
Here are some of the most common Agile terms used in the industry. But remember, being Agile requires a lot more than just common terms. It is a shift in culture and mindset for most companies which requires guidance from someone who has made that shift. So, get help from an ICON Coach or mentor who has experience making the Agile transition to ensure success in your own.
Here are links to some other examples of Agile glossaries:
Ed is a Trainer, Coach, Mentor, and Agile Transformation Leader with over 40 years of IT experience. He has performed many roles, from Developer/Tester to Project Manager on projects of all sizes in telecom and has been involved in Agile Transformations at multiple companies in retail, telecom, finance, insurance, and oil/gas domains for over 20 years. Ed is team-focused and likes to facilitate discussions with the right people to resolve problems, applying his experience and the Agile/SAFe principles to discover a solution. Ed has been an SPC since 2012 and has helped launch many Agile Release Trains for various companies.