Applying Agile Methodologies to Traditional Publishing Kristen McLean Bookigee, Inc. February 12 th, 2011

Kristen McLean Founder & CEO Bookigee Hello! Who are you?

My Story (or rather the story that wasnt)

Agile

Agile is a workflow strategy

The Agile Manifesto We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value: Individuals and interactions over processes and tools Working software over comprehensive documentation Customer collaboration over contract negotiation Responding to change over following a plan That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more. -

Key Concepts

Quick cycles

Self-organizing working groups

Complex tasks into smaller goals

Iteration

Risk management

Process over perfection

End product from learning not knowing

Test assumptions early and often

The Lean Cycle Idea s Produc t Data Build Learn Measur e

Agile workflow -vs- Agile content

Slow cycles Hierarchical working groups Final product rigid from beginning Perfection over process Mindset = Knower, not learners

What would an Agile environment look like? Simplicity avoid complex systems, and time-intensive documentation Regular adaptation to changing circumstances presume you dont know the answer Self-organizing teams with flexible skills get highly talented and interdisciplinary individuals Accountability & empowerment Give them what they need and trust them to get the work done. Customer interaction & satisfaction extremely important get out of the building Close, daily co-operation between business people and creatives Both on the same team Sustainable development, able to maintain a constant pace each person should be able to commit only to what they can do in a day, a week, or a production cycle. Cut back features in order to deliver on time. Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication (co-location) put the entire team in one place. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design Produce less, but make it better. Completed tasks are delivered frequently (weeks rather than months) Completed tasks are the principal measure of progress focus on real stuff, not on rituals, documentation, or other internal benchmarks that do nothing for your customer.

Agile content?

Agile content Qs: Crowd –vs– solo creator Authorship –vs– editorship Scaleability

Kristen McLean BKGKristen Goodbye!