The meeting topic: An Agile Simulation

Explaining what an Agile process entails can sometimes be difficult, especially to people that are not familiar with any software development practices. What is one to do in such as situation? Play a game of course! This month's meeting will focus on a game based simulation to show some of the aspects what a scrum approach looks like in non-technical terms. Since Martin Olson is leading it, you can be sure that there won't be any technical abilities required. All you have to know how to do is roll a die and count.

We'll set up the game and run through a couple of iterations and collect our metrics. After we've gotten a feel for the process and various components and characteristics, we'll discuss our observations and answer any questions the group might have about the game, an agile approach at large or Martin's apparent lack of technical skills.

This will be a good session to bring those that are not familiar with Agile but have an interest. It is doubtful that we'd be able to cover all the facets of an agile approach in one evening, but hopefully we can provide some foundations and common ground that your organization
and work from. Since we're meeting at Centriq, you should plan on
eating before you arrive. (Five Guys and some other eateries are
located across the street). This is tentatively the last meeting for
2011 since late November and December are typically filled with holiday obligations. If you feel strongly and would like to try to meet again before the end of the year, please attend and make your voice heard.

Martin Olson is a principal at Silicon Prairie Solutions and has worked as an Agile Coach, Scrum Master and General Cat Herder since 2003.