Emily Truax

  • “Fail fast” or, the principles of Agile – The “A” Word – 07

    “Fail fast” or, the principles of Agile – The “A” Word – 07

    This is the seventh and final installment of the “A” Word, Emily Truax’s series of articles on Agile. The rest can be found here, here, here, here, here and here. Since we started our Agile rebranding adventure, our main focus has been on updating the terminology within the Agile Manifesto. We’ve updated the values with a fresh new…

  • The “A” Word – 06 – OPEN RESPONSE TO CHANGE over A PLAN TO FOLLOW

    The “A” Word – 06 – OPEN RESPONSE TO CHANGE over A PLAN TO FOLLOW

    This is part six of the “A” Word, Emily Truax’s ongoing series of articles on Agile. For previous installments, click here, here, here, here or here. Full disclosure, I’m a nerd. (I know, it’s a shock, but I’m comfortable with who I am.)  I enjoy watching competitive esports, DOTA 2 especially. For the uninitiated, DOTA 2 is a…

  • The “A” Word – 05 – Collaboration & cooperation over negotiation & compromise

    The “A” Word – 05 – Collaboration & cooperation over negotiation & compromise

    This is part five of the “A” Word, Emily Truax’s ongoing series of articles on Agile. For previous installments, click here, here, here or here. I once read a project proposal that made me cry. But not for the reason you might think. This proposal had it all: a clear and concise business case, a well-researched user…

  • The “A” Word – 04 – Measurable progress over detailed goals & expectations

    The “A” Word – 04 – Measurable progress over detailed goals & expectations

    This is part four of the “A” Word, Emily Truax’s ongoing series of articles on Agile. For previous installments, click here, here or here. If you’re anything like me, you love lists. And if you love lists to the extent that I do, then we should join a support group. Whether it’s weekly to-dos, Kanban…

  • The “A” Word – 03 – Creativity & Ingenuity over Tools & Techniques

    The “A” Word – 03 – Creativity & Ingenuity over Tools & Techniques

    After graduating with my design degree, I found myself in a pool with no water. Most opportunities I could find were out of my league or out of my area, while the ones that I qualified for were internships that paid in experience. Since I had chosen the design route to avoid the starving artist…

  • The “A” Word – 02 – Agile Values

    The “A” Word – 02 – Agile Values

    When I was studying graphic design, one of the mantras of my program was “Think outside the box.” It’s a well-known metaphor meant to spur a shift in perspective, a drive to find a new solution to an existing problem. This logo doesn’t pop? Think outside the box. This website doesn’t wow? Think outside the…

  • Opinion: The “A” Word

    Opinion: The “A” Word

    Agile: full of tiresome rules, failed experiments, and monotony. I’m here to change that. No, I’m not one of those agilists who shakes the Manifesto overhead like an impassioned minister on Sunday. But I do believe that Agile gets a bad rap. Agile is not simply a project management tool used by tech companies and…