https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/concepts/discipline/ Recent content in Discipline on Engineering as a Leadership System Hugo en Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:40:35 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/transforming-chaos-into-clarity-how-optimising-systems-fuels-engineering-excellence/ Mon, 16 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/transforming-chaos-into-clarity-how-optimising-systems-fuels-engineering-excellence/ Unmanaged chaos in software delivery leads to poor quality, technical debt, and wasted resources. Optimising systems and processes, as shown by Microsoft’s transformation of their DevOps team, enables faster delivery, higher productivity, and better products by reducing technical debt and improving testing practices. Development managers should prioritise system optimisation and technical leadership to empower teams and drive sustainable engineering excellence. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/where-agile-went-wrong-understanding-the-competence-crisis/ Mon, 14 Oct 2024 07:00:38 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/where-agile-went-wrong-understanding-the-competence-crisis/ Agile has struggled because its founders assumed widespread competence and commitment to continuous learning, but most organizations lack enough skilled practitioners, especially in key roles like Scrum Master. This competence gap is worsened by low hiring standards and overreliance on basic certifications, leading to ineffective teams and missed opportunities for improvement. Development managers should prioritize hiring and promoting individuals with proven learning habits, deep contextual understanding, and advanced expertise to build high-performing Agile teams. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-competence-crisis-in-scrum-master-roles-a-call-for-excellence/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:00:09 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-competence-crisis-in-scrum-master-roles-a-call-for-excellence/ There is a widespread lack of competence among Scrum Masters due to high demand, low entry barriers, and insufficient experience, which undermines team and organizational effectiveness. Effective Scrum Masters need deep practical experience, a solid understanding of software development and DevOps, and the ability to support both teams and Product Owners while driving organizational change. Development managers should prioritize hiring or developing Scrum Masters with real-world experience and a commitment to continuous learning, rather than relying on certifications alone. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-important-is-devops-in-continuous-delivery-of-value-to-customers/ Mon, 20 Feb 2023 07:00:10 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-important-is-devops-in-continuous-delivery-of-value-to-customers/ DevOps is essential for delivering value to customers because it enables teams to quickly and effectively turn ideas into working software, closely aligning with agile principles. Both DevOps and agile focus on rapid feedback, continuous improvement, and adapting to customer needs, making them deeply interconnected. Development managers should ensure their teams integrate DevOps practices to accelerate delivery, validate value, and reduce risk. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/from-chaos-to-clarity-my-journey-through-devops-and-the-three-key-challenges-to-overcome/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:34:59 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/from-chaos-to-clarity-my-journey-through-devops-and-the-three-key-challenges-to-overcome/ The author describes moving from chaotic, manual development practices to adopting DevOps, highlighting three main challenges: shifting culture and collaboration, integrating and automating toolchains, and fostering continuous learning. Success requires systems thinking, strong feedback loops, and a culture of experimentation. Development managers should focus on supporting people, streamlining processes, and encouraging ongoing learning to deliver better products faster. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-pitfalls-of-routine-agile-questions-avoiding-the-ghosts-of-agile-past/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:00:13 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-pitfalls-of-routine-agile-questions-avoiding-the-ghosts-of-agile-past/ Focusing daily meetings on routine status questions leads to disengagement and distracts from delivering real value. Instead, teams should use these meetings to track progress toward sprint goals, manage aging tasks before they become bottlenecks, and adapt ceremonies to support value delivery and continuous improvement. Review your Agile practices and shift the focus from individual updates to team outcomes for better results. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/articles/from-unused-gym-memberships-to-agile-implementation-the-parallels-of-misapplied-investments/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/articles/from-unused-gym-memberships-to-agile-implementation-the-parallels-of-misapplied-investments/ Adopting agile methods is like buying a gym membership; real benefits come only with consistent, committed practice rather than superficial adoption. Key to success are breaking down goals, fostering cross-functional teams, and maintaining quality instead of just following rituals. Development managers should focus on genuine agile implementation and ongoing improvement to avoid wasted investment and missed opportunities. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-does-naked-agility-select-associate-scrum-trainers/ Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:35:57 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-does-naked-agility-select-associate-scrum-trainers/ Naked Agility selects associate Scrum Trainers based on real-world agile experience, proven problem-solving skills, and the ability to engage and inspire teams, not just theoretical knowledge. Trainers are evaluated through co-training and must demonstrate deep expertise as practitioners, coaches, or consultants who can address industry-specific challenges and empower teams to apply agile effectively. If you need agile training or coaching from experienced professionals who understand complex environments, consider reaching out to Naked Agility. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-is-satya-nadella-a-better-example-of-agile-leadership-than-steve-jobs/ Wed, 01 Feb 2023 07:00:10 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-is-satya-nadella-a-better-example-of-agile-leadership-than-steve-jobs/ Satya Nadella is a stronger example of agile leadership than Steve Jobs because he built a culture of innovation and empowered teams across Microsoft, rather than centralizing decision-making and innovation in one person. Nadella decentralized authority, focused on meaningful metrics that drive customer value, and fostered continuous improvement and collaboration throughout the organization. Development managers should consider enabling team autonomy and aligning incentives with customer outcomes to drive sustainable innovation. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/hardest-part-of-becoming-a-professional-scrum-master/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:00:12 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/hardest-part-of-becoming-a-professional-scrum-master/ The biggest challenge in becoming a professional Scrum Master is the widespread lack of true professionalism in the role, as many focus on titles rather than mastering the underlying principles and continuous learning. Success requires a deep understanding of Scrum theory and its real-world application, not just surface-level knowledge. Development managers should encourage their teams to prioritize professionalism and ongoing skill development to raise industry standards. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-devops-and-how-is-it-different-to-agile/ Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-devops-and-how-is-it-different-to-agile/ DevOps and Agile are fundamentally the same, both aiming to deliver value to customers and organizations by focusing on rapid feedback, continuous improvement, and systems thinking. The main difference is perspective, with each emphasizing different aspects of the delivery process, but both require the right tools and practices to optimize the whole system. Development managers should ensure Agile and DevOps work together to maximize value and improve outcomes across the organization. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/devops-demystified-why-it's-more-than-just-tools-and-how-to-embrace-its-true-value/ Wed, 07 Jun 2023 07:00:02 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/devops-demystified-why-it's-more-than-just-tools-and-how-to-embrace-its-true-value/ DevOps is not just about tools like Azure DevOps but is a broader idea focused on improving engineering systems through collaboration, agility, and continuous improvement. Shifting your team’s mindset from tool selection to embracing DevOps principles will lead to better performance and product quality. Focus on how DevOps concepts can enhance your processes rather than relying solely on specific tools. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-your-feeling-on-creating-agile-apprenticeships/ Fri, 17 Mar 2023 07:00:21 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-your-feeling-on-creating-agile-apprenticeships/ Creating Agile apprenticeships is a natural next step from immersive learning, as ongoing engagement with trainees has organically formed a community of Agile learners. Key initiatives include open invitations for informal discussions, bonus consulting time, and a mentor-apprentice model that supports continuous growth and knowledge sharing. Development managers should consider fostering similar environments to encourage ongoing learning and mentorship within their teams. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-do-you-think-agile-is-evolving-since-its-inception-in-2001/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 07:00:07 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-do-you-think-agile-is-evolving-since-its-inception-in-2001/ Agile has evolved since 2001, but many organizations still rely on top-down management rather than empowering teams to make decisions. The next major shift will be moving beyond just adopting frameworks like Scrum to building true agile capabilities across leadership, partners, and teams, focusing on adaptability and customer value. Development managers should revisit agile principles and work to remove barriers that prevent teams from responding quickly to change. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-key-to-being-an-effective-agile-coach-understanding-the-team-s-context/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 11:00:55 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-key-to-being-an-effective-agile-coach-understanding-the-team-s-context/ Effective Agile coaching requires understanding your team’s specific work and context, not just Agile frameworks. Coaches with domain experience or those who actively learn about their team’s challenges can offer more relevant, practical advice and build trust. Development managers should ensure their coaches engage deeply with teams’ day-to-day realities to maximize impact. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/articles/round-up-for-2017-and-beyond-agility-devops-and-everything-in-between/ Tue, 28 Nov 2017 17:10:00 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/articles/round-up-for-2017-and-beyond-agility-devops-and-everything-in-between/ The author reflects on a busy year of speaking at global conferences and delivering workshops focused on Agile, Scrum, and DevOps, noting that training provides more lasting value to clients than consulting. Key insights include the importance of stepping out of comfort zones, sharing practical knowledge to empower teams, and prioritizing structured, engaging training. Development managers should consider investing in team training to build internal capability and drive better outcomes. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/avoiding-the-local-optimisation-trap-how-to-ensure-your-governance-drives-organisational-success/ Sat, 08 Feb 2025 07:49:38 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/avoiding-the-local-optimisation-trap-how-to-ensure-your-governance-drives-organisational-success/ Focusing on optimising individual teams or processes without considering their impact on the whole organisation can create inefficiencies and misalignment. Integrating governance into daily work and encouraging cross-team collaboration helps ensure decisions support overall business goals. Development managers should prioritise system-wide alignment over isolated improvements to drive lasting organisational success. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/discipline-versus-motivation/ Mon, 15 May 2023 07:00:21 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/discipline-versus-motivation/ Motivation gets Agile transformations started, but discipline is what sustains progress and ensures teams stick to Scrum practices and values. Both are essential for lasting success; motivation inspires teams to begin, while discipline keeps them committed through challenges. Development managers should foster both to drive effective Agile adoption and continuous improvement. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-do-devops-and-agile-integrate/ Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:30:08 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-do-devops-and-agile-integrate/ DevOps and Agile are closely connected, each offering a different but complementary focus: DevOps emphasizes engineering and continuous delivery, while Agile centers on people and process. Combining both approaches helps teams achieve better results by leveraging their unique strengths together. Development managers should encourage their teams to integrate both mindsets for optimal performance. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/navigating-the-balance-how-lean-governance-can-boost-agility-and-innovation-in-your-organisation/ Sun, 09 Feb 2025 22:00:37 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/navigating-the-balance-how-lean-governance-can-boost-agility-and-innovation-in-your-organisation/ Excessive or siloed governance can slow down your organisation and stifle innovation, often leading to unnecessary processes that do not add value. Focusing on lean governance by regularly reviewing policies, integrating compliance into your tools, and eliminating waste helps maintain agility and efficiency. Review your current governance practices and remove or streamline anything that does not directly support compliance or business value. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-the-most-interesting-outcome-you-have-achieved-as-an-agile-consultant/ Mon, 20 Mar 2023 07:00:20 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-the-most-interesting-outcome-you-have-achieved-as-an-agile-consultant/ The most interesting outcome as an agile consultant was seeing how full company-wide commitment to agile, from leadership to frontline staff, led to lasting transformation and improved ownership at Backcountry, while lack of buy-in at another company caused agile efforts to fail and key advocates to leave. Key insights are that success depends on broad engagement and leadership support, and that agile can create a ripple effect across organizations. Development managers should ensure all levels of the company are involved and committed to agile practices for meaningful and sustainable change. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/navigating-my-most-memorable-challenge-as-an-agile-consultant-lessons-in-readiness-and-engagement/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 07:00:16 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/navigating-my-most-memorable-challenge-as-an-agile-consultant-lessons-in-readiness-and-engagement/ Organisations must be ready and willing to engage for agile consulting to be effective; without this, even the best advice will be ignored and no real progress will happen. Repeated experiences showed that lack of readiness and follow-through leads to wasted effort and stagnation. Development managers should ensure their teams are prepared to listen and act before bringing in external help. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/articles/the-evolution-of-agile-learning-insights-from-scrum-org's-webinar/ Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/articles/the-evolution-of-agile-learning-insights-from-scrum-org's-webinar/ Immersive learning, which combines incremental classroom sessions, real-world assignments, and facilitated reflection over several weeks, is proving far more effective than traditional short-term training for Agile and Scrum. This approach leads to better knowledge retention, practical application, and lasting change in participants’ skills and mindsets. Development managers should consider shifting from traditional workshops to immersive programs to achieve meaningful improvements in team performance and learning outcomes. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/devops-consulting-overview/ Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:00:14 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/devops-consulting-overview/ DevOps consulting focuses on driving real improvement by aligning culture, processes, and tools to deliver better software faster and more reliably. Key outcomes include tailored workshops, leadership alignment, and hands-on technical support across various platforms, not just Microsoft. To get the most value, approach DevOps as an ongoing journey of cultural and operational change rather than a one-time tool implementation. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-pursuing-agile-certifications-is-your-key-to-career-advancement/ Tue, 07 Mar 2023 07:00:09 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-pursuing-agile-certifications-is-your-key-to-career-advancement/ Agile certifications help validate foundational knowledge and make it easier for employers to identify qualified candidates, but real career growth comes from applying what you learn and committing to continuous improvement. Certifications like PSM1 serve as a useful screening tool and provide targeted feedback for further development. To advance your career, use certifications as a starting point and invest in ongoing learning and practical experience. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-will-the-immersive-learning-experience-change-the-game-for-people-with-a-couple-of-years-experience-in-the-field/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:00:19 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/how-will-the-immersive-learning-experience-change-the-game-for-people-with-a-couple-of-years-experience-in-the-field/ Immersive learning helps experienced Agile practitioners deepen their expertise by connecting real-world challenges with advanced theory and practical assignments, leading to more meaningful breakthroughs. It leverages their existing knowledge, encourages nuanced questions, and tailors learning to specific needs. Development managers should consider immersive learning to accelerate team growth and address complex, real-world problems more effectively. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/there-s-no-such-thing-as-an-agile-transformation-why-you-should-focus-on-the-system-not-the-culture/ Sun, 21 Jan 2024 07:00:06 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/there-s-no-such-thing-as-an-agile-transformation-why-you-should-focus-on-the-system-not-the-culture/ Focusing on changing organizational culture directly does not work because culture is an outcome of the underlying system, such as rules, processes, and decision-making structures. To achieve real and lasting change, development managers should make small, targeted adjustments to these systems, monitor the impact on team behavior, and iterate as needed. Leaders must support and model these changes, as system tweaks drive the cultural shifts that Agile aims for. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-taylorism-and-how-did-it-influence-project-management/ Wed, 22 Feb 2023 07:00:28 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-taylorism-and-how-did-it-influence-project-management/ Taylorism established command-and-control management focused on efficiency, standardization, and strict hierarchies, which shaped traditional project management and works well for simple or repeatable tasks. However, this approach fails in complex environments where creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are needed, leading to the rise of Agile methods. Development managers should recognize where traditional project management fits and adopt Agile practices for complex, uncertain projects to stay effective. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/concepts/discipline/ Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:30:00 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/concepts/discipline/ A discipline is a structured and evolving field of study and practice that encompasses shared principles, codified knowledge, and established standards of professional behaviour, extending beyond mere tools or techniques. In modern work systems, disciplines such as Project Management, Systems Engineering, and Product Strategy are recognised as mature capabilities that organisations depend on to achieve consistent, high-quality outcomes. The essence of a discipline lies not only in the actions of its practitioners but also in their cognitive processes, their ability to navigate complexity, and their commitment to continuous learning and improvement. This includes the governance structures, ethical considerations, and frameworks that inform professional conduct across diverse contexts. Understanding the systemic application and maturation of a discipline is crucial, as it highlights how these fields are formed, evolve over time, and ultimately influence organisational performance at scale. This knowledge is particularly valuable in agile, DevOps, and product development environments, where adaptability and effective collaboration are essential for success. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/tags/project-management/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:17:24 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/tags/project-management/ Project Management is the systematic discipline focused on planning, executing, and overseeing projects to achieve specific goals while adhering to constraints such as time, cost, and scope. It encompasses the coordination of people, processes, and technologies to ensure successful project outcomes in a structured and repeatable manner. Originating from various methodologies, modern project management incorporates both traditional frameworks like Waterfall and PRINCE2, as well as more flexible approaches such as Agile and hybrid models, which are adapted based on the project’s complexity and context. The importance of project management lies in its ability to align teams around common objectives, proactively manage risks, and maintain stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, it fosters a culture of continuous improvement by emphasising lessons learned and the regular review of performance metrics. Ultimately, effective project management aims to deliver value consistently while adeptly navigating change, uncertainty, and complexity, making it a critical component in agile practices, DevOps, product development, and organisational design. https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/categories/technical-leadership/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:17:24 +0000 https://engineering.hinshelwood.com/categories/technical-leadership/ Technical leadership refers to the practice of guiding development teams by leveraging technical expertise and agile methodologies to enhance their performance and output. Originating from the need for effective direction in software development, it is employed to ensure that teams can deliver value in a predictable and sustainable manner. This role is vital in the context of agile, DevOps, and product development as it fosters an environment conducive to innovation and continuous improvement. Technical leaders help teams navigate complex challenges, ensuring that technical decisions are aligned with both organisational objectives and customer requirements. They promote long-term thinking and systemic approaches, enabling the creation of adaptable solutions. By cultivating a culture of experimentation and learning, technical leaders facilitate collaboration across various disciplines, breaking down silos and encouraging shared ownership of project outcomes. Distinct from Agile leadership, which focuses on team dynamics, technical leadership prioritises the technical skills necessary for informed decision-making regarding architecture, design, and implementation. This focus on empowering teams to pursue technical excellence not only enhances the quality of deliverables but also strengthens the organisation’s capacity to respond effectively to market changes and customer feedback, ultimately contributing to long-term success and resilience in a fast-paced environment.