a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

Why Slow Processes Impact Developer Productivity and Performance

Explores how inefficient processes, not individual shortcomings, hinder developer productivity and performance, highlighting the need for systemic improvements.

Published on
1 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/CkgnD5GYbI8

I once heard a leader say, “This developer is too slow.” No, the process was slow.

If someone on your team is struggling, it’s not a personal failing—it’s a system failure. Maybe they weren’t given the right training. Maybe work sits in review for weeks. Maybe the handoffs between teams are a mess.

Nigel Thurlow puts it perfectly:
“You never measure a person, ever. You only ever measure a process. You improve the system, never the people within it.”

People don’t fail in a vacuum. The system sets them up for success or failure. If you’re spending time trying to fix the person, you’re missing the real problem.

Want better performance? Fix the process.

Have you ever seen someone get blamed for a system failure?

Also published on: LinkedIn
Team Performance Operational Practices Sociotechnical Systems Software Development Continuous Improvement
Subscribe

Related Blog

Related videos

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd. Logo

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

NIT A/S

Higher Education Statistics Agency Logo

Higher Education Statistics Agency

Healthgrades Logo

Healthgrades

Graham & Brown Logo

Graham & Brown

Genus Breeding Ltd Logo

Genus Breeding Ltd

Qualco Logo

Qualco

Illumina Logo

Illumina

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Philips Logo

Philips

Sage Logo

Sage

Milliman Logo

Milliman

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

Deliotte Logo

Deliotte

Jack Links Logo

Jack Links

Slicedbread Logo

Slicedbread

Slaughter and May Logo

Slaughter and May

Big Data for Humans Logo

Big Data for Humans

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Washington Department of Transport Logo

Washington Department of Transport

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Royal Air Force Logo

Royal Air Force

Boxit Document Solutions Logo

Boxit Document Solutions

Boeing Logo

Boeing

Kongsberg Maritime Logo

Kongsberg Maritime

Teleplan Logo

Teleplan

Schlumberger Logo

Schlumberger

New Signature Logo

New Signature