a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

Why is Lego a shit idea for a Scrum trainer - Part 2

TL;DR; Using Lego in Scrum training oversimplifies the real complexity of software development, as Lego pieces fit together too easily and do not reflect the integration challenges teams actually face. This can create unrealistic expectations and trivialize the difficulties of real projects. Development managers should choose training tools that better represent the unpredictable and varied nature of software work.

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Confronting Complexity 

In Part 2 of this exploration, we dive deeper into another pivotal reason that makes Lego a less-than-ideal tool in Scrum training.  

The challenge? Acknowledging complexity. 🤯🚀 

Complexity in Focus 

A fundamental idea we aim to instil is understanding the nuanced complexity of contemporary work, especially when it veers into uncharted territories. 🌌💼 

Lego: Over-Simplification of Reality 

Navigating the world of Scrum training, we often encounter tools that aim to elucidate concepts, yet sometimes, as with Lego, we find ourselves facing an oversimplification of the intricate realities we aim to convey. 

  • Uniformity Over Variance 🧱: Lego pieces, designed to fit perfectly, oversimplify the intricate, often messy, world of software development

  • Incompatibility Issues 💻: Real-world software pieces, unlike Lego, are notorious for their integration challenges, something Lego fails to emulate. 

Why Lego Falls Short 

  • Oversimplification 🎭: Using Lego can lead to an unrealistic expectation of seamless integration in complex tasks. 

  • Mismatched Metaphors 🤹: The consistency and predictability of Lego contrasts starkly with the high variance and uniqueness of software projects. 

  • Trivialising Challenges 🕹️: Lego inadvertently minimizes the struggles faced when merging disparate elements in software development. 

How-to Foster Realistic Understanding 

Embrace Complexity 🔍: Choose training tools and exercises that mirror the unpredictable nature of real-world tasks. 

Strategic Analogies 🗺️: Opt for metaphors and examples that do justice to the challenges faced in software development. 

Realism Oversimplification 

In understanding why Lego may not serve as the best conduit for Scrum training, it’s essential to recognize the need for aligning training tools with the realities of complex, uncharted endeavours.  

Stay tuned for more insights in this exploration. 🌟🔄

One of one of the main ideas that we’re trying to get across is this different sort of working that is based on complexity. Right, the work that we’re doing has a really high variance of time, which makes it incredibly complex. We’re doing things that have never been done before, and I feel like Lego is completely the opposite of that. Like, Lego bricks fit together. I don’t know if you’ve ever built software, but trying to get two bits of software that were built independently to fit together is an absolute nightmare. Lego trivializes that story.

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