a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

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

Explains why using Lego in Scrum training oversimplifies real-world software complexity, leading to unrealistic expectations and missing key integration challenges.

Published on
2 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/mqgffRQi6bY
Subscribe

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.

Subscribe

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.​

Hubtel Ghana Logo

Hubtel Ghana

DFDS Logo

DFDS

New Signature Logo

New Signature

Graham & Brown Logo

Graham & Brown

NIT A/S

Emerson Process Management Logo

Emerson Process Management

Epic Games Logo

Epic Games

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd. Logo

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

Boeing Logo

Boeing

Philips Logo

Philips

Ericson Logo

Ericson

Kongsberg Maritime Logo

Kongsberg Maritime

Illumina Logo

Illumina

Microsoft Logo

Microsoft

ALS Life Sciences Logo

ALS Life Sciences

Milliman Logo

Milliman

Slaughter and May Logo

Slaughter and May

Lockheed Martin Logo

Lockheed Martin

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

Washington Department of Transport Logo

Washington Department of Transport

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo

New Hampshire Supreme Court

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Lockheed Martin Logo

Lockheed Martin

Jack Links Logo

Jack Links

Slaughter and May Logo

Slaughter and May

Healthgrades Logo

Healthgrades

Higher Education Statistics Agency Logo

Higher Education Statistics Agency

Akaditi Logo

Akaditi