101agile content

everything you need to get started

Jonathan Kahn 1 February 2016

Photography: Paul Clarke

agile content 101

what is agile content? how does it help teams to create content that meetsuser needs?

although we know how to make content that meets user needs… …it’s difficult to convince colleagues to work with us… …even when the organisation uses agile practices.

we can embrace the spirit of agile… …and stay committed to content that meets user needs. how?

agile content

practices that help teams work together inspired by agile development

To create content that meets user needs, embrace both the agile spirit and other techniques for working together.

either/or both/and

Mindsets

Illustrations © Hannah du Plessis. Used by permission.

either/or both/and

I’m right and you’re wrong both our perspectives matter

Illustrations © Hannah du Plessis. Used by permission.

content conflicts are caused by “either/or” mindset collaboration practices (including agile) encourage “both/and” mindset we can use these practices to resolve conflict and work together to create content that meets user needs

content conflicts are caused by “either/or” mindset

content conflicts are caused by “either/or” mindset ✔ collaboration practices (including agile) encourage “both/and” mindset we can use these practices to resolve conflict and work together to create content that meets user needs

collaboration practices (including agile) encourage “both/and” mindset

user story sprint stand-up retrospective minimum viable product kanban board

user storyDescribes how a product can meet a user need:

as a [user] I want to [do something] so I can [meet a need]

Example from GOV.UK: as a vehicle owner I want to find out how much it costs to tax my vehicle so I can pay the right amount of vehicle tax

sprint

Period of time (eg a week) during which a team delivers a working prototype/product. Team chooses user stories to prioritise during the sprint.

stand-up

A meeting held at the start of the day to promote regular communication. Team stands in a circle for up to 15 minutes.

stand-up

Each person shares what: they did yesterday they hope to do today is blocking their progress

retrospective

Meeting at end of sprint to reflect on what worked and what we’d like to improve.

retrospective

Facilitator helps team to: share responsibility for choices build trust through mutual support

minimum viable product

A live product or prototype built with the minimum effort necessary to learn about user needs.

kanban board

Visual representation of team’s work. Principles:

visualise workflow limit work in progress adjust the process often

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrishuffman/

Trello: https://trello.com

user story sprint stand-up retrospective minimum viable product kanban board

collaboration practices (including agile) encourage “both/and” mindset

pair writing

two people sit together to write builds understanding and trust

these practices encourage “both/and” mindset

pair writing user stories for content active listening for content workshops user research to help teams understand user needs

content conflicts are caused by “either/or” mindset ✔ collaboration practices (including agile) encourage “both/and” mindset ✔ we can use these practices to resolve conflict and work together to create content that meets user needs

we can use these practices to resolve conflict and work together to create content that meets user needs

content conflicts are caused by “either/or” mindset ✔ collaboration practices (including agile) encourage “both/and” mindset ✔ we can use these practices to resolve conflict and work together to create content that meets user needs ✔

To create content that meets user needs, embrace both the agile spirit and other techniques for working together.

either/or both/and

Illustrations © Hannah du Plessis. Used by permission.

both/and

Illustrations © Hannah du Plessis. Used by permission.

pair writing user stories for content active listening user research

101agile content

everything you need to get started

Jonathan Kahn 1 February 2016

Photography: Paul Clarke