Breaking Free from Agile Theater: Using Outcome Mapping to Drive Real Change

In this episode of Scaling With Agility, Yuval explores the phenomenon of 'Agile Theater'—where organizations go through the motions of Agile practices without achieving meaningful outcomes. Yuval introduces Outcome Mapping, a tool learned from Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden, to identify and address these superficial practices. He explains how to recognize 'Agile Theater' behaviors such as mechanically following processes without understanding their value. Yuval discusses the importance of focusing on real outcomes rather than vanity metrics and emphasizes the need for leadership to foster autonomy and trust in teams. He advocates for mapping current behaviors, understanding their drivers, and aligning them with desired impacts to break the cycle of ineffective practices. Through real-world examples, Yuval illustrates how organizations can transition from output-focused to outcome-focused approaches to achieve true agility.

00:00 Introduction to Agile Theater

00:28 Understanding Agile Theater Behaviors

02:45 Exploring OKRs and Their Impact

05:25 The Importance of Alignment and Autonomy

06:50 Building Trust and Empowerment

10:51 Addressing Agile Theater Challenges

14:51 Creating Positive Outcomes and Flywheels

16:24 Case Study: Frequent Releases

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