Contributor Profile: Kent J. McDonald

Kent McDonald explores the idea that using an agile methodology is akin to improvisational theater. Like every metaphor for agile, improv theater does fail in some points, but it can be helpful when viewed from the perspective of collaboration.

An interesting paradox many project teams face is that while collaboration is highly valued, collaboration often takes the form of one of the biggest time wasters humans have ever invented—meetings. Kent McDonald explores effective approaches to leading an effective meeting.

One of the more often repeated phrases from the lean startup and customer development lexicon is the admonition to "get out of the building" in order to meet and learn about customers. What project teams should take away from this idea is the need to interact with stakeholders to address problems.