FestiveFlow: When change management saves Santa's workshop

To fully appreciate this article, I encourage you to start with the captivating story by Matthias Orgler, MSc , "An Agile Christmas Story". My text builds on his tale, providing a complementary and enriched perspective. Dive into Matthias' universe first to better grasp the nuances of this festive and agile sequel!

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After completing the deliveries, Santa Claus, satisfied but slightly worried, invited his old friend CM (Change Management) for a brainstorming session. "Come on, CM, let’s discuss strategy over some hot chocolate and homemade cookies. I promise, no backlog talk until the second cup!"

CM, who knows the Workshop like the back of his hand (and every elf by name, strengths, and even their resistance to change), arrived with a bag full of colorful post-its and thought-provoking questions. The moment he stepped in, he frowned. The elves, once glowing with enthusiasm, now looked tired, almost mechanical. Conversations in the workshop were reduced to phrases like:

• "Is it done or done-done?"
• "Who’s the scrum master for the reindeer again?"

Santa asked, "CM, do we have a problem?"

CM set down his mug and gave Santa a kind yet piercing look: "My dear Santa, I won’t sugarcoat it. Your FestiveFlow has broken something here. The elves aren’t singing anymore while working, and Rudolph has clearly filed a ticket for a one-on-one retro."

Santa, bewildered: "But CM, we implemented all the agile principles! Short sprints, daily stand-ups, and even sprint reviews with the reindeer. Why isn’t it working?"

CM sighed and placed an imaginary post-it on Santa’s forehead with the words: "CULTURE MATTERS."

"Agility without engagement is like a sleigh without reindeer."

CM stood up, theatrically toured the workshop, and began his analysis:

• The elves are exhausted: "They’re not opposed to change, but you turned the joyful workshop into a Lean factory without consulting them. Result? They follow the process, but there’s no spark."
• The loss of magic: "Each toy used to carry a piece of the elf’s soul. Now, they’re just ticking off user stories in Jira like robots. Where’s the passion, Santa?"
• Reindeer rebellion: "Rudolph complained that the new roadmap doesn’t allow time for carrot breaks. And Blitzen doesn’t understand why he has to fill out a form for every test flight."

Santa, taken aback, realized that change management wasn’t just about processes but about heart and soul. He understood that for FestiveFlow to work, he needed to involve everyone, listen to their concerns, and adapt agile methods to the unique culture of the workshop.

"Thank you, CM," Santa said, smiling again. "I think it’s time to bring back some magic to our agility."

"What’s the plan?" Santa, now red with embarrassment (and not just because of his suit), timidly asked, "How do we fix all this, CM?"

CM smiled, pulling out his notebook "Change Management for Dummies—Santa’s Workshop Edition." "Here’s the plan, Santa:"

1. Put the elves at the center: "Let’s organize a co-creation workshop. They know the children’s needs better than any backlog. Let’s involve them in decisions, not just deliveries."
2. Bring back meaning: "Remind them why they do what they do. Every toy, every sleigh, every ribbon is a piece of magic that lights up a child’s eyes."
3. Celebrate successes: "No more cold sprint reviews. Let’s throw a big party after every delivery, with singing, cookies, and maybe a day off from the backlog."
4. Listen to the reindeer: "They’re tired of pulling the sleigh without being consulted. Rudolph suggests regular feedback sessions. And seriously, give them more carrot breaks."

The magic returns!

A few weeks later, the workshop buzzed with joy and energy once more. The elves had designed a revolutionary new toy (a doll that sings personalized songs), and the reindeer enthusiastically trained for the next big delivery.

CM, satisfied, sipped his final hot chocolate before leaving: "Santa, remember: FestiveFlow is great. But without engagement, it’s just a pile of post-its that ends up exhausting everyone."

Santa nodded, moved: "Thank you, CM. You’re not just a change management expert; you’re a true savior of the Workshop."

And so, the magic of the Workshop was saved, proving that with a bit of agility and a lot of humanity, even the most complex projects can succeed.

Merry Christmas and its magic!