Implementing Scrum·May 14, 2024·3 min read

Beware Of Agile Snake Oil Scams

Scrum Is One Of The Most Popular Agile Frameworks In Existence Today. Beware Of Agile Snake Oil Scams When Learning About Implementing Scrum In Your World.

False Hopes When Implementing Scrum

Do. The. Work.

I wrote about that concept in an earlier article called, “Lipstick On A Pig.”

Oh… And take a look at two posts with additional context and what YOU can do from my friend / colleague / mentor Scott Ambler. Read my thoughts on his articles here: “The Agile Community Shat The Bed” and “How Agilists Can Move Forward After Shatting The Bed”.

What Is “Agile Snake Oil” In Scrum?

If you are not familiar with the term, think back to that “Wizard of Oz” movie. Remember that character?

Or.

Think about any infomercial or offer you’ve seen where you think, “Wait. This does not even feel possible.”

Many false claims.

What do these claims sound / look like for people interested in Implementing Scrum (or any other “agile” technique really)?

• [false claim] This is easy. Get your certification and your road to riches overnight is guaranteed!
• [false claim] You’ll get a six figure job tomorrow with this certification (any certification) and NO experience.
• [false claim] But wait, “there’s more!”
• [false claim] Scrum (or SAFe or any other “Agile” technique) will solve all the problems in your organization.
• [false claim] The Scrum Guide is a prescriptive process and if you follow it exactly everything will work fine (even if you just take some of the stuff and apply it with your team and in your organization).

… and there are countless other false claims preying on your hopes and dreams.

Is Scrum or Agile Snake Oil?

If you buy into any of the false claims written above, watch out.

Here are a couple of examples for you to consider:

• If you are interested in “transitioning” from your current career (one example: teachers) where you might be in a toxic environment feeling little respect and being underpaid and overworked… getting a 2 day certification is NOT a guarantee of landing a six figure job the next day.
• If you are interested in Implementing Scrum on your team, with little support from your boss / their boss / the organization… this will probably not “stick” and fix all your problems the next day (that may actually get you kicked out of the organization without their support — read more about my available services here).

Get the picture?

Don’t follow the snake oil sales people with false promises who might prey on your hopes and dreams.

Quick backstory

The Agile Industrial Machine (or Agile Industrial Complex) kicked off in 2001 with the publication of the “Manifesto For Agile Software Development” when 17 people got together in Snowbird, Utah, to discuss patterns they were seeing when developing software. Geeks. Who decided to head to Utah mainly because Alistair Cockburn said, “Let’s meet here instead of Chicago in the middle of winter.”

The Agile Industrial Machine / Agile Industrial Complex was an unintended consequence of 17 geeks (remember — said with love and empathy and no disrespect for this group of people) meeting in a conference room to geek out together to co-create and align on four values near the Valentines Day holiday. The 12 Principles of Agile Software evolved after that meeting as each of them settled in to what they co-created in Snowbird together.

Full disclosure: I “hopped on” as a very early adopter of this Agile Industrial Machine / Agile Industrial Complex in January, 2004, by becoming a Certified Scrum Master with Ken Schwaber in San Diego. You can read more about my journey in the “Experience” section of my LinkedIn profile (linkedin.mvizdos.com).

What Next?

Go back to my main thought of this article as a reminder…

Do. The. Work.

There is no “Easy Button” and watch out for the Agile Snake Oil sales people.

The grass is not always greener on the “other side.”

Are you interested in Scrum Training (which yes, I offer and have delivered in this Agile Industrial Machine or Agile Industrial Complex for many many years)?

Check out www.iWantScrumTraining.com and get some tips to prepare for any legitimate Scrum Training (even if you don’t take your Scrum Training with me — but watch out for those false claims please!).

Are you interested in bringing in an “outsider” to help with Implementing Scrum on your team or within your organization?

Check out consulting.mvizdos.com for some ways we might be able to work together.

Need some help processing some of the ideas in this article?

Contact me or connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss this more together.