I’ve always liked the Keep It Simple, Silly (KISS) principle. When building systems, simplicity is powerful. Less code usually means fewer bugs, fewer edge cases, and less technical debt. I enjoy the same simplicity in Aesop's Fables. These short stories convey timeless lessons without needing hundreds of pages. In that spirit, I’ve written a few modern fables that illustrate Agile ideas such as incremental delivery, retrospectives, scope control, and continuous improvement.
The Hare, the Tortoise, and the Agile Coach
After losing a famous race, the Hare hires an Agile coach and learns the power of incremental goals.
The Hare Runs a Retrospective
The Hare learns that improvement does not come from speed alone, but from pausing to reflect and learn after every race.
The Fox Introduces Scope Creep
The Fox suggests adding more and more features to the race, until the team learns the importance of finishing what they started.
The Owl Explains Technical Debt
When the race course becomes cluttered with old flags and broken paths, the wise Owl explains why cleaning up old work matters.
The Hare, the Tortoise, and the Weight of the PMO
The fastest teams move best when speed and governance travel together.
The Hare, the Tortoise, and the Audit
The best teams reach the finish not by avoiding oversight, but by making progress visible.
The Hare, the Tortoise, and the Elephant
Great oversight guides the race. But when leaders step onto the track, the runners cannot run.
