Motivated Individuals - An Agile Principle

The fifth principle of the Agile Manifesto is a big one.  It starts with the idea of motivated individuals and progresses to getting the job done.  This statement could be a solid foundation for a management approach and is at the heart of many such strategies.  An introduction like that should have you ready to see where the discussion goes.

Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.

Motivated In Part

A motivated team is useful.  However, motivated individuals are essential for success in any project.  They are the lifeblood of the motivated group.  This recommendation may seem to be common sense.  We all know that leaders and cheerleaders are part of a successful team.  Thus, we recognize a need for direction as well as ways to build or improve morale.

Attention To Details

In my opinion, motivation and attention to detail go hand-in-hand.  For example. one will skip over the details if they are not motivated to get the job done correctly.  Lack of motivation leads to choosing shortcuts and glossing over the details.  We can see this at any point in the SDLC process.

It results in missed or incomplete requirements, fragile implementation, or minimal test coverage.  A motivated individual will want the best and follow up on the details at these steps.  These team members are the ones that track down items that would otherwise "fall through the cracks."  Likewise, they push us to complete that problematic "final twenty percent" of a project.

A Needed Environment

We have mentioned tools and toolsets many times in our focus on becoming a better developer.  This focus applies to nearly every position, role, and career.  The whole purpose of tools is to make us more productive.  It results from reducing the challenges involved in completing a task.  A comfortable work environment provides many benefits to the worker.  These positives amount to greater productivity, higher morale, and improved longevity.  Happy and healthy employees are productive.  Thus, a pleasant environment is an essential first step towards success.

The Twelve Principles and Overall Manifesto