Flow Engineering with Steve Pereira & Andrew Davis
Jun 3, 2024
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Steve Pereira and Andrew Davis discuss their book 'Flow Engineering' covering the origin story, cybernetics for effective action, the five maps, value, clarity, flow, principles of visual management, and the importance of embracing discomfort for continuous improvement.
Flow engineering emphasizes value, clarity, and flow in software delivery processes.
The book 'Flow Engineering' stems from shared interests in value stream mapping and digital organizational improvement.
Visual management aids in simplifying complex concepts and streamlining continuous improvement efforts in software delivery.
Deep dives
Flow Engineering Principles Explained by Authors
The authors, Andrew Davis and Steve Pereira, discuss their book "Flow Engineering" and its core principles centered around three words: Value, Clarity, and Flow. Flow engineering is introduced as a set of practices rooted in cybernetics and the Toyota production system, emphasizing lightweight and iterative methods to enhance value, clarity, and flow in software delivery processes.
Collaborative Book Writing Journey of Andrew and Steve
The collaborative journey of Andrew and Steve in writing the book is detailed, highlighting their diverse professional backgrounds and the bond formed during the collaboration process. The book stemmed from their shared interest in value stream mapping and digital organizational improvement, leading to extensive virtual whiteboarding sessions that shaped the comprehensive and iterative content of the book.
Visual Management and Simplifying Complexity in Flow Engineering
The podcast delves into the role of visual management in simplifying complex concepts, particularly in value stream mapping. The discussion emphasizes the significance of visualizing workflows and making invisible complexities visible, aiding in collaborative problem-solving and streamlining continuous improvement efforts for individuals and organizations.
Cybernetics and Pursuit of Effective Action in Flow Engineering
The conversation navigates into the concept of cybernetics and its application in flow engineering, focusing on the pursuit of effective action through clear targets and iterative processes. Cybernetics serves as a foundational framework for understanding and enhancing decision-making, leveraging control theory principles to set feedback mechanisms that drive continuous improvement in socio-technical systems.
Embracing Continuous Improvement and Trajectories in Workflows
The concluding segment underscores the essence of continuous improvement in the pursuit of perfection, reframing it as an ongoing journey towards betterment and trajectories rather than a static ideal. The discussion advocates for embracing discomfort in learning spaces, visualizing workflows, and fostering collective patience to build transparent feedback loops and drive positive organizational change.
Adam welcomes Steve Pereira and Andrew Davis to discuss their new book, Flow Engineering. They discuss the book's origin story and the use of cybernetics to drive effective action.