Using Fiction to Inspire Agility in Information Technology and Manufacturing: A Look at The Phoenix Project and The Goal

Moving from a non-agile environment to an agile environment can be difficult. This is true both in hard manufacturing and in Information Technology. This paper looks at the history of a number of IT agile methodologies emphasizing that the methodologies originated in manufacturing and subsequently migrated to IT. The company under research undertook a number of interventions to encourage a more agile environment within its IT department. These interventions included training, short videos via email, long videos over lunch and coffee breaks, discussion groups, attending conferences, etc. This paper looks at the use of fictional novels in disseminating information and encouraging more agility within the organisation. The books were a starting point for open discussion amongst the members of the IT department about the use of agile methodologies. The conclusion of this paper is that this technique can be used in both IT departments and in hard manufacturing.