About Me / Contact Me

My name is David Updike and I have been a certified ScrumMaster since 2006. I came to Agile from technical side having been a developer for many years. During my stint as a Java Developer I discovered the Unified Process and then Agile. I embraced Agile as a better way to run computer software projects and develop computer software code than the traditional methods I had used for years. Since I made the transition from developer to ScrumMaster and Agile Coach I have advised, coached, mentored and trained individuals, teams and companies making the transition to Agile development.

Agile IS moving more and more into the mainstream of software development, however, to many legacy IT folks Agile is seen as EASY. Agile definitly isn't EASY. The Agile "receipe" isn't a simple one. Actually, Agile requires MORE discipline and MORE thought than traditional development/project management methodologies/frameworks.

Many companies are looking to try on "Agile". I appauld them. However too often I hear stories of companies creating a project around what they think Agile is (or worse yet what they are told Agile is in a five minute conversation) with zero guidance from someone who is proficient and experienced with Agile. The outcome is more often than not a chaotic mishmash of processes and practices taken out of their traditional methodology and the insertion of a few not well known Agile practices and with no one involved who truly understands the nature of the newer methodology/framework. Then when the project craters it's claimed that Agile doesn't work. This makes no sense. We need to provide education materials in the form of blogs, case studies, training courses, web articles, magazines, etc. so that people can truly understand what Agile is (and isn't) and so we can increase project success ratios and make our customers deliriously happy.

This website is one of my contributions toward that goal. Another way I can help is by helping companies, teams and individuals understand what Agile is and help guide projects and products to success with deliriously happy customers. You may or may not use me but, especially as you start out, I highly recommend you use someone who has "been there, done that" in the Agile world to help guide your way as you begin your Agile Journey.

Use this and other sites to become Agile Savvy.

You can contact me at dave@agilesavvy.com.

Thanks for taking the time to read these and any other text from me. I would be happy to receive any comments that you may have.