On the Road to University

Today I’m traveling to university, and my mind is still processing yesterday’s deep dive into Scrum methodology. The complexity of all those documents initially overwhelmed me, but one key insight has crystallized: fail fast, fail early.

The Power of Early Failure

The core principle resonates deeply - when we make mistakes early in the process, we can fix them in 10 minutes rather than discovering fundamental flaws after months of work. I’ve heard countless stories of projects failing late because they didn’t meet requirements or satisfy stakeholders. All that work becomes invalid.

This shifted my entire perspective. Before, I was obsessed with efficiency and speed - like only caring about how fast I could run without considering if I was heading in the right direction.

Documents as Navigation

All those tedious Scrum documents suddenly make sense now. They’re like stopping frequently to check the map while running. Yes, it slows you down momentarily, but it ensures you’re heading toward the right destination. The constant checking and validation prevents you from sprinting full speed in the wrong direction.

Personal Learning Connection

This connects powerfully to my high school experience. Back then, I focused solely on learning fast without questioning why I was learning or whether the knowledge was actually useful. Scrum’s philosophy taught me to constantly evaluate: Why am I learning this? Does this align with my personal targets? Is this knowledge actually valuable?

Leading with Agile Principles

Now I have a chance to implement these ideas. As both Scrum Master and team leader in my small team, I can apply these principles practically. The most fascinating insight is that most projects don’t even know what they want - requirements are constantly changing.

This is where Scrum truly shines. It’s not just about checking targets; it’s about dynamically adapting. Like running in the rain where you have to stop and check where the finish line has moved to now.

Marathon Mindset

We’re running a marathon, not a sprint. In our dynamic world with constantly emerging technologies and new ideas, we must stay flexible and open-minded. Always try new things. Always be ready to pivot.

The finish line keeps moving, but that’s not a bug - it’s a feature. It keeps us adaptive, keeps us learning, keeps us growing.

Key Takeaways

• Fail fast principle: Better to discover problems in 10 minutes than 10 months
• Direction over speed: Efficiency without purpose is pointless
• Documentation as navigation: Those tedious documents serve a crucial purpose
• Dynamic adaptation: Requirements will change - embrace it
• Marathon mindset: Sustainable, flexible progress over short-term sprints
• Question everything: Why am I doing this? Is it valuable?

Today’s travel gives me time to reflect on how I’ll implement these insights both in my team leadership role and personal learning journey.