Where’s the Magic?

Recently I was coaching at a large R&D facility where they are experimenting with Agile.  After listening intently to an introductory discussion about the Scrum process, a senior manager asked, “This is all very interesting, but where’s the magic?” The question set me back for a moment.  Hadn’t we just talked about how Scrum is not a silver bullet?...  that Scrum doesn’t actually solve your problems, but rather exposes them?  ... that the hard work of Scrum isn’t the process; it’s figuring out what to do about all the impediments Scrum surfaces?

While I was pondering his question, one of his team members replied, “The magic, sir, is in us.”