As I hastily pack for a family reunion celebrating my twin boys' fourth birthday, I can't help but draw parallels between my chaotic preparation and a Product Backlog. One of the aspects of my neurodivergence is that I have problems with executive function. This is the ability to take a big task and break it down into smaller tasks. I sometimes think I was drawn to Scrum because it provides a process to follow that compensates for my weirdness.
My preparation list mirrors a Product Backlog, a list of tasks and items clamouring for attention. Some items I want to get done or make sure are packed; others come from my partner or my children. Everyone is making demands upon the finite resource that is the time I have to get everything ready before we need to leave. Sound familiar? It's the epitome of chaos and potential, all rolled into one.
Amidst the frenzy, one guiding light keeps shining: the power of the wish list. The idea is simple yet transformative. Listing out everything that needs to be done, ordering them, and tackling the most valuable items first. This echoes the very essence of Scrum - prioritisation and delivery of value.
Creating lists has been game-changing in my life, long before I was a mother or an agile coach. No longer do I try to rely on my deficient working memory. I can see all the things that need to be done laid out in front of me and then do the ones that intersect between what’s most valuable to me and my family and what my brain will let me do in the moment.
Let me share how this works:
Clear Prioritisation: Much like prioritising Product Backlog Items, listing tasks helps identify what's truly important. It helps prevent chaos by reducing the amount of impulses that I follow and ensures that the most crucial tasks are addressed as early as possible. Just like Developers don’t have to create a Sprint Backlog from the top items, I don’t have to do things in the order I’ve set myself. I do what makes sense in the moment, not what was planned earlier with an older understanding.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Just as Scrum encourages adaptability, a wish list allows flexibility. Last-minute changes? No problem. You can re-order on the fly and focus on what matters most in the moment.
Incremental Progress: Checking items off the list gives a sense of accomplishment, much like completing sprint goals. It keeps the momentum going, making overwhelming tasks manageable. Most of the impulsivity in ADHD comes from a lack of dopamine. One of the ways to manage this is to give feedback and reward in the moment. By doing so, the person gets a reward and is more able to continue with the next task. This is why eating the frog is terrible advice for anyone with a dopamine deficiency; instead, start with small tasks that build up the dopamine levels until there’s enough floating around to tackle a big thing requiring some delayed gratification.
Empowering Decision-Making: With a clear list, decision-making becomes more manageable. It's akin to a well-refined backlog aiding in Sprint Planning. Creating a Sprint Backlog requires all the Developers to agree to a plan; choosing the next item I will tackle requires my neurochemistry (and all the voices they produce) to fall into line. Having that list at least allows me to induce a shared understanding amongst the voices of the choices they have, rather than having a free-for-all of whatever shiny item catches my eye.
So, as I rush to ensure I haven't forgotten the birthday cake or the favourite toys, I'm reminded of the power of the wish list. Let's encourage our teams to create their wish lists, order tasks sensibly, and focus on delivering the most value, just as I'm focusing on making this birthday celebration memorable for my little ones.
Remember, it's not about eliminating chaos entirely but rather orchestrating it to achieve the best outcomes. Here's to embracing the chaos and turning it into brilliance!