Make It Visible

make it visibleOne of a core set of agile thinking patterns is Make it Visible. 70% of the processing power between our ears handles and deals with processing of visual information. For people generally, we will know where to apply energy to something when there is sufficient visibility on a task or work item. Self organization can occur when the work has enough visibility so that we know what to do without being told. So when you do not see someone moving or taking action it is usually because there is lack of visibility and my first assumption is that the person is simple confused on how to engage. Look to make things visible to the person rather than telling them what to do. Assume they want to help but, simply do not know where to apply energy. Make it Visible applies as a pattern to setting up and sustaining well formed agile team.