The Conference of the Birds: The Seven Valleys of Agile Transformation

Agile methodologies are a set of principles and practices that aim to deliver software products and services in an iterative, incremental, and adaptive way. Agile teams work in short cycles called sprints, where they plan, design, develop, test, and deliver a potentially shippable product increment. Agile teams also embrace change, feedback, collaboration, and continuous improvement, as they strive to deliver value to their customers and stakeholders.

But how can Agile teams learn from a 12th-century epic poem? The Conference of the Birds, written by the Persian poet Attar of Nishapur, is a story that can offer valuable insights and lessons for Agile teams. The story tells the journey of thousands of birds who seek to find their true king, the Simorgh, a mythical bird of great wisdom and power. Along the way, the birds face many challenges and transformations, which reflect the stages of Agile development. The story also highlights the themes of leadership, teamwork, and self-discovery, which are essential for Agile teams to succeed and thrive.

The Journey of the Birds

The story begins with the hoopoe, a wise and experienced bird, who tells the other birds that they have no king and that they should seek the Simorgh, who lives in a distant land. The hoopoe acts as a guide and a coach for the other birds, who represent different types of personalities and characteristics. The hoopoe tells them that the journey to the Simorgh is long and perilous, and that they have to cross seven valleys, each representing a different state of mind or being. These are:

1. The Valley of the Quest, where the birds have to renounce their worldly attachments and desires, and seek the truth.
2. The Valley of Love, where the birds have to overcome their fears and doubts, and embrace the passion and devotion for the Simorgh.
3. The Valley of Knowledge, where the birds have to acquire wisdom and understanding, and avoid ignorance and arrogance.
4. The Valley of Detachment, where the birds have to detach themselves from their own selves and identities, and become humble and selfless.
5. The Valley of Unity, where the birds have to transcend the duality and diversity of the world, and realize the oneness and harmony of all things.
6. The Valley of Wonderment, where the birds have to marvel at the beauty and mystery of the creation, and acknowledge the limits of their knowledge and perception.
7. The Valley of Poverty and Annihilation, where the birds have to annihilate their own existence and ego, and become nothing but the Simorgh.

The journey of the birds is not easy, and many of them give up or perish along the way. Only thirty birds manage to reach the end of the journey, where they encounter a great surprise: the Simorgh is not a separate entity, but a reflection of themselves. The word Simorgh in Persian means “thirty birds”, and the poem implies that the birds have become the Simorgh by completing the journey. The Simorgh tells them that they have always been the king, and that they have found the source of happiness and success within themselves.

The Lessons for Agile Teams

The story of the Conference of the Birds can inspire Agile teams in many ways. Here are some of the lessons that can be derived from the story:

• Agile teams need a clear vision and a common goal, which can motivate them and guide them throughout the project. The vision of the Simorgh is what drives the birds to embark on the journey, and what keeps them going despite the difficulties and obstacles. Agile teams should also have a shared vision of the value they want to deliver to their customers and stakeholders, and align their actions and decisions with that vision.
• Agile teams need a leader and a coach, who can facilitate and support them in their journey. The leader and the coach do not have to be the same person, but they should have the qualities of the hoopoe: wisdom, experience, honesty, courage, and compassion. The leader and the coach should help the team to plan, execute, and review their sprints, and to overcome the challenges and issues that may arise. They should also encourage the team to learn, grow, and improve, and to celebrate their achievements and successes.
• Agile teams need to embrace change, feedback, and learning, as they progress through the stages of Agile development. The birds have to adapt to the different conditions and requirements of each valley, and to learn from their experiences and mistakes. They also have to listen to the feedback and guidance of the hoopoe, and to the signs and symbols that they encounter along the way. Agile teams should also welcome change, feedback, and learning, as they deliver incremental and iterative product increments, and as they inspect and adapt their processes and practices.
• Agile teams need to collaborate and cooperate, as they work as a self-organizing and cross-functional unit. The birds have to work together and help each other, as they face the dangers and difficulties of the journey. They also have to respect and appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of each bird, and to leverage their strengths and skills. Agile teams should also collaborate and cooperate, as they deliver value to their customers and stakeholders. They should also respect and appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of each team member, and to leverage their strengths and skills.
• Agile teams need to discover and unleash their potential, as they deliver value and achieve their goals. The birds have to discover and unleash their potential, as they transform themselves and become the Simorgh. They also have to realize that the source of happiness and success is within themselves, and that they have always been the king. Agile teams should also discover and unleash their potential, as they deliver value and achieve their goals. They should also realize that the source of happiness and success is within themselves, and that they have the power and the responsibility to make a difference.

The Conference of the Birds is a story that can inspire Agile teams to embark on a journey of transformation and excellence. The story can help Agile teams to understand and apply the principles and practices of Agile methodologies, and to embrace the themes of leadership, teamwork, and self-discovery. The story can also help Agile teams to realize that they are the Simorgh, and that they have the potential and the capability to deliver value and achieve their goals.