Friday, June 8, 2012

The "Pigs" and "Chickens" fable

I think anyone who is anyone who has heard of Agile and Scrum have heard of the Pigs and Chickens story and how it describes those who are committed to the delivery of the project, "Pigs", and those who are just involved, "Chickens." If not click on the image and learn more about it.

Implementing Scrum - Pigs and Chickens

However I was just recently re-reading "Death March" by Edward Yourdon (1st Edition) and I came across this response to the parable, in the context of commitment whilst on a death march.
“I’m not sure you will find any old pigs in development perhaps more chickens. I think that kind of commitment continues until (inevitably?) you get into the first death march project – then there is a rude awakening. Either the pig realises what’s happening, this is the slaughterhouse! RUN!! Or the pig is making bacon…” - Paul Mason (Death March).
I just found it quite amusing and thought I should share...