Can we build in increments ?

After his plan's dismal execution, Mr X set about thinking. He kicked himself for not paying attention to the detailing of the design drawings ... he could have done a better job, he thought.

He told his problem and his team's failed endeavor, to a fellow head carpenter Mr. Y who was doing very good for himself, selling a lot of furniture in the market.

Mr Y empathised with X and then told him the secret.

Every morning he and his team stand in a circle and look at what they did the previous day, what they are going to do today and if there is anything that may hamper them today. This quick catchup for 5-10 mins every morning allows Mr Y to focus on any issues or concerns highlighted by any of his team members.

Every time a team member has fixed up legs to the seat of the chair or to the table-top, Mr Y takes a spirit-level and the plumb-line to test the straightness from every angle.

When they complete any chair or table, Mr Y sits on the chairs or presses the table down and makes sure the units are sturdy.

All this means that barring any minor polishing and painting the product is almost ready to go the market. That is why he and his teams are so successful at producing and selling a lot of furniture day in and day out.

If at all he finds anything amiss in any of those inspections, his team member takes the increment back, to work out the flaws, and when satisfied, brings the piece back for Mr Y's inspection.

It seemed common sense and for once Mr X thought it was so simple methodology and why did it not occur to him? Any how that is what Mr X promised to try, and a few weeks later he and his team became really good at producing chairs and tables oe after the other. He also became famous as the master craftsman.

The above is an example of an Agile approach of incremental build, inspect and integrate into final product.

We shall go into more details in the next few articles.