Organizational Pattern: Producers In The Middle
February 26th, 2010
(From Organizational Patterns of Agile Software Development )
In a project, not all roles hear everything. But much of the information communicated has important implications for the product.
Within any software project, there are many activities, roles, and individuals competing for attention. Of course, there are the developers. But project managers have a need to be at the center of everything. They need to have their finger on the pulse of the project; to know everything that is going on. That’s their job. In a similar manner, perhaps to a lesser degree, other roles also need to be involved in the project.
But all roles are not equal. Certain roles (developer and a few others) contribute directly to the product; they create it. Most other roles contribute indirectly to the product; they (should) exist only to help the producers do their job. The producer roles need information in order to do their job.
Therefore,
The producer role(s) must be at the center or very near the center of the hive of communication. Make sure the producers are party to all, or nearly all communication about the project.
