What more can LEGO Teach Agile Methods

Abstract

Agile methods are considered relatively new and areas of development for them are emerging. In this study, we discuss how Agile methods can be improved with LEGO, which is a relatively more established and proven field used by a larger number of profiles of users. For this, we analyzed "A Lego Brickumentary"documentary for a thematic analysis resulting in 83 Level-1 distinct codes that were summarized under 39 categories (Level-2). In the final, these categories were grouped into 3 main-categories (Level-3); creativity, system thinking, and customer orientation. From the results, we realized a harmony of people and system thinking to create customer value, empowered by creativity, open development platforms, community development, diversity, idea development processes, and many more. When viewed chronologically, based on the results, Agile will likely face a dilemma like in the LEGO history that will determine its fate; imposing a centralized thinking or embracing endless possibilities of practices by users. Among these two, this study proposes to pave the way for a better understanding of democratized agility with more comprehensive perspectives of diverse and empowered people using their creativity. © 2024 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.