Chris Stone’s -- “Value Story” Canvas
I saw a post from Chris Stone on LinkedIn entitled—The biggest failing of the agile community?
A lack of focus on articulating value
After less than a day of posting, it had 146 reactions, 27 comments, and 15 reposts.
First, I love the canvas. While I want to recommend additional ideas to weave into it, I applaud Chris for creating it. And I agree 110% with him that it is the biggest failing of the agile community.
It’s not just about having a story to tell about value—it's about laser-focusing on value while creating a discernible business impact.
I don't understand how we could have gotten so off track that we lost our focus. But I would argue that it’s not too late to learn, adjust, and deliver.
Additional thoughts to weave into your Value Story Canvas
Here are some additions or extensions to the canvas that it inspired for me…
(Problem & Purpose)
Move your thinking from my problem/purpose to our problem/purpose as you find business value partners with whom you can work together to deliver value.
Point being—don’t go it alone!
https://bobgalen.substack.com/p/never-coach-alone
Two distinct messages
I think there needs to be two stories associated with your value—
1. Quantitative Value – Data Story
2. Qualitative Value – Perception, Impact, Gut-feel Story
And, I might argue, to lean more heavily into the qualitative side of the equation as I amplify in this post—
https://rgalen.com/agile-training-news/2023/11/13/our-value-isnt-arithmetical
Story lifecycle
What is the lifecycle to strive for?
Find a story, tell a story, retell the story. When are you done with that story?
What others begin to share/tell your story. Then move on to your next Value Story.
(Audience) – Find allies to tell your story
You can’t be the only one telling your story. That will eventually fail. It would be best if you built a coalition of—
Partners
Allies
Colleagues
Stakeholders
Advocates
Who share your stories, thus increasing the breadth of awareness for your value.
(Medium)
My only addition here is to lean into face-to-face (in-person or virtual). Data, email, and presentations are OK, but one-on-one story-telling trumps everything!
(Outcomes)
Your outcomes need to connect to what your stakeholders and leaders hold valuable. They’re not your outcomes or Agile outcomes. Instead, they need to be shared business and customer outcomes.
(Now What? Ideas & Next)
I’m going to disagree with making this part of the canvas. Why, might you ask?
It’s not because they are bad ideas. They’re not.
It’s just that I don’t think these should be part of your storytelling. Instead, I think they should emerge from your storytelling.
And they should emerge from your audience’s excitement about your Value Stories. They should want more of you and them. These are emergent AND a measure of the quality of your stories. If nothing emerges, then you need to work on your Value Stories.
Wrapping Up
Chris Stone has emerged as a rock star contributor within our agile community, and I appreciate his courage in challenging our thinking. Thank you, Chris, for being you!
Stay agile and valuable, my friends,
Bob.
Here are four related posts that you might find interesting and helpful in your Value Stories—
1. https://rgalen.com/agile-training-news/2021/10/9/differences-in-internal-vs-external-agile-coaching
2. https://www.agile-moose.com/blog/2021/10/29/becoming-less-humble
3. https://www.agile-moose.com/blog/2023/4/3/putting-me-back-in-agile-coaching
4. https://rgalen.com/agile-training-news/2023/2/5/value-retention-equivalency-under-pressure