Go with the Flow: Accelerated digital design in the age of Post-agility

Abstract

This paper describes a progressive shift in agile. This change is characterised by greater team autonomy, hybridised practices and strong orientation to design thinking (Cross, 1982) and flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997). This conclusion is substantiated through research, a comprehensive literature review and theory building (Knight, 2013). The supporting data, elicited from a representative cohort (n=308) helps develop a theoretical model of agile. The model frames the shift in practice as an evolution toward ‘post-agility’ (Baskerville, et al 2011). In this future state, agile orthodoxy has been replaced by ‘co-design thinking’ through a new integrated ‘flow methodology’. There are many implications for the next phase of design. Firstly, agility must be core curricula in design education. Secondly, design methods that can work with a broader set of data to support autonomous teams are needed. Lastly, the speed of change necessitates stronger connections between practice, theory and the broader context of design knowledge.