Proactive Learning Cycles are fundamental for effective development.
Traditional development occurs through reactive learning cycles in which development teams react to issues discovered through the course of evaluating design iterations. Proactive learning cycles are the repetitive application of the scientific method (e.g., Plan-Do-Check-Act) to a specific cadence in harmony with the overall portfolio development flow. Proactive learning cycles focus on learning before making decisions. Substantial integration of knowledge is required when many different contributors are engaged in finding solutions to complex problems. The use of synchronized, proactive learning cycles is fundamental for teams to continuously create and share knowledge that solve relevant problems and keep product development moving forward converging on optimal solutions.
Unlike traditional methods of project planning through methods such as Gantt charts (which are generally not synchronized and obsolete the moment they are written), synchronized proactive learning cycles intrinsically drive product development progress, allowing those closest to the real work to dynamically adjust to the needs of the development organization within the framework of pull events and learning cycles. These methods ensure the most optimal solution in the shortest amount of time while building knowledge for future endeavors.
