Agile Science#1 – the search begins
What is Agile Science? I still don’t know, but as a former molecular biologist who is writing about Agile issues for organisations like Softhouse and Scania, I certainly like the sound of the expression. Feel free to join me on my exploration!
In 1921, the Italian Nobel Prize winner Luigi Pirandello published his play Sei personaggi in cerca d’autore, Six Characters in Search of an Author. This title comes to mind when i start this exploration of the concept ”Agile Science”. It is namely a concept in search of three things:
- A definition.
- A model.
- A use.
So, in true Agile spirit, I hereby present the first iteration.
Definition, v. 0.9
Agile Science is the use of Agile principles, as described by the Agile Manifesto, to make faster scientific progress, increase the quality of scientific documentation and communication and improve the psychosocial environment in research labs and academic departments.
Model, v. 0.9
The initial model I propose is this:
- Scientific output is the product of a tight team, rather than a loose cluster of individuals.
- Scientific work is divided into three phases: (1) hypothesis creation, (2) data production and (3) data analysis.
- For phase (2), the following ways-of-working can be used to give a better throughput, improve cooperation and decrease stress: an iterative approach, Kanban and a modified version of Scrum.
Use, v. 0.9
I suggest that Agile Science is initially used to produce large amounts of data during repetitive runs of well-established methods.
I don’t know what this is yet, but it is my prototype and it is cool!
- Claire Price of Crastina receives outreach award from Royal Society of Biology - October 25, 2020
- Agile Science student project at Brussels Engineering School ECAM: “We can’t wait to try it again!” - August 28, 2020
- Create an infographic in the Lifeology SciArt Infographic Challenge - June 16, 2020
- Adam Ruben – The scientist that teaches undergraduate students comedy - March 27, 2020
- Sam Gregson, Bad Boy of Science: “Comedy helps to bridge the gap” - March 10, 2020
- The Coolest Science Merchandise of 2019 - December 16, 2019
- Science Media Centre (UK) offers guide on dealing with online harassment in academia - November 26, 2019
- Agile project management taught to students and researchers at Karolinska Institutet - September 20, 2019
- Stefan Jansson: Improve your credibility! (Crastina Column, September 2019) - September 6, 2019
- The People’s Poet: Silke Kramprich, tech communicator - August 31, 2019
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