5 things Eames taught me about agile project delivery

by The Change Compass | Agile, Change approach, Change Initiatives, Designing change

Ray and Charles Eames, legendary mid-century designers, developed creative processes remarkably aligned with modern agile methodologies. Their approach emphasised iteration, resource respect, and systems thinking, offering valuable lessons for today’s project teams facing complex delivery challenges.

This guide explores five key Eames principles and their direct application to agile project delivery. Change practitioners and project leaders gain practical insights to enhance iteration, stakeholder engagement, and systemic success.

What Agile Principles Did Eames Champion?

The Eames duo’s design philosophy prefigured agile concepts by decades. Their methods focused on practical experimentation, collective wisdom, and holistic systems. These are core tenets of contemporary agile delivery.

These principles translate directly to project environments, improving outcomes across technology rollouts, process changes, and organisational transformations.

1. Not Reinventing the Wheel: Leverage Collective Experience

Eames avoided starting from scratch, instead building on proven materials and techniques. Agile teams benefit similarly by tapping organisational knowledge rather than isolated innovation.

Practical Applications in Agile Delivery

Previous rollout lessons: Review past implementations of similar products or services to anticipate adoption challenges and success factors.
Stakeholder group insights: Consult colleagues experienced with specific audience dynamics and communication preferences.
Solution design patterns: Adapt approaches proven effective in prior technical or process solutions.
Timeline strategies: Apply scheduling techniques refined through previous deadline pressures.
Learning intervention successes: Reuse effective training content, delivery methods, and evaluation frameworks.

This principle prevents redundant effort while accelerating delivery through proven foundations.

2. Continuous Testing and Learning: Iterative Refinement

The Eames process featured constant prototyping and feedback, mirroring agile’s iterative cycles. Every team member, not just designers, contributes to this learning loop.

Change Management Testing Examples

Message validation: A/B test communications with target audiences to measure resonance and engagement.
Learning content trials: Pilot training modules with sample groups, gathering feedback on structure, clarity, and delivery medium.
Impact assessment accuracy: Validate change impact analysis directly with end users rather than proxies alone.

Digital tools enable scalable testing, ensuring solutions evolve toward optimal fit-for-purpose outcomes.

3. Respecting the Materials at Hand: Understand Your Resources

Eames emphasised the importance of recognising the capabilities and limitations of available resources. In agile project delivery, this means deeply understanding people, systems, processes, and stakeholder capacities.

Applying Resource Respect in Agile Projects

Assess team skills and system maturity before designing interventions.
Adapt project plans based on stakeholder readiness and local constraints.
Support change leads in gauging the ability levels of different groups to absorb new processes.
Tailor communication and training to maximise relevance and effectiveness given resource realities.

This approach builds realistic, sustainable change strategies aligned with organisational strengths and challenges.

Eames agile change management design thinking process

4. Generating New Perspectives and Ideas Through Play and Fun

The Eames valued play as a creative catalyst, fostering new ideas and fresh perspectives. Agile teams benefit from incorporating elements of play, fun, and experimentation into their work.

Practical Ways to Embed Play in Agile Delivery

Run hackathons or innovation sprints encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.
Design team-building activities that mix fun with purposeful reflection on project goals.
Use gamification techniques to increase engagement in learning and adoption tasks.
Foster a psychologically safe environment where experimentation and mistakes are accepted as learning opportunities.

Play enhances creativity, collaboration, and morale, supporting higher-quality outcomes.

5. Eventually Everything Connects: Embrace Systems Thinking

The Eames stressed seeing the broader picture and understanding how various elements interlink to form a larger system. This mindset is vital in agile delivery, where dependencies and impacts extend beyond single teams or projects.

Systems Thinking in Agile Projects

Map connections among processes, systems, communications, training, and branding to ensure cohesive delivery.
Identify how multiple change initiatives intersect and impact shared stakeholders or resources.
Help stakeholders understand how different initiatives support broader organisational strategies.
Use system maps and visualisations to support planning, risk assessment, and communication.

This holistic awareness prevents siloed work and promotes integrated, effective change.

Implementation Roadmap for Eames-Inspired Agile Delivery

Applying These Principles in Modern Projects

Quick-Start Actions for Teams

Conduct knowledge audits to capture previous rollout experiences across the organisation.
Schedule regular testing cycles for communications, training, and impact assessments.
Map resource capabilities and limitations during project kickoff planning.
Plan quarterly innovation sessions incorporating play and experimentation elements.
Create visual system maps showing project interconnections and dependencies.

Building Organisational Support

Train change leads in resource assessment and systems thinking techniques.
Establish cross-project knowledge sharing forums.
Integrate Eames principles into agile training and certification programs.
Use success stories to demonstrate ROI from iterative testing and collective learning.

These steps embed timeless design wisdom into contemporary delivery practices.

Cultural Considerations for Success

Overcoming Common Barriers

Success requires psychological safety for experimentation and leadership support for non-traditional approaches. Traditional organisations may resist play-based innovation, requiring champions to demonstrate tangible benefits first.

Scaling Across Teams

Start with pilot projects showcasing measurable improvements in delivery speed, stakeholder satisfaction, and adoption rates. Use these case studies to expand practice organisation-wide.

Measuring Impact

Track metrics like iteration cycle time reduction, stakeholder engagement scores, knowledge reuse rates, and cross-project collaboration frequency to validate principle effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What makes Eames principles relevant to modern agile delivery?
Their focus on iteration, collective wisdom, resource respect, creativity through play, and systems thinking directly addresses contemporary project complexity and delivery challenges.

How do you implement continuous testing in change management?
Use A/B testing for messages, pilot training modules with user groups, and validate impact assessments directly with end users to refine approaches iteratively.

Why is systems thinking essential in agile projects?
Modern initiatives rarely operate in isolation. Understanding interconnections prevents siloed work and ensures cohesive delivery across multiple changes.

How can teams incorporate play into serious projects?
Run hackathons, gamify learning tasks, and design team activities blending fun with purposeful project reflection to boost creativity and morale.

What is the first step in applying ‘not reinventing the wheel’?
Conduct knowledge audits capturing previous rollout lessons, stakeholder insights, and proven solution patterns across the organisation.

Read our ultimate guide to agile for change manager.

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Lessons in Change Management from “The Powers of Ten”

by The Change Compass | Change Initiatives, Designing change

In 1977, Ray and Charles Eames, celebrated for their iconic mid-century furniture, embarked on a cosmic journey. Their creation, “The Powers of Ten,” takes viewers from an ordinary picnic on Earth to the edges of the observable universe, showcasing the vastness and intricacy of our cosmos. Beyond its cinematic wonder, this film offers profound insights into change management – a journey of continuity and transformation. Let’s embark on a parallel voyage, learning valuable lessons from the Eames masterpiece. The link to the famous 9-minute video can be found here.

The Power of Change Management Components

Change management, much like the universe depicted in “The Powers of Ten,” encompasses a multitude of components. Let’s explore these components and understand how they relate to effective change management.

Continuity and Change

In “The Powers of Ten,” we witness the dynamic interplay of continuity and change. Just as our universe maintains its constants while evolving, organizations must strike a balance between what remains unaltered and what must adapt. This balance is essential for effective change management. Identify the periods when your frontline staff are pivotal, align your change strategies with these busy phases, and ensure that new initiatives consider these high-activity periods.

Understanding Cultural Context

In “The Powers of Ten,” every frame reveals shifting perspectives. Similarly, when communicating change, acknowledge the diverse lenses through which employees view your messages. Understand their cultural contexts and adapt your approach. One-size-fits-all communication often falls short. Tailor your messages to resonate with various audiences, fostering greater acceptance and engagement.

Cross Collaboration through Context

Change flourishes when change drivers collaborate effectively with change receivers. Drivers must provide vision, intent, resources, and leadership, while receivers offer feedback, support, and behavioral adjustments. Successful collaboration relies on a deep understanding of each other’s contexts. Learn why changes are necessary, how to implement them, and what they require. Acknowledge the cultural context of those impacted by the changes, a crucial aspect often overlooked.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Statistics reinforce the importance of change management. According to a study by Prosci, organizations using a structured approach to change management are 78% more likely to meet or exceed their project objectives. This statistic underscores the need for a strategic, data-driven approach in change management. Make informed decisions, assess the impact of change initiatives, and use data to guide your strategy.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

Effective change management relies on robust stakeholder engagement and clear communication. Just as “The Powers of Ten” engages viewers with its visuals and narration, your change initiatives should engage stakeholders through well-crafted communication strategies. Ensure all stakeholders are informed, involved, and heard throughout the change process.

Leadership and Vision

In the Eames film, the journey from picnicking on Earth to exploring the cosmos required a guiding vision. Similarly, successful change management necessitates strong leadership and a clear vision for the future. Leaders must inspire, provide direction, and motivate teams to embrace change.

“The Powers of Ten” is more than a cinematic masterpiece; it’s a guide to navigating change within your organization. Embrace continuity while ushering in change, acknowledging the diverse cultural contexts of your employees. Facilitate collaboration through shared understanding, and maintain a sense of curiosity as you traverse the ever-evolving landscape of change management.

Take your first step into change management’s cosmic universe. Book a weekly demo with us to learn how to navigate the challenges and opportunities effectively.