More proof agile is not just for software delivery
Demolishing the Old Shed: An Agile Approach in Action
Since moving into our new house, we knew it was only a matter of time before the old shed would need to go. Built by the previous owner, it had some rot, and this year, it became a hotspot for curious raccoons looking for a new home. With the summer holidays approaching and many people away, we decided it was the perfect time to tackle the project.
The only catch? The weather was scorching, and the shed’s location, right next to the fence and our neighbour’s cars—meant we had to be extra careful. Unlike a typical small shed you could push over, this one was oddly sturdy in some places and weak in others. A single misstep could cause unwanted damage.
Breaking Down the Work: Agile Sprints
Embracing my agile mindset, I broke the demolition into manageable chunks—sprints lasting a couple of hours each. This allowed us to take breaks from the sun, hydrate, grab a bite, and regroup to discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how to adapt our plan.
Initially, we tried taking down the walls first, thinking we could just push the structure over. But the shed’s construction surprised us, some parts were much sturdier than expected, and we realized pushing it could send it crashing the wrong way. So, we adapted: we braced the structure and focused on removing the heavy roof panels first to reduce the risk.
Inspect, Adapt, Repeat
After each sprint, we reassessed. With the roof removed, we decided to dismantle the shed section by section, starting from the back. Waste management became a challenge as the bin filled up faster than planned. Our solution? Cut the wood into smaller pieces to maximize space.
The next day, working solo, I continued the section-by-section approach. Halfway through, I noticed that if I kept going, the front could topple in the wrong direction due to shifting weight. Time for another plan: I removed a few key studs, tied a rope to the frame, and carefully pulled it down—just like toppling a table by removing a leg. It worked perfectly, with no damage.
Building the New Shed: Teamwork and Iteration
With the old shed gone, prepping the base was a breeze. The next day, with some extra help, we built the new shed, checking instructions and distributing tasks every couple of hours. We even tested it with a hose to make sure it was watertight.
The Agile Lesson
This project reinforced a key lesson: the agile mindset isn’t just for software. By breaking work into small, manageable increments, regularly reassessing, and adapting as we go, we avoided major risks and finished faster than expected. Agile isn’t about speed for its own sake—it’s about delivering value, managing risks early, and being ready to pivot when surprises arise.
Had we stuck with our original plan, we could have faced a disaster. Instead, by working in components, staying flexible, and learning as we went, we got the job done smoothly—and even enjoyed the process.
Organizations are beginning to realize that agile principles can be applied far beyond software development. Whether you’re tearing down a shed or tackling a business transformation, an agile approach helps you find value, manage risk, and adapt to whatever comes your way.
"I help create ecosystems that become legacies.”
- Jeremy Berriault
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