In this captivating conference keynote, we embark on an intellectual voyage that traces the evolutionary currents of two influential methodologies: Lean and Agile, while our compass points towards The Flow System™, a comprehensive approach to optimize the flow of value through an organization.

Picture a river merging tributaries — born in the automotive Lean’s stream of waste reduction and sprouting from software development Agile’s cascading iterations — into a powerful current of continuous value delivery.

As our vessel navigates the rapids of customer-centricity and faces whirlpools of cultural clashes and scaling challenges, we realize that our voyage cannot be safely completed without understanding the DNA of Organizations — The Triple Helix of The Flow System™:

•  Complexity Thinking: Ah, the undercurrents! How can we surf these waves, embracing uncertainty? It’s essential to understand that not everything is predictable. Complexity Thinking is a new form of thinking to aid in understanding uncertainty.
• Distributed Leadership: How do leaders navigate these waters, balancing vision with adaptability? Do we rely on the skills of the helmsman or the crew? Here, leadership transcends titles; it’s about servant leadership, empowering teams, and fostering a culture of shared decision making.
• Team Science: Our crew— diverse, collaborative, and passionate —, our most important resource propelling us forward, how can we avoid them becoming pirates? Team Science is a discipline to maximize the benefits of Agile’s self-organizing teams and Lean’s cross-functional collaboration.

Fear not fellow explorers, hoist the sails, and let’s chart a course towards the confluence of Lean and Agile: The Flow System!