Allan Kelly
Bio
Allan Kelly agreed to be an official supporter of Evolved, for which we are very grateful. But approval can be taken away at any time, as new information is learned.
Allan Kelly turns up in class from time to time.
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More Publications
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**Summary:**
Allan Kelly is a leading author and thought leader on OKRs, Agile, and product ownership. His books—including *Succeeding with OKRs in Agile*, *The Art of Agile Product Ownership*, *Business Patterns for Software Developers*, *Xanpan*, and *Changing Software Development*—are widely used by Agile practitioners and leaders. His articles and talks provide actionable, experience-based guidance on OKRs, Agile transformation, and effective product management.
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## Books
### 1. **Succeeding with OKRs in Agile**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Description:**
A practical, experience-based guide to integrating Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) with Agile practices for enhanced team performance and strategic alignment. Kelly explains how OKRs and Agile both focus on outcomes and results, and shows how to write, organize, and deliver OKRs in real teams. The book covers pitfalls, anti-patterns, and the risks of misusing OKRs, offering actionable advice for teams and leaders. Drawing from real-world experience, Kelly demonstrates how OKRs can focus teams, expose problems, and drive meaningful change.
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### 2. **The Art of Agile Product Ownership: A Guide for Product Managers, Business Analysts, and Entrepreneurs**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Description:**
This book examines the multifaceted and pivotal role of the Product Owner in Agile teams. Kelly explains the differences between Product Owners, business analysts, product managers, and project managers, clarifying what Product Owners should and shouldn’t do. The book blends concepts, use cases, and anecdotes from Kelly’s coaching experience, ending with a curated reading list for further learning. It is recommended for anyone responsible for product ownership in Agile environments.
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### 3. **Business Patterns for Software Developers**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Description:**
A pattern language for understanding business strategy and operations in software companies. This book offers step-by-step guidance, patterns, and case studies to help software professionals and entrepreneurs navigate strategic challenges, ranging from cost leadership to product differentiation and market focus. The book is based on years of research and pattern writing, and is a must-have for those seeking to bridge the gap between software and business strategy.
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### 4. **Xanpan: Team Centric Agile Software Development**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Description:**
Xanpan is a hybrid Agile method that combines elements of XP (Extreme Programming) and Kanban, distilled from Kelly’s own experience running and coaching teams. The book is structured as a series of stories and practical lessons, offering a flexible, team-centric approach to Agile that encourages the mixing and matching of practices to fit the context.
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### 5. **Changing Software Development: Learning to Become Agile**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Description:**
Kelly explains why software development is fundamentally about managing change and promoting organizational learning. The book combines theory (knowledge management, learning organizations) with practical advice and case studies, helping managers and developers adopt Agile and Lean approaches as tools for continuous improvement and innovation.
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## Books
### 1. **Succeeding with OKRs in Agile**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Publisher:** Leanpub / Self-published
**Publication Date:** 2nd Edition, 2023
**ISBN:** [Leanpub Edition](https://leanpub.com/agileokrs2)
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### 2. **The Art of Agile Product Ownership: A Guide for Product Managers, Business Analysts, and Entrepreneurs**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Publisher:** Apress
**Publication Date:** 2019
**ISBN:** 978-1484255940
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### 3. **Business Patterns for Software Developers**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Publisher:** Wiley
**Publication Date:** 2012
**ISBN:** 978-1119999249
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### 4. **Xanpan: Team Centric Agile Software Development**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Publisher:** Leanpub / Software Strategy Ltd
**Publication Date:** 2012
**ISBN:** [Leanpub Edition](https://leanpub.com/xanpan)
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### 5. **Changing Software Development: Learning to Become Agile**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Publisher:** Wiley
**Publication Date:** 2008
**ISBN:** 978-0470721362
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## Selected Articles
### 1. **All agile initiatives are flawed (and that’s good)**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Platform:** LinkedIn
**Publication Date:** May 2024
**Description:**
Kelly argues that all agile initiatives are necessarily flawed because they reveal what needs to change beyond the team. He discusses how OKRs can act as “just-in-time story generators” and powerful change drivers, making problems visible and helping teams and leaders focus on strategy and outcomes rather than just outputs.
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### 2. **Are Product Owners Set Up to Fail? ****
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Platform:** AllanKelly.net
**Publication Date:** April 2024
**Description:**
Kelly examines why Product Owners often become mere backlog administrators rather than empowered strategic leaders. He discusses systemic issues in organizations, the challenges of the Product Owner role, and offers insights from his book *The Art of Agile Product Ownership*.
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### 3. **5 Tips for OKRs with Agile**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Platform:** Think Lithe / Lithe Transformation
**Publication Date:** June 2024
**Description:**
Kelly provides five practical tips for combining OKRs with Agile, emphasizing the importance of setting OKRs bottom-up, avoiding a command-and-control approach, and empowering teams to set their own objectives aligned with the organizational purpose.
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### 4. **Xanpan – The XP-Kanban Hybrid**
**Author:** Allan Kelly
**Platform:** AllanKelly.net
**Publication Date:** 2018
**Description:**
Kelly introduces Xanpan, his hybrid Agile method, and discusses the value of mixing and matching Agile practices to fit team context, rather than rigidly following any one framework.
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## Additional Contributions
- **Conference Papers & Patterns:**
Kelly has contributed numerous business patterns and papers to conferences such as EuroPLoP and VikingPLoP, helping to develop a pattern language for business strategy in technology companies.
- **Podcasts and Interviews:**
Kelly is a frequent guest on Agile and OKR podcasts, sharing insights on integrating OKRs with Agile and practical advice for teams.
