Throughout the Scrumfamily blog, I write about specific aspects of Agile and Lean thinking as I have interpreted and applied them in a family context. Although I sometimes define a particular concept briefly to elaborate a specific point, my blog is not intended to be a primer.
If this blog happens to be your first introduction to these concepts, the links below can help you on your way to a deeper, theoretical understanding. Many of these resources focus on software development, but the seminal contributions of Deming and Senge cut across many disciplines. If nothing else, consider spending some time reading/watching their work.
Lean, Systems Thinking and Kanban
Deming. http://bit.ly/mkRAPt [VIDEO on 14 points of Management]
The Fifth Discipline, by Peter Senge
Lean Thinking, by Womack and Jones
For Lean software development, this is a must-read list: http://bit.ly/iYDnw7 [8 steps to kickstart your adoption of Lean Development]
For Kanban as a specific implementation of Lean software development, Kanban by David Anderson and Scrumban by Corey Ladas are the classic starting points. David’s book also has great takeaways for non-technical readers who are trying to get their heads around the practicality of Kanban in their business.
I would follow that with a few hours on Karl Scotland’s blog. He also has a great reading list and blogroll that will take you further into the world of Lean and Kanban.
Agile and Scrum
Start here: The Essential Agile Reading List
I will add additional blog and author references for specific aspects of Agile and Scrum, e.g. Product Management/Ownership, when the time allows.
More on Personal Kanban
The Personal Kanban community is growing daily. To see more inspiring examples of how it’s helping people to manage their lives, check out the Personal Kanban Links on the right, starting with Personal Kanban 101. And drop by the Facebook Community to share in the conversation about Personal Kanban.
I can also highly recommend Personal Kanban the Book. It includes a step-by-step breakdown of how to implement Personal Kanban successfully in your own life.
Becoming an Agile Family 
I have started incorporating lean and agile into by home / family maintenance as well as my personal productivity. It has implications for so many areas and it it truly a journey. Started with Kanban for household supplies. Elimination of waste and standardization of product placement, visual ques for family lists and a visual (agile ) to do board with a backlog. I am looking for others interested in the same thing. Mimi Klimberg
Hi Mimi
Then you have certainly come to the right place! There are a few of us practising lean and agile in home contexts. There are also Personal Kanban groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.
I’m curious about your Kanban for household supplies. How does that work?
Regards,
Maritza
Hi Mimi,
I was on holiday when you left this comment. My apologies for not replying right away.
What you describe is certainly the journey our family has been on for the past five years. With every passing year, we continue evolving the way we use visual cues and our approach to our board isn’t the same anymore either.
Would love to hear more about your experiences.
Maritza