“The Small Batches Way” combines seminal ideas in management and systems thinking into a theory. That theory lead to practices. This creates North Star to aim for, and practices to move closer to it. It’s the base for excellence in individuals, teams, and organizations.

After completing this study guide, you will see a path to excellence in each of these areas and know where to focus your personal-development and self-study.

Dr. Deming says “there is no practice without theory”. My corollary is that excellent theory precedes excellent practice. This guide supplies the excellent theory to practice and improve what you do.

The Way traces the origin of modern management to modern day high-velocity software development. This is the foundation for the four pillars of software delivery excellency:

1. Practicing test-driven development

2. Understanding continuous delivery

3. Understanding software architecture

4. Understanding production operations

After completing this study guide, you will see a path to excellence in each of these areas and know where to focus your personal-development and self-study.