How Amazon practices the three laws of Agile management

Abstract

Purpose

The article offers a clear and succinct account of the Amazon approach to Agile management (though it doesn’t call it that, and offers best practices to enable others to learn how to think–and act–like Amazon.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws on the insights and experiences of John Rossman an Amazon senior manager who was an effective innovator for the company.

Findings

Amazon has a distinctive approach to implementing the three principles of Agile: 10;∙9; Customer-obsessed. 10;∙9; Small is beautiful. 10;∙9; Networks.

Practical implications

Customer obsession at Amazon is enabled and driven by customer-driven metrics.

Originality/value

Drawing on his experience innovating for the company, John Rossman describes in detail how Amazon created an environment with very different values and behaviors, an approach that employs the principles of Agile management.

Citation

Denning, S. (2019), "How Amazon practices the three laws of Agile management", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 47 No. 5, pp. 36-41. https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-07-2019-0104