The Classic Story of the Pig and Chicken
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www.implementingscrum.com -- Cartoon -- September 11, 2006 - Scrum - This is the classic story of the Pig and Chicken metaphor in an Agile Software Development Project Management Technique

View a translated version here — now available in 10+ other languages!

Welcome to the inaugural cartoon on www.implementingscrum.com.

Since the original publication of this cartoon series (starting September 11, 2006) I have made a few updates to the content of this page.Nothing has materially changed since we started the series; if anything, I hope it adds clarification to the overall content! This story is the first in an ongoing series to help explain what Scrum “is.”

And.

What Scrum “is not.”

Will we get it correct all the time?

Probably not. And that is OK. The plan is for all of us to learn.

Your comments are always welcome.

So, why are we using a Chicken and Pig? The story depicted above, as weird as it is, helps me — and others — explain two of the main types of people in Scrum.

I am amazed that the Human Resource Departments of many companies I consult with have not shut down this example; it is probably only a matter of time. This is still the best example I know of to explain the roles, and this is what our cartoon series reflects.

The basic premise of the Chicken and the Pig can be seen from the cartoon example above.

Here is an easy definition of the Chickens versus Pigs.

A Pig is someone who has skin in the game. Mike Cohn aptly refers to the people in that role as, “Having their Bacon on the line.”

Pig roles are considered core team members. Performers. People who “do” work.

Get it?

I would consider the roles of both Product Owner and the ScrumMaster to be pigs on a team.

A Chicken is someone who has something to gain by the Pigs performing, but in the end, really do not contribute day to day to “getting things done.” Their “eggs” are a renewable resource, and many get laid (eggs that is).

I get asked the following question by many people when starting to use Scrum:

“Can I be a Pig and Chicken at the same time?”

No.

You cannot be a Pig and a Chicken at the same time.

This is something I work with middle managers who struggle with this on a daily basis. The concept takes coaching, and constant [gentle] reminders that they cannot be a Pig/Chicken. I call this a Pigkin… and it is something you do not want to see in any organization!

A video commentary of this cartoon can be viewed here (it was posted February 16, 2008):

Meet the rest of our cast in this series!

We will examine this and other issues in this series, as this is fun to see happen (sometimes sad WHILE it is happening, but funny to imagine).

I do hope the simplicity of the cartoon above gets the point across. Remember it. It will serve us well in the journey ahead.

Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here. You can also enter The Scrum Community to discuss this cartoon and other Scrum topics.

Thank you!


Originally Published:
September 11, 2006
Updated:
May 1, 200
October 23, 2007
February 16, 2008 (with Video)
More:
November 29, 2006

Posted in Cartoons,Chickens,Pigs,Product Owner,ScrumMaster,Video — by mvizdos on 09/11/06 (45) comments




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45 Comments! to “The Classic Story of the Pig and Chicken”

  1. Irina’s Weblog » Fish are friends, not food Says:

    [...] ? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ? ???????? ?????, ??? ? ?????? ????????? ???? ????????????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????????? ?? ??????? ??????? ? Scrum ???????. ????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ? ?????????, ????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ??????. ????????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????????? ? ? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ? ???? (???????????? ham’n eggs). ?? ????? ??????? ???????? : “No thanks, I will be commited. But you’d only be involved!” [...]

  2. ImplementingScrum - Blog Says:

    [...] This week the comic depicts what a lot of Chickens struggle with. [...]

  3. ImplementingScrum - Blog Says:

    [...] If you are new here… or need a “refresher” on the Chicken and Pig story… go here (http://www.implementingscrum.com/blog/2006/09/11/the-classic-story-of-the-pig-and-chicken/) [...]

  4. ImplementingScrum - Blog Says:

    [...] [...]

  5. ImplementingScrum - Blog Says:

    [...] Step one is to break the team into “managers” (chickens) and “workers” (pigs). [...]

  6. Implementing Scrum -- Scrum Blog -- Comic Strips and Blog Entries for Scrum, an Agile Software Development Technique. Says:

    [...] [...]

  7. IF-Blog » Blog Archive » Die Scrum-Sprechstunde: Rollen in Scrum Says:

    [...] Mehr zur Herkunft des Titels “Chicken” könnt Ihr im Blog “Implementing Scrum” finden… [...]

  8. Finally proof the Product Owner is a chicken! | Scrum Master.com.au Says:

    [...] So in Scrum we talk about a number of terms and roles, the ones I’m talking about today are the Product Owner, chickens and pigs. Chickens and Pigs: If you don’t understand what Chicken and Pigs are within Scrum check out this great cartoon over on Implementing Scrum.com [...]

  9. Social Glass » Agile is Hard to Implement Says:

    [...] “Uh, well tell me a story from the user’s perspective. We’ll collaborate on design and further detail the feature during the sprint period. And remember, you’re a pig and that guy over there’s a chicken.” [...]

  10. Real Coders Coding | Spreading the Word w/ Information Radiators Says:

    [...] we struggled with various ways to maintain transparency so that we could satisfy our higher-ups (or the chickens in Scrum parlance) desire to know the status of our sprints and when we would be ready to deploy, [...]

  11. Scrum 101: Day 1 | JohnLing.com Says:

    [...] First, some overdue credits: the good folks at Berteig Consulting has sent over a list of readings for the CSM course. Most of the information will be based from these materials. The cubic pig and chicken from the title graphic is the fine work of VladZ. As to why the pig and chicken are featured, see here. [...]

  12. Paul Henman Says:

    Did you see today’s Dilbert?

    :)

  13. Is your bacon on the line? — andrewmccall.com Says:

    [...] Source: implementingscrum.com [...]

  14. This Blog Needs No Name | February | 2009 Says:

    [...] wanted to take part as a pig rather than a chicken, to use a Scrum metaphor, so I held a talk myself, about continuous integration – how [...]

  15. ADSystems » Product Owner em crise de identidade Says:

    [...] de poucas semanas, diferentes pessoas me fizeram a mesma pergunta: o Product Owner é MESMO um Pig? Tem certeza? Adicionalmente a isto, tenho visto que grande parte dos clientes que visito, e que [...]

  16. Constant Change » Death by Scrum Meeting Says:

    [...] stand-up. 15 minutes max. Only pigs are allowed to speak. Single team daily coordination. Answer 3 questions. 1. What did I complete [...]

  17. Should You Be Committed? « Kristen’s Blog Says:

    [...] http://www.implementingscrum.com/ [...]

  18. The dirtiest pig in Scrum - The Product Owner « Agile Change Says:

    [...] often makes reference to a classic joke regarding a pig and a chicken. The chicken wants to partner with the pig to start a restaurant. The pig says, “No [...]

  19. Common Agile Observations | Nicholas' Blog Says:

    [...] that is someone who contributes but isn’t committed.  (Mike Vizdos has a great cartoon explaining the pig and chicken metaphor).  Chickens can be anyone from an outside consultant or subject matter expert to a CEO.  They [...]

  20. Scrum: quem são os porcos e as galinhas? « Blog da Bluesoft Says:

    [...] uma tirinha criada pelo site implementingscrum.com (e traduzida pelo Leonardo Dantas) que explica a origem dos [...]

  21. Nine women, one month | Steven "Doc" List's Random Musings Says:

    [...] Among the other things we talk about so frequently in the Agile community is commitment. Do you know the story of the Pig and the Chicken? [...]

  22. Mihai Mafteianu » Blog Archive » The fable of the chicken and the pig Says:

    [...] http://www.implementingscrum.com/2006/09/11/the-classic-story-of-the-pig-and-chicken/ June 23rd, 2009 in Tips | tags: chicken, entrepreneurship, fable, pig, project, scrum, [...]

  23. Starting a Business » Part Time vs Full Time Says:

    [...] the Pig – popular in the literature for SCRUM – an Agile development methodology (see here). The Chicken goes to the Pig: “Let’s open a restaurant”. The Pig goes “I [...]

  24. mvizdos Says:

    Let me know if I can add any information to your site as I have started many small businesses. And am currently running one!

  25. Naveen Says:

    I love your son’s explanation. Very cute!

  26. Labnotes » I switched to Ruby 1.9 (and you should too) Says:

    [...] yesterday, I was chicken on 1.9.1, not pig. Most times I would remember to run 1.9 commands. Other times, I would be [...]

  27. Monthly Strategic Meeting « Analytical Mind Says:

    [...] All employees interested and available can attend the meeting as “chickens“. [...]

  28. Roolit scrumissa « Sekalaista höpinää Says:

    [...] scrummin eri rooleista. Heillä oli aika mielenkiitoisia näkemyksiä niistä ja erityisesti kanat ja siat naurattivat heitä. He epäilivät koodareiden olevan sikoja työympäristönsä [...]

  29. Daily Scrum is for Pigs « Customer Oriented Software Development Says:

    [...] September 27, 2009 Daily Scrum is for Pigs Posted by henriklarsson under agile, daily scrum, scrum Leave a Comment  In the Scrum world people are committed or involved. See the Classic Story of the Pig and Chicken. [...]

  30. Confluence: Kehitys Says:

    Työkalut…

    Alla ransklaisin viivoin ja linkit projekteissa käytettäviin menetelmiin ja työkaluihin. Lisätietoa löyty seka Jabin Confluencesta, projektien kotisivuilta että muualta netistä etsimällä…….

  31. Scrum in Web Development – Spark Genius Says:

    [...] Cartoon: The Classic Story of the Pig and the Chicken (Explains roles in Scrum) This entry was written by Administrator, posted on October 19, 2009 at 1:26 pm, filed under News. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « Client – Utah Renaissance & Leadership Center [...]

  32. Online Scrum Tool Says:

    I like how your son put it. Check out the http://www.scrumedge.com logo.

  33. mvizdos Says:

    I am not endorsing this product — just wanted to say that logo is pretty cool :) . Nice job!

  34. chrisajenkins (chrisajenkins) Says:

    Twitter Comment


    The Pig and the Chicken [link to post]

    Posted using Chat Catcher

  35. mvizdos (Mike Vizdos) Says:

    Twitter Comment


    @chrisajenkins Thanks for the pointer to [link to post] Wow… it all really started for me with this posting :) . I appreciate it.

    Posted using Chat Catcher

  36. Taridzo Says:

    I dont know what you think, but i would not call the role of the product owner “pig”. The product owner has his role during planning, but once a commitment to the goal is made, it’s up to the team to deliver. PO attends daily scrums only as an observer. The team is a definitely commited pig.

  37. mvizdos Says:

    Hmm…. I’d consider them a “pig” in that good ones are involved *daily* with the team to make minor course corrections and not have any surprises from the rest of the team :) .

  38. SCRUM e Testes: Quais as melhores formas de implementar? « QualidadeBR Says:

    [...] PO atuando apenas como um envolvido, ou pior ainda, pouco cooperando com a [...]

  39. polymathea (polymathea) Says:

    Twitter Comment


    Transcribing series of interviews on Strategic Alliances – one has #Bruce Acheson talking about the ham n egg alliance! [link to post]

    Posted using Chat Catcher

  40. ashokbabuy (Ashok Yalamanchili) Says:

    Twitter Comment


    Currently reading [link to post] by @mvizdos. Please RT.

    Posted using Chat Catcher

  41. UrWIneGuy (James Jazz King) Says:

    Twitter Comment


    Be the #Bacon: [link to post] by @mvizdos. Please RT.

    Posted using Chat Catcher

  42. Dennis Stevens Says:

    This is one of the most distasteful, divisive, and inaccurate stories in the world of software development. In most organizations, the only person putting the ability to feed their family on the line is the Product Owner or the Executive Sponsor of the project.

    We pretend Agile is about Trust, and then we promote Chickens and Pigs as the very first story assuring we are establishing a low trust relationship with management. Are you kidding me? Is this really something we want to continue to promote – that we feel the developers are the only ones with anything on the line in spending the companies money trying to deliver value to our customers.

    Dennis Stevens

  43. mvizdos Says:

    Hi,

    I appreciate the comment and understand that some people do not like this analogy. I specifically use this analogy to show the conversations between Team Members, Product Owners, and ScrumMasters are difficult. I am using this cartoon series (around for almost 4 years with almost 100 cartoons published) to help *start* those conversations. Like the analogy or not, well, it is here to stay and I will continue to use it so that we can all have tough conversations — thus improving things for all of us!

  44. Cassiekov (Cassiekov) Says:

    Twitter Comment


    Are you a “pig” or a “chicken”? [link to post] (thanks @marissasays for your Scrum talk today).

    Posted using Chat Catcher

  45. daily_meeting (Daily Meeting) Says:

    Twitter Comment


    The Classic Story of the Pig and Chicken. [link to post] #scrum #agile

    Posted using Chat Catcher

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