Test Learn and Grow principles
It’s exciting (and of course a little frustrating) to look on at the vital work of ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ from a distance. Will it be the thing that finally shifts the system of UK government? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_test-learn-and-grow-principles-activity-7317845578602741761-uO-U Let’s look at their principles to explore.
It’s exciting (and of course a little frustrating) to look on at this vital work that Nick Kimber is leading from a distance. Will it be the thing that finally shifts the system of UK government?
Let’s look at their principles to explore:
1. We’re here to change the centre
100% agree. #Localgovernmentreform and #devolution will just be rearranging the deck chairs if they’re not actual central government reform. There’s tension here — ‘that’s where the rules of the game are set’ — must it be that way? ‘Unblocking barriers’ is good but it’s centralising thinking. I’d rather see a partnership of power.
2. We value hands-on experience
Very good — it’s the interface with those with no ‘dirty fingernails’ but all the power that will count.
3. Participation improves things
Could easily be tokenism or undue epistemic privilege — or could it be real partnership? This will come out in the wash.
4. Relationships, not transactions
Very good — how will the longevity and mutuality this demands be achieved?
5. We deliver in teams
This points to the digital/design thinking layer poking through the principles. OK… good… but ‘self-sufficient teams’ means closure — not open equal working talked about elsewhere.
6. We keep learning, always
Yes. But learning only matters if it *lasts*, and feeds back into decision-making.
7. Networks, not hierarchies
This feels incoherent — the work comes from the biggest hierarchy around! How does this resonate in the Civil Service?
8. Outcomes, not technologies
Your ‘outcomes not technologies’ T-shirt is raising questions not, in fact, answered by your T-shirt.
9. We strengthen localities
Very noblesse oblige of you ;-)
10. We build for scale and to grow this way of working
OK — but is this changing the entire government bit-by-bit, or designing scalable services, or helping real relational work to grow? Big differences.
11. We improve things quickly
Great! Share the wins and share the barriers too — the candour of this will be a *huge* test of potential or reveal the real undiscussable barriers.
12. We work in the open
See above… and are you a movement? Or a government-mandated budget-limited team which can be closed down at will?
13. We solve complex problems with diverse perspectives
100% — who are your nominated disagreeable team members?
I love this agile, adaptive, radical thinking for us… and I want to hear what the five and ten-year commitments are.
