How to build a nimble plane (by skipping the wings).
The Yolotown team stood in a cavernous, echoing hangar. Dusty sunlight slanted in through high windows, glinting off neat piles of untouched parts — stacks of riveted metal sheets, unopened crates of bolts, and a lonely pair of brand-new wings leaning against the wall.
In the middle sat a single folding table, where the lazy cat licked her paws.
“We’ve been asked to build a plane. In the past, we’ve had issues with projects because of other people’s rigid expectations. I think we should change the way we work — make it more nimble. What do you think?”
“Everyone knows individuals and interactions matter more than processes and tools,” said the rooster confidently. “So we should start with the in-flight entertainment system. Most people will use that, so it deserves the most time. We can do the controls later — only the pilots need them.”
The lazy cat nodded and scribbled something on a leaf.
“Good point,” said the parrot. “Also, responding to change is better than following a plan. But making a plan, then constantly updating it as we respond? That’s too much effort. Let’s skip the plan and just do the responding bit.”
The cat slowly pushed the plane plans off the desk. They fluttered to the floor landing in a pool of oil.
The sloth raised a paw “I think working software matters more than documentation — we won’t know what to document until it’s done. So we should bolt things together first, then… circle back to the schematics at the end. If there’s time.”
The rooster added thoughtfully. “Yes. And in that case… …we could skip the wings too. The plane would be much more nimble without them. Wings cause a lot of drag.”
The rooster strutted to the workbench, picked up a little balsa model of the plane, and with great ceremony, snapped off both wings. The pieces clattered to the floor.
Patsy stopped chewing her grass.
The lazy cat looked around the hanger, smiling.
“This feels like a much better way to run projects. I’m sure this one will be a smash hit.”
Davide la Locomotive 
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