Like the combination of chocolate and peanut butter in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, this book successfully melds the methods of agile software development (ASD) and human performance technology (HPT) into a tasty treat.

According to my son, Tom, the key to a good peanut butter cup is combining the two main ingredients in just the right proportion. This book does just that. The author is a skilled chef, accomplished and recognized in both disciplines.

The book is divided into eight chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the key concepts of ASD and HPT. Chapters 2 and 3 cover the chocolate: human performance improvement and the performance consultant’s toolkit. Chapters 4 and 5 cover the peanut butter: ASD and the toolkit used by agile software engineers. Chapters 6 through 8 explore the combination: agile performance improvement, demonstrating value, and continuous improvement. The book concludes with a glossary and recommendations for further study.

Chapter 8 provides additional motivation for combining HPT and ASD, besides the fact that they might taste great together. It examines pressures on the organizational system, the importance of value from the customer’s perspective, and measures of success.

Agilists wanting to learn more about HPT should read Gilbert’s classic book [1] and explore the resources on the websites of the International Society for Performance Improvement [2] and the Association for Talent Development [3].

Performance Consultants seeking more knowledge about ASD should see Moran’s recent book [4] and explore the resources on the Agile Alliance website [5].

This book makes an important contribution to how to combine what we know and practice in ASD and HPT. It provides direction and insight for what I call the “big agile roadmap,” that is, helping organizations create more value for their stakeholders through continual readiness for change [6].

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