The Async-First Playbook: Remote Collaboration Techniques for Agile Software Teams

by Sumeet Gayathri Moghe

Reimagining Agile for Distributed and Remote Teams Distributed work is now inevitable, but conventional agile approaches are too "synchronous" for today's remote teams. Meetings, ceremonies, and rituals can become unsustainable when teams are scattered across the globe. The burnout, constant interruptions, a lack of deep work, poor work-life balance, greater frustration, and workplaces with poor diversity. In The Async-First Playbook , Thoughtworks Principal Product Manager Sumeet Gayathri Moghe provides tools and techniques to embed remote-native, asynchronous practices into traditional agile methods, making remote work more efficient, inclusive, thoughtful, and fun. Drawing on extensive experience leading distributed teams, Moghe addresses the "nuts and bolts" of specific practices and the crucial "softer" elements such as culture, mindset, and leadership. Short, practical chapters show how to adapt traditional agile techniques such as sprints and pair programming for the realities of today's distributed environments. Whatever your project, you’ll learn how to create asynchronous environments that promote success, improve the workplace experience, and deliver better results. "This playbook will empower you to lead and build differently. All that you need is an open mind and a belief that the status quo isn’t worthy of defining the future."
-- From the Foreword by Darren Murph Register your book for convenient access to downloads, updates, and/or corrections as they become available. See inside book for details.

Genres: Management

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2023

About the author

Sumeet Gayathri Moghe, Principal Product Manager at Thoughtworks, is an agile transformation specialist with 20+ years of IT consulting experience. He has helped clients deliver new products and adopt agile ways of working in travel, payments, financial services, education, analytics, consulting, retail, and beyond. Moghe has always worked in distributed teams, and went “all-remote” in 2017, long before it was commonplace. He blogs about remote collaboration at www.asyncagile.org.

Reviews

[Rupali Mohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to pause and reflect on lot of ways that are critical but often get missed while being in delivery mode. This one has let me retrospect and not only learn quite a few tips and tricks of async first approach but also unlearn the usual comfortable mode of meetings as the first resort

The author's importance on writing down every bit of project work is the mantra that I would like to go with. This one is indeed I feel the ONLY way to streamline the chaos that comes along in the rush of delivery that we always are in!!

Shifting left approach is being explained quite aptly and I hope to imbibe that in the work culture.

The example of Nita was alarming one, got to understand the situation of few of us only after reading the start and end of the book to see a sea change in the ways of working for her.

[Shilpa Badekila]

A great read for the remote first era. With Remote and Hybrid work, employees are feeling the burden of additional meetings and extra work hours they need to put in. "The Async-First Playbook" rightly challenges the necessity of meetings and provides us lots of insights on how most of the communication can happen async even in Agile. Sumeet talks about the right strategies, tools, frameworks, etc on how to drive collaboration to maximize productivity in distributed teams.

[Rajagopal Parthasarathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Async Bible

Part guerilla part advocate !!!

Author outlines various practices and Toolkit along with companion resources. Have taken copious notes. Should trial many practices in my current org.

All employees can read to benefit as it provides everyone concrete steps they can work. Some of them would challenge conventions but definitely agree with the author future is Distributed and async

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is crafted in a conversational style, fostering a more engaging and accessible reading experience.

The incorporation of quotes from similar books is truly impressive, adding depth and richness to the content.

A valuable lesson learned from the book is the importance of treating meetings as a last resort, emphasizing more efficient and productive alternatives.

[Eren · Rating 5 out of 5]

An up-to-date book that explains many concepts related to asynchronous work in an easily understandable way. I found this book extremely helpful. In addition to the electronic version on O'Reilly, I felt the need to get a physical copy as well. Thank you to the author and everyone involved in the creation of this book.
Eren Kalelioğlu (Founder of Ponsatlas)

[Gopalakrishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. The book is full of pragmatic tips to help make distributed teams more efficient.

[Pablo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended book, even if you're not working fully remote.

[namitha santosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I pause to reflect back on the past few years of my personal & professional life, I am intrigued by how the entire world is still reeling under the massive effect that COVID brought with it. The deep behavioural change it imposed on all of us - as people, as societies, as businesses. We were left with no choice but to go through waves of ‘Forced Adoption’ of Physical to Virtual to somewhat Hybrid now.
Well the silver lining to these forced ‘Change Waves’ are new norms and new opportunities that we can tap into for communication, collaboration and working together as collectives.

Sumeet Gayathri Moghe's book 'The Async-First Playbook: Remote Collaboration Techniques for Agile Software Teams could not have come at a better time. This is storytelling at its best!
Sharing practical insights, mental models and an opportunity to spontaneously tap into these principles for our day-to-day working. Be it for a simple team meeting or a series of strategic interventions with client stakeholders. A line that captures this so meaningfully in the book is where Sumeet describes “…..the state of being still, being present,  being satiable”. This would bring back the joy, the creativity and the efficiency that each of us seek in our work place.

The book ‘Consults’ and does not ‘Prescribe or patronise’, which allows the reader to have the key take-aways and think on our feet to contextually apply.
The spectrum of synchronousness is a good example, where we start to appreciate more deeper aspects of working together, engaging and striving towards outcomes.

I strongly recommend this book to all who have to work across time zones, organisational boundaries with an aspiration to have not just a good work-life balance but nurture great relationships and excel in their professional goals.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

In today's remote work world, 'The Async-First Playbook' is a breath of fresh air. The author, who I’ve followed besides this book, takes us on a journey into the world of async-first communication, showing us how to ditch the endless Zoom calls and embrace a more flexible, productive way of working.

Moghe's writing is engaging and easy to follow, even for those new to the concept of async-first. No fancy words, none of that nonsense. He breaks down complex topics into manageable chunks and provides plenty of real-world examples to illustrate her points. Stuff you can do tomorrow. No, scratch that. Today!

I especially appreciated the book's focus on practical tools and techniques. Moghe doesn't just tell us what to do; he shows us how to do it. There are templates and examples you can refer to if you have a browser at hand. The book provides step-by-step instructions for everything from setting up effective asynchronous processes to creating a culture of clear documentation. I loved the chapters on documentation - there were so many times I went “Hell yeah!”, just reading the suggestions about creating documentation while doing our daily work.

'The Async-First Playbook' is not just for managers and aspiring leader; it's also a valuable resource for individual contributors. I found tips on how to stay productive and engaged when working asynchronously, and how to communicate effectively with our teammates.

If you're looking for a way to improve your remote work experience, 'The Async-First Playbook' is a must-read. It's a practical, inspiring guide that will help you and your team thrive in the new world of work.

[Ramesh Ramalingam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pandemic impacted every life on earth, one way or another. While most were bitter, a few were pleasant. One such thing was the impact on our way of working. When remote working was an exception, the pandemic forced us to make it a new normal. It fueled thought-provoking ideas and tools to support remote working. Among them, I see Sumeet’s The Async First Playbook as an important work. The key thing is that Sumeet does not stop at just preaching; rather, he builds, tries, and shares workable guides and tools for us to create a better remote and async-first environment. Sumeet split the book into five parts and addressed the potential concerns one gets when starting to follow async-first.

Sumeet highlights inclusivity and deep work as the primary benefits of async-first practice. As he mentions, Async first empowers marginal sections of office work (introverts, non-native English speakers, single parents, women, and more) to contribute better by providing the space and time they need. He also advocates how async-first can be a tool to enable deep work in teams.

I believe every book has something for anyone who reads it, so give it a try, irrespective of where or how you work. But this is a must-read for every knowledge worker. It will help you create a better work environment for you and your colleagues.
For detailed review - https://rrameshbtech.github.io/review...

[Rahul Koul · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Async Agile” might seem to be an oxymoron. Only until you read the book!

Agile teams were unequivocally equated to be co-located and working face to face. Yes, distributed delivery has always been there, but co-location was predominantly looked as a critical element for adopting the agile principles.

And then the pandemic happened! Remote collaboration became inevitable, and everyone was forced to look at “Async Agile”.

Sumeet very beautifully places a well thought of and compelling narrative on looking at being “async first” and the benefits it can bring in the current world where knowledge workers don’t have to be face to face always to be most impactful. And all this is not by making theoretical arguments; but by showing a path complete with process guidance, tool set guidance, potential pitfalls / blind spots to look for and other considerations based on practical experiences. Tips for being an effective async-first knowledge worker and arguments for inculcating a ‘writing culture’ are so simple yet so powerful! Excellent tips for leaders managing such teams as well!

Change is the only constant. Agile software development has a new meaning post the pandemic and this book is highly recommended to help make that change!

[Ram G Suri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What sets this book apart is its holistic approach to asynchronous collaboration. Sumeet doesn't just focus on tools and techniques; he delves deep into the mindset shifts, communication strategies, and cultural changes necessary to foster a truly async-first mindset within your team. From setting clear expectations to establishing trust and accountability, Sumeet provides practical advice and real-world examples that resonate with professionals at every level.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its accessibility. Sumeet's writing style is engaging, approachable, and peppered with anecdotes and analogies that make complex concepts easy to understand. Whether you're a seasoned agile practitioner or new to the world of async-first methodologies, you'll find yourself nodding along with each chapter.

'The Async-First Playbook' is not just a book; it's a roadmap for transforming your team's productivity, collaboration, and morale. By embracing async-first principles, you'll unlock new levels of creativity, innovation, and success in your projects. Whether you're leading a remote team, navigating different time zones, or simply seeking a more efficient way to work, this book is a game-changer. Highly recommended!"

[Kanchan Dasgupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a project manager, I think "The Async-First Playbook" is an indispensable guide for those navigating the intricacies of remote work. Skillfully dissecting the challenges arising from the swift adoption of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sumeet underscores the pitfalls of transplanting traditional office practices into a remote setting. This comprehensive roadmap for transitioning to an async-first work culture covers crucial tools, benefits, and practical strategies, making it a vital resource for leaders and managers seeking successful implementation. Beyond being a playbook, Sumeet's warm and accessible writing style transforms it into a roadmap toward a more efficient and sustainable future of work. Whether you're new to remote work or a seasoned remote worker, this book provides essential insights to thrive in the ever-evolving work landscape. Take the leap toward a more productive future—grab your copy of "The Async-First Playbook" today and revolutionize your approach to remote work!

[Arjun Raveendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all might have adapted to the new working norm post covid. However few teams may be struggling with it, few teams don't know how to be more productive with all the meetings happening.

You might have encountered many scenarios which are mentioned in the book. You can relate to what you had done, and how you could have done differently. It also gives you different perspectives of working in different time zone, working hybrid, tools you can use, healthy environment you can create taking everyone in the team (across gender, across personality types) to consideration.

This book give you a "shift left" strategy in communication. It helps you in becoming more inclusive, more productive, more independent and more over being more respectful towards other’s time, and how one can experience “The Flow” and “Deep Work”.

I bet you will start thinking about "d-o-c-u-m-e-n-t-a-t-i-o-n" going forward.

[Luca Grulla · Rating 2 out of 5]

From my perspective, this book provides a comprehensive summary of tools and practices that individual teams can use to work asynchronously.


However, I believe there are two areas where the book falls short:
* Firstly, it offers a shallow analysis of the link between asynchronous work and business outcomes/performance. While the book emphasizes the value for individuals, it doesn't delve deep enough into the value for businesses, apart from the usual "global workforce" and "happy people mean better results".
* Secondly, it fails to connect the dots between multiple teams/departments. Although the practices may be the same, just applied at a larger scale, I feel that there is more to explore on this topic.

It's possible that these two areas were not the main focus of the book, but they are briefly discussed over 300 pages, and I think it's a missed opportunity.

[Diwakar Srinath Azhagesan · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, Sumeet's writing style is rather conversational [with no jargons] which made me feel that I am talking with Sumeet about this subject and not reading a book. The chapters are well structured describing the "Why" and "What" aspects of async-first ways of working; it also gives the "How" aspects through some practical tools and techniques which I could playfully experiment in my Teams. I believe in first-hand experience and I have tried some of this book's suggestions which truly is working well in my Team. For readers who haven't seen Sumeet's YouTube videos, website's articles and tools on Async-first, I suggest you have a look at those, too, because those very well compliments with what you gather from this book. Thank you for writing this book at the right time, Sumeet.

[Shradha Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In fact, I read this book 2 months ago, and before writing this review I was implementing its methodology to my team to see how it shapes collaboration while being asynchronous.
I am writing this review after using the tools mentioned in the book, the cheat codes given to ensure Async works for everyone, the methodology , the thoughts about documentation as a product, the distraction blocking and everything else and I must say they ALL WORK.

Our team is now async first, which has resulted in increased productivity because we eliminated redundant meetings, wrote more, etc.

This is a MUST READ for anyone who is looking to increase remote collaboration and improve productivity within the team while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Definitely one of the best purchases of all time!

[Jojo John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Async-First Playbook" by Sumeet Moghe is the perfect guide for you if you are tired of endless video calls and struggling to collaborate across different time zones. This book focuses on asynchronous communication, where you can chat and share ideas without needing to be online at the same time. It is all about ditching constant meetings and finding a more flexible way to work. Sumeet knows a lot about remote work, gives practical advice on how to make async communication effective. From writing clear documents to using the right tools, he covers everything you need to know. Plus, he talks about the cultural shift needed to make async work for your team. Overall, this book offers a clear roadmap for building a better, more efficient team in today's asynchronous world. I highly recommend it!

[Vaibhav · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Async-First Playbook, is a must read for just about anyone who works in a distributed team. The advice in the book is practical and grounded in the realities that all software teams face, particularly those that work in an offshore model.

What I like about the book, is the reference format in which the author has written it. You don’t need to read it end to end. You can pick practices that your team is following and only read those chapters. There’s also a section that leaders can read, which I think is important if you want to support effective collaboration practices on your team and not give into to the kind of showboating pressures that traditional companies impose on their people.

It’ll be great to see a follow up of this book that focuses on leadership though.

[Rajesh Shankaranarayana · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is one book I would read again and again and practice for effective collaboration and optimize my time, this book would the one. A great book by Sumeet detailing out how in the world we live in with distributed ways of work - we can bring sanity to our work with following a few key practices that could help us balance our lives better. What I found useful (and will continue to) is the approach Sumeet has adopted. Bringing out the challenges we face today (which I could relate to) and then being able to bring together what practices I could adopt (found the practitioner's guide section very helpful) to overcome these challenges. Not to miss out the Leadership lessons that works for each of us in roles we play, adopting async agile. A must-read book in the changing times!!

[Sharath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sumeet has been disseminating his insights and concepts through his website https://www.asyncagile.org/method-stack. I've adopted many of the strategies he's shared since remote work became the standard following the pandemic. His advice has been clearly beneficial, and I'm happy to see he's authored a book on the same subject.

The Async-First Playbook is an essential read for anyone aiming to enhance not just productivity, but also overall team performance. Sumeet has excellently distilled the principles of asynchronous communication, offering practical advice for applying them in your work. This book can serve as a handy reference for those looking to incorporate async-first practices within their teams. I strongly reccommend this book to anyone aiming to 'work smarter, not harder'.

[Manik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 'Async First Playbook' presents a pragmatic guide for navigating the challenges posed by hybrid teams. It offers insightful strategies on how to effectively prioritize tasks through thorough analysis and a thoughtful, 'think-first' approach.
Overall, "Async First Playbook" is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their team's performance in a hybrid work setting. Its practical advice and actionable insights make it a must-read for leaders and team members alike.
Thank you Sumit moghe for this valuable book.

[Mohit Garg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Async-First Playbook is a brilliant write up encompassing the very basic concepts that can make remote working successful. Book has been very well researched too, using research data to stress upon the factors that makes remote work a worthy option. Techniques and Strategies in the book have been so aptly put that they stay with you after you finish reading it up. I would certainly recommend a read for anyone who wants to go towards a remote-first working mode !

[Pradeep K · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unique guide to successful async work

Sumeet has detailed the benefits of async work and goes on and details the steps you can take to succeed at remote work. He details patterns and antipatterns to avoid. His website (https://www.asyncagile.org/starter-kit) gives a starter kit for anyone who wants to implement the practices he details in his book. I am definitely going to start implementing them in my team!

[Arnab B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel its a great read for remote first work culture.
It covers all roles and positions.
It emphasises well on how to maintain work life balance while working from home.
Thank you Sumeet for putting it together so well.

[vinayakamayura · Rating 5 out of 5]

In general i found the books related to process and methodologies are boring but this book is an easy and simple read. With understandable language and relatable examples.

📚 Book is divided in three parts and thirty chapters and each chapter is independently readable.

🕰️ Author takes us on a comprehensive tour, addressing every stage of the development cycle and providing practical advice on adopting an async-first mindset.

🌐 The book advocates for a remote work culture with flexible timings for synchronous tasks. The mantra? Go async first, then strategically plan for synchronous collaboration, setting a new rhythm for productivity.

⏰ Meetings are not go to options for all the queries, send a message and give time for person on other end to comprehend. I think we urge to have a meeting because of our lack of writing effectively and not communicating 100%.

💪 To go Async-First there are few approaches, process, author calls them as super powers.

🔄 The author sheds light on common anti-patterns that silently hinder productivity, urging us to recognise and rectify them.

🙏 What I appreciate the most is the book's user-friendly approach. It not only provides actionable strategies but also warns against potential pitfalls in the async-first transition.