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

Remote software development work is the "new normal" and that won't change anytime soon. But conventional distributed agile software development attempts to be too "synchronous" to support today's remote teams. Too many meetings, ceremonies, and rituals quickly become unsustainable when teams are spread across multiple time zones. The result: burnout, constant interruptions, poor work-life balance, greater frustration, and workplaces where few people can truly thrive. In The Async-First Playbook, Thoughtworks principal project manager Sumeet Gayathri Moghe addresses the problem head-on, revamping agile to embed remote-native, asynchronous work practices that fit the realities of remote development.

Drawing on extensive personal experience leading distributed teams, Moghe addresses both the "nuts and bolts" of specific practices and crucial "softer" elements, such as culture, mindset, and leadership. Short, practical chapters revisit traditional agile rituals such as sprints and pair programming, adapting them for the asynchronous, remote environments you actually operate in.

The author doesn't just show how team leaders can create an asynchronous environment and culture for success, he demonstrates how to sustain these, overcome obstacles, and provide more meaningful work and a better experience for everybody who can contribute to your success.