SE Radio 598: Jonathan Crossland on the AMMERSE Framework

Framework Intro

Jonathan Crossland introduces the AMMERSE framework, a set of seven core values designed to address collaboration challenges in software development. He explains that these values emerged from his experiences in the field, aiming to bridge the gap between different stakeholders by providing a common language and understanding. Crossland emphasizes the importance of aligning personal and organizational values to foster effective collaboration, stating that "values are so fundamental, but I think it's flawed because the language is difficult, the topic is tough, it's very complicated, and nobody really understands the pragmatism." 1 2 3.

   

Value Categories

The AMMERSE framework categorizes values into seven distinct areas, derived through a process of elimination and abstraction. Crossland discusses how personal and organizational values often differ, leading to confusion and misalignment. He notes that the framework's values can describe the Agile Manifesto, as they focus on underlying principles rather than surface-level practices. "I think immerse is underneath immerse those values, the seven values. You can use them to describe the agile manifesto," he explains, highlighting the framework's foundational nature 4 1 5.

   

Reach & Solve

Reachability and solvability form the first level of the AMMERSE framework, emphasizing the importance of setting achievable goals. Crossland describes reachability as encompassing various values related to collaboration and goal attainment, such as budget management and skill utilization. "The reason why reachability is a value is because it easily encompasses being reachable, reaching a goal in budget, reaching a goal in time," he states, underscoring its role in organizational maturity 6 7.