Who is Jacques de Vos?
Jacques was proposed as he was a speaker at Agile Africa 2015.
What is something people usually don’t know about you but has influenced you in who you are?
I’ve been reading philosophy from an early age, which left me with a heathy dose of scepticism of knowledge. We know so little.
Also, traveling quite a bit gave me exposure to different ways of life - comes in pretty handy with the coaching now.
As a developer, I discovered the magic of code when I was about 15, quickly realising that software is limitless and started finding useful applications - my first app was to manage the school cricket stats. This started me on the journey to learn how to build software products that change the world, and Agile has been a big part of this journey.
What would have become of you, if you were not doing the job you do today?
A steel engineer - our family curse.
What is your biggest challenge and why is it a good thing for you?
To be more pro-active and energised with new opportunities; I’m better at finishing than starting now. E.g. my sales skills can improve (the benefit is obvious).
Also, keeping better contact with friends and old colleagues is a challenge - I realise it would not take too much time and community is really important.
What drives you?
The power of ideas, and how shared understanding can change our world.
“Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” - Victor Hugo
I want to understand things at a deep level.
I want everyone to find their place in the sun and be happy - whatever that means to them.
What is your biggest achievement?
Building my house in Tofo Mozambique .
Did everything wrong: business with friends, borrowed money from family, invested in something I know nothing about, in a remote place with a different language and hardly any infrastructure, and more than I could afford as a 25 year old. Basically chased a pipe dream.
But a few years of “vasbyt” left me with happy friends, family and a beautiful house in paradise and life lessons. It was a epic journey of ups and downs.
Lesson: the best things are the things we would not do if we knew what it entailed - bias action, make mistakes, experience life.
Is there a piece of music that has a special meaning for you?
Nothing specific. A few alternative rock bands immediately bring back memories of good friendships and good times.
The Interstellar soundtrack (Hans Zimmer) was quite inspiring lately, didn’t know organ music can be so epic.
What is the last book you have read?
The Nature of Software Development, Ron Jeffries.
This nice, simple read that confirmed to me that the nature of software can and should be understood by businesses people that own software assets - I believe collaborating on software decisions is completely neglected in our industry.
What question do you think we should also ask and what is the answer?
Q: If Agile is the buzz word now, what comes after it - the next big thing? A: Agile is evolving and morphing into anything that works for orgs that do product development or other difficult stuff, so the learnings are here to stay until strong-AI or a zombie apocalypse. Although Agile practices will actually help us find a quick solution to deal with zombies at minimum cost (in lives, no big bang).
Whom do you think we should ask next in South Africa?
Rouan Wilsenach seems to be a rising star in Agile SA. Doing lots of interesting talks in all kinds of areas in Agile and software development, and engaging with the community. I think we can expect some good writing to come from him in the future as well (in addition to good code).
Whom do you think we should ask next, not in South Africa?
John Blakey and Ian Day - for Challenging Coaching.
How would you define your relation to the South African Agile community?
I was one of the earlier practitioners, but only recently became an active participant, a good citizen, in the community. I’m listening, talking, encouraging, challenging other people now, and making lots of friends. The feeling of being part of a small community of Agile coaches is tactile.
My niche in the community is being a generalist over the whole software development lifecycle, with a strong focus on product and software design as well as tech entrepreneurship.
Johannesburg, September 2015
I’m not actively participating in the community anymore and do very little coaching, although still a part of it.
Johannesburg, November 2020
How to connect with Jacques
Twitter: @jacdevos
Linked In: https://za.linkedin.com/in/jacdevos