We've Seen the Movie Before: How to Rewrite Your Agile Ending

Presentation given by Renae Craven and Craig Smith at LAST Brisbane in October 2025.

Like watching a predictable film, as agilists we can often see the ending coming from miles away, yet organisations continue playing out the same patterns that lead to familiar disappointing conclusions. Drawing from combined lived experience and agile expertise, this talk explores how recognising these recurring "movie plots" in agile environments can empower teams and organisations to rewrite their endings before it's too late.

By recognising common plotlines and key inflection points in agile projects, participants will learn how to influence the narrative — even when the broader environment isn’t so agile. We’ll offer practical ways to spot turning points, shift behaviours, and adapt your approach depending on your role. Whether you’re the reluctant hero, the underestimated sidekick, or the invisible director, this session will leave you with fresh insight and actionable strategies to help you rewrite your agile ending — before the credits roll - to practice agility even when the world around you isn't so agile, transforming you from a passive audience member into the director of your own agile success story.

1. We've Seen the
Movie Before:
How to Rewrite
Your Agile Ending
Renae Craven
Craig Smith

3. Welcome…
Back to the Future (1985)
© Universal Pictures / Amblin Entertainment

4. We See It,
We Don’t
Always Direct It
Avengers (2012)
© Marvel Studios

5. This Sh*t
is Real
Kenny (2006)
© Thunderbox Films / Madman Entertainment

6. This is Hard…
A League Of Their Own (1992)
© Columbia Pictures

7. What Role Do You Play?
Superman (2025)
© DC Studios / Warner Bros Pictures

8. Hero? Goldfinger (1964)
© Eon Productions / United Artists

9. Reluctant
Hero?
Shrek (2001)
© Dreamworks Animation

10. Sidekick?
Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (1977)
© Lucasfilm / Twentieth Century Fox

11. Underestimated
Sidekick?Wayne’s World (1992)
© Paramount Pictures

12. Director?Steven Spielberg

13. Unknown
Director?Michael Curtiz

14. Extra?Lord of the Rings (Trilogy)
(2001-2003)
© New Line Cinema

15. What is your Role?
What Role are you Actually Playing?
Hero
Sidekick
Director
Extra

16. Can’t Play
the Role?Bowfinger (1999)
© Imagine Eantrtainment / Universal Pictures

17. Recognising the
Plot & Inflection Points

18. State of Agility .
Business Agility Institute / State of Agile

19. A
Story
About
Elf
Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

20. Resistance
Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

21. Elf (2003)
© New Line CinemaResistance

22. Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema
Leadership
Participation
& Support

23. Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema
Leadership
Participation
& Support

24. Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema
Leadership
Participation
& Support

25. Lack of Trust
/ Knowledge
Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

26. Lack of Trust
/ Knowledge
Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

27. Lack of Trust
/ Knowledge
Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

28. Don’t Keep
Replaying the
Mistake
Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

29. Story
Board
Elf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

30. What Does Your
Ending Look LikeElf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

31. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
© Apatpow Productions / DreamWorks Pictures
All Drama &
Bad News?

32. Are Your Measures
BS*?
Moneyball (2011)
© Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures

33. Just Ticking
the Box?
Office Space (1999)
© Judgmental Films / 20th Century Fox

34. Show Me
the Value!Jerry Maguire (1996)
© TriStar Pictures / Sony Pictures

35. What Can You Do
to Change the EndingElf (2003)
© New Line Cinema

36. Change ThingsHidden Figures (2016)
© Fox 2000 Pictures / 20th Century Fox

37. Understand your RoleCatch Me If You Can (2002)
© DreamWorks Pictures

38. Make the
Ending Better
Groundhog Day (1993)
© Columbia Pictures

39. Lead by
Example
Ghandi (1982)
© Goldcrest Films / Columbia Pictures

40. Utilise your
Transferable
Skills
Bumblebee (2018)
© Paramount Pictures

41. It’s Not About
the Role…
Apollo 13 (1995)
© Imagine Entertainment / Universal Pictures

42. Don’t Stop
Learning
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
© Paramount Pictures
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller

44. We've Seen the
Movie Before:
How to Rewrite
Your Agile Ending
Renae Craven
Craig SmithQuestions?