A Case for Metic Intelligence in Technical and Professional Communication Programs

Abstract

Metis is an underexplored rhetorical counterpart to phronesis that can be described as a flexible, innovative intelligence used in unexpected or unprecedented situations. This article explores metis in relation to techne, praxis, and phronesis, arguing that our programs should strive to cultivate students' metic intelligence through client projects and service-learning experiences. Adapting Agile project management strategies used in software development may offer one means of scaffolding this learning.

Keywords:

• Agile project management
• engaged learning
• metis
• phronesis
• praxis
• Scrum
• techne

Notes

There is some debate in the community as to whether agile is a proper noun or a common noun. Two of the largest professional organizations in the field, Agile Alliance and Scrum Alliance, capitalize Agile as a proper noun that names a set of practices, and I follow that convention in this article. Stuart Eccles (2010) also provides an excellent summary of the Agile versus agile usage debate.

For an excellent set of case studies on both successful and unsuccessful Agile implementations, see Agile Project Management with Scrum (2004) by Scrum creator Ken Schwaber. The cases are based on his extensive consulting work across multiple industries and illustrate both the benefits and complex challenges of implementing Agile strategies.

Software is also available to create digital Kanban, including the popular LeanKit available at http://www.leankit.com. Several iOS apps are also available for personal Kanban including Kanbanfor, which I use for household tasks.

While the summary reports of these classes are primarily anecdotal, I have institutional review board approval through my university to report on data collected from student Kanban folders and reflections during these courses.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rebecca Pope-Ruark

Rebecca Pope-Ruark is an associate professor of English specializing in professional writing and rhetoric at Elon University in North Carolina. Her research interests include effective collaboration and Agile project management practices.