Chicken?

In daily stand ups (daily scrum meetings), there is an often used analogy about chickens and pigs. When it comes to breakfast, chickens (who provide the eggs) are interested, but pigs (who provide themselves) are committed. The analogy goes that the same is true for team members and those outside the team. Therefore, when it comes to the daily stand up, pigs should speak and chickens shouldn't because the pigs are the ones who have the most riding on the success of the team (chickens have other teams).

While I understand the point and appreciate the analogy, I would avoid the practice (Which many people seem to do) of calling participants pigs and chickens. Both can be taken as somewhat derogatory terms. The quote from Back to the Future comes to mind:

"What’s the matter Mcfly? Chicken?"
"NOBODY, calls me chicken!"

One problem is that the term pig isn't often used. You don't say pigs shouldn't do this or that. You do say that for chickens. So there isn't reciprocity in the usage (i.e., if both were being maligned, it might not be as bad).

Another issue is that invariably, not everyone has heard the analogy. So to call someone a chicken without them understanding why makes it even worse.

I'd rather use terms like team member and extended team member. Both have a stake in the outcome. Both are usually necessary for success.

The goal with the analogy is to encourage behavior where team members are allowed to act as a team (without complicating things by others interrupting or even worse dominating or stifling). There's also something to be said for maintaining the flow of the meeting.

But you'd like the extended team members to feel vested in the efforts of the team. To help it succeed. It is a good thing if they are interested enough to attend. It is a great opportunity for them to get a feel for how things are going.

So there's a balance. The team goes through their three questions. The extended team observes and can answer simple questions from the team just like team members. In either case, if it gets to a discussion, it should be put in the parking lot and talked about afterwards (so that those not interested aren't forced to participate). After the meeting is done, other discussions can occur to go into more details on particular topics.