a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

let-us be blunt

TL;DR; Accountability in Scrum only works if people also have the authority to make decisions and remove obstacles; otherwise, roles become meaningless and teams are set up to fail. To achieve real results, ensure your Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and Developers have both responsibility and the power to act. Review your organisation to identify where you may be limiting agency while still expecting accountability.

Published on
1 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/0A8ONYVbWlL
Subscribe

Let’s be blunt:

Those expected to deliver results must have control over what influences their delivery.

In Scrum, the Product Owner is accountable for maximising value , but if they can’t reprioritise the backlog, they’re a backlog secretary.
The Scrum Master is accountable for team effectiveness , but if they can’t challenge organisational dysfunction, they’re a meeting host.
Developers are accountable for the Increment , but if they can’t decide how to build it, they’re just order-takers.

This is why agency matters.
Without it, accountability is performative.
You are setting people up to fail.

If you want real Scrum , not Scrum theatre , you must pair accountability with the agency to remove impediments, challenge dysfunction, and enforce realignment where necessary.

Stop pretending people are accountable when you’ve stripped away their ability to act.

Where in your organisation have you tied people’s hands while still expecting them to carry the weight?

Also published on: LinkedIn
Smart Classifications

Each classification [Concepts, Categories, & Tags] was assigned using AI-powered semantic analysis and scored across relevance, depth, and alignment. Final decisions? Still human. Always traceable. Hover to see how it applies.

Subscribe

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

YearUp.org Logo

YearUp.org

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Akaditi Logo

Akaditi

Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd Logo

Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd

Freadom Logo

Freadom

Workday Logo

Workday

Graham & Brown Logo

Graham & Brown

NIT A/S

Philips Logo

Philips

Boeing Logo

Boeing

Deliotte Logo

Deliotte

Slaughter and May Logo

Slaughter and May

Epic Games Logo

Epic Games

Higher Education Statistics Agency Logo

Higher Education Statistics Agency

Qualco Logo

Qualco

Boxit Document Solutions

Slicedbread Logo

Slicedbread

Teleplan Logo

Teleplan

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Royal Air Force Logo

Royal Air Force

New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo

New Hampshire Supreme Court

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Big Data for Humans Logo

Big Data for Humans

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd. Logo

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

CR2

Deliotte Logo

Deliotte

Microsoft Logo

Microsoft