In my journey through the realms of both technical and agile practices, I’ve often found myself reflecting on the true essence of what it means to help others succeed. It’s not just about the methodologies or the frameworks; it’s about the people and the organisations behind them.
One of the key virtues in Agile is charity—the act of helping others without expecting anything in return. This often goes unnoticed, yet it plays a crucial role in the success of teams, products, and organizations. As someone who has witnessed the transformative power of this virtue firsthand, I believe it’s time we shine a spotlight on how charity manifests in Agile environments and why it’s essential to embrace it fully.
I often find myself reflecting on a conversation I had with Ken Schwaber many years ago. He shared a simple yet profound mantra that has stuck with me ever since: “Just enough and no more.” This phrase resonates deeply within the agile community, and I believe it holds the key to understanding how we can optimise our processes and deliver value effectively.
In the fast-paced world of Agile, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing too much. Whether it’s overloading your backlog, over-refining, or over-planning, too much of anything can be a bad thing. One of the key virtues that we embrace in Agile is temperance—the art of taking everything in moderation.
In my journey through organisational change, I’ve come to realise that the key to success lies not just in the strategies we implement, but in how we engage the people within our organisations. Change can be daunting, and if we want to navigate it effectively, we must involve our teams in the narrative.
In the realm of agility, one of the seven virtues that often gets overlooked is chastity. Now, before you raise an eyebrow, let me clarify: in our agile context, chastity is all about taking your time. It’s about resisting the urge to rush into the implementation of agile practices without fully understanding the implications of those changes within your organisation.
Product backlog management is gaining a lot of attention in the Agile community right now—and for good reason. From my experience working with organizations across various industries, one of the most significant areas where I see teams struggle is in managing their product backlogs effectively.
In my journey through the world of Agile and Scrum, I’ve often found myself reflecting on the intricacies of product backlog management. It’s a topic that, while seemingly straightforward, is laden with nuances that can significantly impact the value we derive from our work. Today, I want to share some insights from a recent class I attended that delved into these subtleties and how we can effectively manage our product backlogs.
In today’s fast-paced Agile environments, effective product backlog management is key to ensuring teams stay focused, aligned, and efficient. Scrum.org has recently launched a new Product Backlog Management course, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting addition to their offerings. Having worked with countless teams and seen firsthand how backlog mismanagement can derail progress, this course offers practical, actionable skills that every Scrum team can benefit from.
As I reflect on my journey through the world of Agile, I often find myself thinking about the importance of continuous learning and skill enhancement. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in an evidence-based management class, and I can’t help but share how transformative this experience was for me and how it can be for you too.
In today’s fast-paced business world, managers are expected to not only manage but also lead. This shift can be daunting, especially when there’s little to no training or guidance provided. Most managers are left to figure out how to become leaders on their own. While some exceptional individuals thrive in this environment, many would benefit from a bit of help. That’s where agile leadership training comes into play.
As I reflect on my journey as a Scrum Master, I often find myself returning to the foundational elements that are crucial for any new Scrum team. When a team is just starting out, it’s essential to recognise that their understanding of Scrum, empiricism, and the Scrum values will significantly influence their effectiveness.
Many Scrum Masters step into their role without fully understanding what it entails. Often, the title of Scrum Master is simply handed to them by their organization, and the expectations within the organization can be quite different from the true accountability of the role within the framework of Scrum.
As a Product Owner, I often find myself reflecting on the immense responsibility that comes with the role. It’s not just about managing a backlog or prioritising tasks; it’s about being accountable for spending the money wisely. This accountability is a cornerstone of effective product ownership, and it’s something I take very seriously.
When most people hear the term “Product Owner,” they typically think about managing a product backlog and making sure the team works through it. While this is part of the job, it’s a very small piece of the puzzle. In reality, the Product Owner role is far more significant, with broader responsibilities and accountability. Let’s dive deeper into what it means to be a true Product Owner in an Agile environment, and why many who take on the role often find themselves surprised by its complexity.
In the ever-evolving world of Agile, selecting the right coach for your team or organization can make a profound difference in achieving success. With so many frameworks and approaches available, it’s crucial to find someone who brings more than just one method to the table. But how do you know if the Agile coach you’re considering is the right fit? Let’s dive into some key factors you should consider, especially when evaluating their approach and versatility.
Aspiring agile leaders often face significant challenges when trying to shift organizational culture. They encounter barriers to having the necessary deep conversations and find themselves short on time and space to implement the changes they envision. In today’s fast-paced environments, making that leap to true agile leadership can feel daunting. That’s where immersive learning experiences, like the PAL-E (Professional Agile Leadership Essentials) class, come in to play. These courses create room for both reflection and action, driving real, sustainable change within organizations.
Finding the right Agile coach can make or break your organization’s journey toward greater agility. While the Agile landscape is filled with talented coaches, not all will suit your organization’s unique needs. Whether you’re a small startup looking to scale or a large enterprise seeking to enhance its agility, finding the right coach is essential.
In today’s fast-paced world, learning and development have to adapt to the complexity and speed at which things are changing, especially in the realms of Scrum, Kanban, and Agile practices. Traditional training methods, while useful, often fall short of equipping participants with the skills and insights needed to drive real, lasting change in their organizations. This is where immersive learning comes in.
When it comes to hiring an Agile coach, there are a few key things to consider. It’s not just about finding someone who can coach individuals or teams. The role of an Agile coach is far more comprehensive than that. You need someone who can teach, mentor, and inspire people in your organization to greatness, helping them embrace Agile principles and adopt the practices that drive success.
If you’re an organization that invests heavily in training—especially if you’re supporting a large number of people trying to step into the Scrum Master role—then immersive learning should be at the top of your list. It’s an investment that can dramatically increase your team’s effectiveness. Unlike traditional training, where learning can quickly fade, immersive learning helps people internalize the knowledge and put it into practice immediately.
Hiring the right Agile coach is one of the most critical decisions an organization can make on its journey to becoming more Agile. It’s not just about their ability to understand Scrum or Agile frameworks—it’s about their ability to deeply engage with both the technical teams and leadership. They must gain credibility in both arenas to effectively drive the transformation.
In the world of Scrum, being a Scrum Master is about more than just following the process or scheduling meetings. It’s about truly understanding the role, maximizing value, and driving the effectiveness of the teams you work with. Yet, too often, we encounter Scrum Masters who, due to a lack of experience or depth of knowledge, unintentionally inhibit the potential of their teams.
Hiring an Agile coach can be a game changer for organizations striving to embrace agility. However, finding the right fit for your organization isn’t just about credentials and buzzwords. One of the most critical factors when selecting an Agile coach is their ability to engage and gain credibility with teams and leadership. Let’s dive into why this is so essential and how you can make the best hiring decision.
In my journey as a Scrum Master, I’ve often found that the most profound learning experiences come not just from theory, but from the practical application of that theory in real-world scenarios. This is precisely what the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) immersive learning experience offers—a unique opportunity for double-loop learning.
Becoming an Agile coach isn’t just about knowing Agile practices. It’s about understanding the context in which your team operates and having the experience to back it up. In this post, I’ll explore why having domain knowledge is essential for Agile coaches, how it impacts your effectiveness, and what you can do to deepen your understanding. Let’s dive into it! 🚀
When it comes to migrating projects within Azure DevOps, I often find that the process can seem daunting, especially for those who are new to the platform. However, I’m here to share my personal experience and guide you through a straightforward migration using the Azure DevOps migration tools. I’ll also address some common exceptions and issues that may arise along the way. So, let’s dive in!
Being an effective Agile coach requires more than just mastering the frameworks and processes of Agile. It’s about continual growth, pushing your boundaries, and being part of a community that challenges you, not one that simply agrees with everything you say. If you’re aiming to elevate your coaching game, the key lies in surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives that question, refine, and enhance your approach.
When it comes to successfully navigating the complexities of Agile and Scrum, there are a few key principles that I’ve found to be absolutely essential. Drawing from my experiences, I want to share three critical strategies that can help your team not only complete work within a Sprint but also enhance overall productivity and satisfaction.
As I reflect on my journey as an Agile coach, I often find myself returning to a fundamental truth: knowledge is the cornerstone of effective coaching. It’s not just about knowing the processes, practices, and tools; it’s about understanding the underlying principles that drive them. This understanding is what enables us to guide teams effectively, helping them navigate the complexities of Agile methodologies.
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.
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.
CR2
NIT A/S
CR2