Join Brian and Scott Dunn as they journey into the heart of handling conflicts and challenges within small teams for effective teamwork in the latest episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Scott Dunn sits down with Brian to delve into handling conflicts and challenges within small teams. From the impact of hierarchies on team dynamics to the nuances of technical leadership, listen in as Brian and Scott tackle the intricacies of managing conflicts to navigate the delicate balance between individual excellence and fostering a collaborative team culture. Listen in as Listen Now to Discover: [01:54] - Today, Brian is sitting down with Scott Dunn to discuss the topic of handling conflicts and challenges in small teams, particularly regarding hierarchies and experience levels. [03:17] - Scott shares his experience with issues arising from unofficial authorities, highlighting challenges with project managers and leads. [04:03] - Scott talks about the transition to a democratic process and shares a humorous anecdote about a unique meeting disruption and the resolution. [07:27] - Brian discusses the challenge of individuals feeling a loss of authority in the shift to self-organization and emphasizes the need for communication to address their concerns. [08:27] - Brian categorizes leads into obstructive and unintentionally hindering types. [09:27] - Scott discusses the need for aligning expectations with Agile principles. [11:34] - Brian discusses the challenges faced by Scrum Masters and Agile coaches in identifying and addressing team dynamics, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, and understanding to resolve misunderstandings. [12:07] - Scott shares an example of a scrum master effectively addressing a bottleneck issue with a lead. [13:13] - Brian highlights a leadership misunderstanding where senior individuals are consistently assigned challenging tasks and the unintended consequences of pigeonholing experts into specific roles. [14:35] - Scott shares experiences of individuals falling into roles they didn't initially choose, and the negative impact on job satisfaction. [15:32] - The importance of promoting teamwork, continuous learning, and adaptability over being the sole expert. [16:11] - Brian discusses the issue of knowledge silos and suggests a proactive approach within the team to mitigate risks and ensure knowledge sharing. [16:32] - The importance of managing resource fungibility and avoiding bottlenecks. [17:40] - Brian debunks the idea of job security for those deliberately hoarding knowledge and emphasizes the importance of staying marketable and adaptable. [18:52] - Scott highlights the consequences of being difficult to work with and shares the secret for long-term professional success. [20:00] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and their Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® course. Plus, automatic enrollment in Mike Cohn’s Agile Mentors Community, including twelve months of ongoing coaching and support. To learn more, check out the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [20:42] - How different roles, especially leads, should interact in a scrum team where equality is emphasized. [21:34] - The importance of a lead developer having a mindset focused on helping others succeed and empowering the team. [22:31] - Scott defines true technical leadership and the importance of empowering team members to scale workload and creating a culture of learning within the team. [23:59] - The impact of senior team members as "pollinators of learning." [24:56] - Brian defines a lead's role using sports analogies to illustrate leadership beyond individual excellence. [26:48] - Brian shares the ‘see one, do one, teach one model for successful leadership and teams. [27:57] - Leveling up expectations and helping and asking for help as a lead. [32:32] - Setting the example by what you do, not by what you say. [33:17] - The importance of leads in establishing culture. [34:53] - Brian shares a big thank you to Scott for joining him on the show. [35:29] - We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. [36:10] - If you’d like to continue this discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community. You get a year of free membership into that site by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software, such as CSM or CSPO. We also have Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®, where we get right into the good stuff and have some deep discussions. We'd love to see you in one of Mountain Goat Software's classes, you can find the schedule here. References and resources mentioned in the show: Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.  Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience coaching and training companies like NASA, EMC/Dell Technologies, Yahoo!, Technicolor, and eBay to transition to an agile approach using Scrum.

Join Brian and Emilia Breton as they explore AI and its practical applications in Agile, from enhancing productivity to coaching. Don't miss their insights on AI tools shaping the future of Agile. Overview Today, Brian sits down with Emilia Breton to unravel the dynamic intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Agile. Brian and Emilia share their experiences and experiments with AI tools, revealing how they leverage these technologies to enhance productivity and decision-making and amplify human capabilities. Listen in to learn more about the evolving landscape where AI and Agile converge to shape the future of work. Listen Now to Discover: [01:25] - Brian welcomes Emilia Breton to the show to talk about the intersection of AI and Agile, focusing on using AI to enhance human connections. [03:04] - Emilia shares that it's about using AI to accentuate our humanity and create space for us to connect, observe, and inspire. [05:15] - Emilia discusses the questions about copyright for AI-produced content, such as code and why It's important to be able to trace where AI-derived information comes from. [06:02] - Brian reflects on the rapid evolution of mass-consumable AI and its transformative impact over the past year. [06:39] - Emilia underscores the importance of visibility in AI outputs, and the need to cross-verify AI-generated information with human expertise. [08:41] - Brian introduces the concept of hallucination in AI, emphasizing that AI can't think or reason, and it may generate false information to please users. [10:29] - The importance and irreplaceable qualities of human competence. [11:30] - How tools like Lucidspark can help with ideas during product brainstorms or retrospectives. Otter.ai and Spinach.io can automate tasks like taking meeting notes and updating Jira, saving time for more important work. [14:16] - Brian introduces Rewind.ai, a tool that records computer activities for later recall, explaining its potential benefits and privacy considerations. [16:10] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and today’s episode is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's Certified ScrumMaster Class a two-day class covering the fundamental principles of scrum as well as detail about the different roles, meetings, and artifacts. For more information click on the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [17:01] - Emilia explores the use of AI to spark inspiration, and shares generative AI art programs DALL·E or Midjourney. [20:06] - Emilia discusses using Grammarly and AI as a partner in content creation, to iterate prompts to achieve the desired tone and style. [21:10] - Discussing Google's new multimodal Gemini models, which can translate speech, text, video, and images. [22:07] - NotebookLM is designed for researchers to organize and refer to research papers and articles. Brian shares his experience with this tool. [22:48] - The speakers discuss using AI for data analysis to interpret large datasets, capture notes, brainstorm ideas, and facilitate retrospectives to enhance Agile practices. [25:08] - Brian and Emilia discuss how AI can be a valuable tool in coaching and can assist in facilitating sessions. [28:08] - What lies ahead with AI? [29:24] - Brian sends a huge thank you to Emilia for being on the show. If you found this episode useful, please share this episode with others. We’d love your feedback and suggestions for future episodes. You can email us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [30:09] - If this topic was impactful to you and you want to continue the discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community where we have a topic discussion for each podcast episode. You can get a free year-long membership in the community just by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software. References and resources mentioned in the show: Emilia Breton Lucidspark Otter.ai Spinach.io Rewind.ai  DALL·E Midjourney NotebookLM Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Emilia Breton is an Agile wizard with over two decades of experience, who effortlessly navigates the realms of startups and global corporations. Specializing in guiding both scrappy ventures and colossal entities, she brings innovative approaches to software development and team building. Emilia's commitment to injecting playfulness ensures a dynamic and creative touch to Agile practices, making her the go-to coach for those ready to elevate their software development game.

Ever wondered how visuals can transform your role as a product owner? Join Brian as he sits down with visual storyteller Stuart Young to unravel the power of visualization in product ownership. Join them on a journey to discover the art and science behind being a successful product owner. Overview Ever wondered how to elevate your product ownership game? In this episode, we delve into the world of visual storytelling with Stuart Young. Join Brian and Stuart as they discuss the diverse tools, such as story mapping and the product disposition canvas, that can bring your product visions to life. From storytelling techniques to the neurodiversity lens, we explore the art and science of communication that transcends traditional boundaries. Listen in to uncover the impactful ways visuals can shape your product strategy. Learn how being more visual can sharpen your skills, foster collaboration, and create a more inclusive and successful product development journey. Listen Now to Discover: [00:23] - Today welcomes Stuart Young, a Certified Scrum Trainer and visual storyteller to discuss storytelling through the product lens and more. [03:32] - Stuart discusses drawing large-scale pictures at conferences and recommends Visual Meetings and Visual Leaders by David Sibbit. [06:54] - Stuart emphasizes the impact of visual storytelling on individuals, highlighting the universal language and information retention through visuals. [08:46] - The benefits of visual representation in capturing the flow of ideas and aiding memory. [10:26] - The importance of varied methods for engaging different learning styles. [11:41] - Stuart discusses the value of visualization tools such as roadmaps, post-it notes, and story mapping to provide clarity and a clear narrative. [12:14] - The importance of blending Stuart references Pixar and Ed Catmull's book Creativity, Inc., discussing the importance of blending exciting elements, like storyboarding, in motivating teams and creating a compelling narrative. [15:13] - Stuart emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling, even if it doesn't always have a happy ending, he references TEDxHogeschoolUtrecht - Steve Denning - “Leadership Storytelling" for further inspiration. [15:25] - Brian recommends Simon Sinek's TED talk on "Start With Why" as an example of effective storytelling despite not being visually polished. [16:09] - Stuart praises Henrik Kniberg's impactful video on product ownership, acknowledging the simplicity of the drawings but highlighting the potency of storytelling. He recommends the Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rhodes for those interested in delving further into storytelling. [17:08] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and their Certified Scrum Training Classes. For more information, click on the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [18:38] - Stuart highlights the significance of visual elements in crafting compelling visions and underscores the value of utilizing available templates, from sources like the Gamestorming book. [20:06] - Stuart discusses the role of visualization in making the intangible tangible, particularly in the tech space. [21:50] - Brian emphasizes the imprecision of words. He also discusses the value of showing rather than just telling, especially in product requirements, to enhance understanding and avoid delays caused by miscommunications. [23:34] - Stuart reflects on how visual communication can enhance inclusivity. He shares, “For people with reading and writing difficulties, pictures and symbols are better. The worst, the most abstract form, of course, is the word.” [25:22] - The role of a visual storyteller as a "human cursor" connecting diverse conceptual thinkers. Stuart recounts an illustration experience, emphasizing the challenge of visualizing details without clear specifications and underscoring the mantra of "process over art" in product ownership. [28:06] - Stuart underscores the product owner's role in leveraging the unique skills of team members to converge on a shared understanding of what "good" looks like. [29:19] - Brian references the episode of the show they did on Navigating Neurodiversity and the importance of understanding and accommodating different communication styles within a team. He highlights the need for product owners to be aware of the preferences of their team members and adjust communication methods accordingly. [30:54] - Stuart introduces the product disposition canvas and shares a personal revelation. [32:54] - Brian acknowledges the potential superpowers that come with neurodiversity, sharing his own experience of a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis and the benefits of leveraging the unique qualities each team member brings to a team. [33:36] - Stuart reflects on the importance of recognizing individual strengths and blind spots, emphasizing that everyone has a valuable contribution. [34:20] - Stuart encourages recognizing individual strengths for collective success. [35:23] - Listeners can connect with Stuart on LinkedIn and at Agile Nuggets | Agile Tips [37:38] - Please share this episode with others if you found it useful. Send feedback and suggestions for future episodes to podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [38:21] - If this topic was impactful to you and you want to continue the discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community where we have a topic discussion for each podcast episode. You can get a free year-long membership in the community just by taking any class with Mountain Goat Software. References and resources mentioned in the show: Stuart Young on LinkedIn Agile Nuggets | Agile Tips | Cprime Learning Scrum in Under 10 Minutes #76: Navigating Neurodiversity for High-Performing Teams with Susan Fitzell David Sibbet Visual Meetings by David Sibbet Visual Leaders by David Sibbet Creativity, Inc. Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde TEDxHogeschoolUtrecht - Steve Denning - “Leadership Storytelling" Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action | TED Talk Agile Product Ownership in a Nutshell by Henrik Kniberg Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Stuart Young, a Certified Scrum Trainer and Visual Storyteller, merges Agile methodologies and design thinking to empower individuals and teams. As a thought leader, he champions Visual Storytelling for engaging stakeholders, addressing customer needs, and expediting learning. Through workshops, Stuart encourages teams to embrace visual methodologies to achieve business success.

Are you part of a struggling Agile team? Join Mike Cohn and Brian Milner in this episode as they uncover the primary signs of a team in distress. Listen in as they share the common causes of underperforming teams, and what to do to boost morale, enhance collaboration, and transform your Agile team from struggling to thriving! Overview What is the primary sign of a struggling Agile team? It's when the energy in the room feels like a deflated balloon, and laughter is a distant memory. In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner and Mike Cohn of Mountain Goat Software help listeners identify the signs of a struggling Agile team and the common culprits. Listen in as they unveil the key principles of cultivating a positive work environment and the vital importance of addressing CYA behavior. Plus, they share their top-notch tips on boosting team morale and enhancing collaboration, all while preventing unfinished projects and ensuring consistent delivery. Tune in to transform your Agile team from struggling to thriving! Listen Now to Discover: [01:23] - Brian welcomes back Mike Cohn to the show to discuss how to identify the signs that your team is struggling and what to do about it. [01:54] - Common causes of unfinished work. [04:45] - Do developers use Scrum as an excuse to be lazy? No—that’s rare but can be easily corrected. [07:36] - How to manage underperforming teams. [09:04] - Teams that lack excitement and laughter may be struggling. Work should be fun and enjoyable. How to create a positive work environment. [10:32] - How to break the habit of rolling unfinished work forward. [12:44] - The power of small wins to improve job satisfaction. [14:12] - How to boost morale and deliver small wins that create a sense of accomplishment. [14:30] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and their Certified Scrum Training Classes. Whether you want to be a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or even take an advanced certification, all courses are designed to give you the skills that agile teams and organizations value so you’ll stand out in the market. For more information click on the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [15:35] - What CYA is really telling you about your team. [16:59] - The role of managers in creating an environment of openness and collaboration [19:03] - How individualistic behavior—working in isolation, not collaborating—hinders teamwork. [21:08] - Introducing Swarming—a horrible way to work, you’ll get less done—but a great drill to help teams discover new ways to collaborate. [27:54] - Thank you to Mike Cohn for joining us on the show. [28:18] - Please share this episode with others if you found it useful. Send feedback and suggestions for future episodes to podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [27:54] - If this topic was impactful to you and you want to continue the discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community, where we have a topic discussion for each podcast episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: #70: The Role of a Leader in Agile with Mike Cohn #39: The Art of Writing User Stories with Mike Cohn Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Mike Cohn, CEO of Mountain Goat Software, is a passionate advocate for agile methodologies. Co-founder of Agile Alliance and Scrum Alliance, he thrives on helping companies succeed with Agile and witnessing its transformative impact on individuals' careers. Mike resides in Northern Idaho with his family, two Havanese dogs, and an impressive hot sauce collection.

Join Brian and his guest Lance Dacy as they dive into the trends and challenges awaiting the Agile community in 2024 and the importance of adapting Agile principles to the hyper-competitive world of product development. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Lance Dacy to take a deep dive into the anticipated trends and challenges awaiting the Agile community in 2024. The duo explores the ongoing debate between remote and in-person work, the imperative need for innovation in leadership and management, and the intricacies of forward-thinking strategies as we work toward building organizations tailored for the future. Join Brian and Lance as they navigate the complex intersection of Agile principles, organizational leadership, and the ever-evolving landscape of the business world in 2024. Listen Now to Discover: [01:17] - Brian Milner has Lance Dacy on the show today for the traditional discussion of looking ahead at trends and upcoming developments in the Agile and Scrum space for 2024. [02:10] - Remote vs. in-person work—opening the discussion with this hot-button topic and the evolving debate. [03:31] - Lance offers his insights on organizations' adaptive strategies, what we learned during the pandemic, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of remote work. [05:58] - The loss of collaboration and learning when in a remote environment. [07:22] - The hybrid work solution. [07:36] - Brian shares a study favoring in-office productivity. [09:50] - Lance shares his personal work-at-home challenges and the importance of aligning work environments with individual personalities and preferences. [11:32] - The importance of accommodating individual preferences and working styles, and the need for organizations to match their environments to employees rather than requiring employees to adapt. [12:58] - The challenges faced by managers and leaders in making decisions about remote work, and the importance of flexibility in work hours. [15:20] - Brian raises concern about layoffs in the Agile area during tough economic times, questioning if it's the right strategy for long-term success. [16:23] - Lance emphasizes the need for understanding Agile rather than blindly applying it, suggesting the Agile industry may be bloated and encouraging a focus on culture and effective coaching. [17:23] - Mountain Goat Software, is the sponsor for this podcast. Whether you’re looking to get Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) training or want to take an Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (ACSM) class, click here to see what we have to offer. [19:33] - Leadership and management innovation—Brian and Lance discuss the need for organizations to prioritize human-centric management AND leadership innovation, citing Gary Hamel's concept of building organizations fit for the future. [23:25] - Lance discusses the devaluation of the human element in organizations. [24:31] - Brian and Lance share their insight into the devaluation of developers, and the need for discussion on the trajectory of Agile in the face of such challenges. [25:55] - Lance highlights the need to educate leaders and managers on the criticality of Agile budgeting alongside project management to align expectations. [27:40] - Lance addresses the challenge in achieving true Agility, and why coaches offer such a long-term ROI. [28:10] - The importance of educating leaders on the value of coaching, psychological safety, and the need for a neutral perspective in fostering organizational improvement. [29:15] - Brian predicts a continued emphasis on cost-cutting in 2024 due to economic uncertainty. [29:57] - Brian expresses his concern about the long-term negative impact of eliminating coaching roles. [31:34] - Lance anticipates a cultural shift that might make it difficult for companies to attract talent if they don’t embrace more human-focused values that empower individuals. [32:59] - Lance urges Agile coaches to adapt to a changing paradigm and discusses the challenge for leaders and managers to shed bureaucratic structures and implement an effective strategy for embracing these principles. [34:17] - Brian urges a reevaluation of Agile's focus, emphasizing transparency and adaptability over rigid structures and roles. [34:48] - Brian stresses Agile's strength in handling unexpected challenges and calls on Agilists to emphasize the fundamental principles to demonstrate Agile's value effectively. [35:40] - The need for new thought leaders in leadership, management, and organizational design to guide Agile practitioners in effectively leveraging data and scaling Agile practices. [36:30] - The importance of evolving beyond rigid practices to embrace Agile's adaptability. Lance uses the analogy of professional sports to illustrate the importance of adaptability, discipline, and rigor in responding to dynamic situations. [38:03] - Not doom and gloom but a chance for growth and adaptation—Brian expresses optimism and excitement for the upcoming year, seeing it as an opportunity for renewed focus and bringing value to organizations in the evolving world of product development. [40:20] - Brian extends his thanks to Lance Dacy for being on the show. And don’t forget to share your thoughts and ideas on upcoming trends in the Agile Mentors Community. [41:09] - Please send feedback and ideas for upcoming shows to podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. And don’t forget to share and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [41:14] - Happy New Year to everyone, Brian expresses excitement for the journey ahead in 2024, meeting more listeners at in-person events, and sharing more insights on future episodes of the Agile Mentors Podcast. References and resources mentioned in the show: #63: The Interplay Between Data Science and Agile with Lance Dacy #30: How to Get the Best Out of the New Year with Lance Dacy #76: Navigating Neurodiversity for High-Performing Teams with Susan Fitzell Humanocracy Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® #4: The Developer Role in Scrum with Sherman Gomberg DFW Scrum (Dallas, TX) | Meetup Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.  Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant's heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away.

Embark on a captivating journey through the Agile Mentors Podcast in 2023 with Brian Milner. Explore a spectrum of Agile topics, from Scrum Master challenges to leadership insights. Join Brian for insightful summaries, memorable moments, and a walk through the rich tapestry of Agile wisdom on the show. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian embarks on a retrospective journey through the standout moments of the podcast in 2023. Explore carefully curated episodes, offering solutions to the common challenges and then delving into the world of Agile beyond software development. Listen in as Brian shares insightful summaries featuring memorable moments and a diverse landscape of Agile wisdom shared by his esteemed guests. Categorized into topics like Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Developers, Agile’s use beyond software, general career advice, and leadership and coaching, this retrospective is a treasure trove of practical advice, actionable insights, and real-world experiences. Tune in for an inspiring tour through the rich tapestry of the Agile Mentors Podcast 2023 episodes. Listen Now to Discover: [01:16] - Brian introduces the episode and invites listeners to join him in a retrospective of the year's episodes, highlighting ones that may have been missed or are hidden gems worth revisiting, which he will group by listener preferences and areas of interest. [02:39] - For Scrum Masters: Brian begins discussing the first episodes tailored for Scrum Masters, kicking things off with #47, "Exploring Lean Thinking and Agile Development," featuring guest Bob Payne, who shares insights into lean thinking, a foundational principle in agile development. Brian recommends this episode for Scrum Masters aiming to enhance their understanding of Agile's fundamentals. [03:34] - Episode #52, "The Birth of Agile: How 17 Adventurous Techies Changed the World," features Agile icon Mr. Jim Highsmith, one of the authors of the Agile Manifesto. Jim provides a glimpse into the past and offers insights into the future of Agile. [04:06] - Episode #59, "Revising the Scrum Guide," features Don McGreal, who played a key role in the guide's revision, shedding light on the thinking behind the revisions. [05:31] - In Episode #62, "Effective Sprint Goals," Maarten Dalmijn delves into effective crafting techniques and the finer details of achieving success with Sprint Goals. [06:12] - In Episode #69, "Should Scrum Masters Be Technical with Allison Pollard," Allison and Brian explore the question of whether Scrum Masters should possess technical skills. If you grapple with how technical a Scrum Master should be, this episode provides valuable insights and perspectives. [06:51] - In Episode #39, Mike Cohn, an authority on user stories, shares valuable insights into the art of crafting effective user stories. [07:15] - In Episode #65 with Randy Hale titled "Unlocking Lean Portfolio Management," Brian and Randy explore the concept of moving beyond a single-team focus as a product owner, delving into the realm of lean portfolio management building upon insights shared by Bob in episode #47. [07:50] - For Product Owners: Must listen bonus from last year, Episode #22, with Roman Pichler, who shares his insights on "How to Create Helpful Product Roadmaps," addressing challenges commonly faced by product owners in dealing with the nuanced aspects of their role. The episode covers strategies to avoid pitfalls, especially the dangers of rigidly locking into scope and schedule timelines. [08:54] - For Developers: Episode #33, "Mob Programming with Woody Zuill," introduces developers to the transformative practice of mob programming. Woody Zuill, a pioneer in this way of working, shares insights and a practical and thoughtful approach that makes it worth exploring. [10:00] - In Episode #48, Brian hosts a unique episode featuring the renowned Lisa Crispin and Janet Gregory, experts in Agile testing, in a show called "Holistic Agile Testing." This episode is particularly recommended for developers specializing in testing or involved in testing within a Scrum team. [11:00] - In Episode #54, "Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science," Brian and Lance Dacy explore the intersection of Agile methodologies and data science. The popularity of this episode prompted a sequel, Episode #63, on the fusion of Agile and data science. [11:58] - In the final developer-focused episode, Carlos Nunez joins Brian to delve into the world of DevOps. Carlos, a speaker at Agile 2023, shares insights on the significance of DevOps in today's Agile landscape, emphasizing DevOps as a means of empowerment rather than gatekeeping. [12:38] - Agile Outside of Software: Episode #32 with Cort Sharp focuses on Scrum in High School Sports—specifically high school swimming. Cort shares his experience applying Scrum principles to create practice schedules and routines for the swim team he coaches, providing valuable insights for those interested in using Agile beyond the software realm. [13:24] - In #38: "Using Agile for Social and Societal Transformation with Kubair Shirazee," Kubair walks listeners through how his nonprofit employs Agile methodologies to empower micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries. The episode highlights success stories, such as a barber's journey from a rented spot to owning a professional store, demonstrating Agile's transformative impact beyond the tech industry. [14:40] - Episode #45 with Scott Dunn explores "Overcoming Agile Challenges in Regulatory Environments." This crucial topic addresses the unique challenges faced in tightly regulated sectors like government, legal, and medical professions, offering a compelling dialogue on navigating regulatory hurdles within an agile framework. [16:00] - Episode #64 features John Grant discussing "How Agile Methodologies Reshape Legal Practices." This episode reveals the transformative impact of Agile in the legal profession and offers a unique perspective on Agile as a philosophy rather than just a practice, illustrating its broader applicability beyond the software realm. [17:00] - Today's episode is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) course. This is a two-day training course taught by one of our certified Scrum trainers that teaches you how to use the product backlog as a tool for project success and how to respond to changes in business conditions by restructuring the product backlog. For the schedule, visit the Mountain Goat Training Schedule. [17:27] - General Career Advice: #34: "I'm Trained, Now What? with Julie Chickering" addresses the post-training phase for Scrum Masters and Product Owners. Julie shares insights on taking the next steps, implementing knowledge, and finding opportunities to build a resume in Agile roles. [18:29] - In #40: "Is it Time to Go Out on Your Own? Tips and Insights with Chris Li" Brian and Chris Li discuss considerations for those at later stages of their careers contemplating the transition to independent consulting. If you're pondering whether it's time to establish your consultancy, this episode provides valuable insights and considerations to guide your decision-making process. [19:00] - In #42: "The Importance of Self-Mastery with Bob Galen," Bob emphasizes the value of constant learning, even after years of experience, highlighting the importance of staying open to new discoveries and others' experiences. This episode serves as a compelling guide for personal growth and continuous improvement. [20:28] - Episode #46 with Christina Ambers: In this episode, Christina shares insights on "How to Assess Company Culture Before Accepting a Job Offer." As the year closes and people consider new job opportunities, Christina guides listeners through the crucial step of evaluating company culture and the importance of understanding if a company truly embraces Agile values or merely pays lip service to them. [21:14] - Episode #50 celebrated the milestone of the 50th episode. Lance Dacy was on the show to discuss "Choosing Your Path: Exploring the Roles of Scrum Master and Product Owner." The episode offers guidance for individuals at crossroads, helping them decide between Scrum Master and Product Owner roles. It serves as a valuable resource for those navigating career decisions in the Agile landscape. [22:13] - Leadership and Coaching: In the Leadership and Coaching category, Episode #37 features Brad Swanson discussing "Servant Leadership, Not Spineless Leadership." Brad dispels misconceptions and offers valuable insights into the essence of servant leadership, making it a compelling resource for those interested in effective leadership approaches. [23:28] - In Episode 41, Karim Harbott explores "Cultural Transformations in Organizations." The episode delves into the challenges of changing organizational culture, emphasizing the time and effort required beyond implementing specific practices. [24:00] - In "#44: Transformations Take People with Anu Smalley", Anu highlights the often-overlooked aspect of involving people in organizational transformations, shedding light on the human dynamics that can either support or hinder the process. [24:35] - In Episode #53, "Debunking Myths in Agile Coaching with Lucy O'Keefe," we tackle the common myths surrounding Agile coaching and provide insights on unlocking excellence in Agile coaching practices. [25:01] - Episode #66 is a solo episode where Brian shares his insights into navigating team conflicts, laying the foundation for understanding and mastering the essential skill of conflict navigation. [26:00] - In Episode #68, Brian hosts Mike Hall for a discussion of "The Pros and Cons and Real-World Applications of SAFe." Whether you're new to SAFe or deeply involved, Mike's expertise provides valuable perspectives and tips for navigating this framework. [26:42] - In Episode #70, Mike Cohn joins Brian to explore "The Role of a Leader in Agile." Here, Mike shares valuable insights based on his extensive experience, offering sound advice and perspective on the crucial role of leaders in self-organizing teams. [28:10] - Brian encourages listeners, especially newcomers, to explore relevant episodes based on their roles, with the goal being to offer practical advice and solutions on specific issues rather than lengthy discussions. All episodes are available in the show notes for convenient access. [29:33] - Brian expresses gratitude to listeners for the past year, reflecting on the unique nature of podcasting and letting listeners know he cherishes the encouragement and connections made, especially at events like Agile 2023. [31:00] - What do you want to hear in 2024? What are some of the hot-button topics that haven’t been covered on the show or guests you want to hear from? Send Brian an email with your ideas. [32:28] - And don’t forget to share and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [33:00] - We also have our Agile Mentors Community, where we have discussions about every podcast [33:24] - Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season! We'll see you early again in 2024. References and resources mentioned in the show: #47: Exploring Lean Thinking in Agile Development with Bob Payne #52: The Birth of Agile: How 17 Adventurous Techies Changed the World with Jim Highsmith #59: Revising the Scrum Guide with Don McGreal #62: Effective Sprint Goals with Maarten Dalmijn #69: Should Scrum Masters Be Technical with Allison Pollard #39: The Art of Writing User Stories with Mike Cohn #65: Unlocking Lean Portfolio Management with Randy Hale #22: How to Create Helpful Product Roadmaps with Roman Pichler #33 Mob Programming with Woody Zuill #48: Holistic Agile Testing with Lisa Crispin and Janet Gregory #54 Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science #63: The Interplay Between Data Science and Agile with Lance Dacy #71: The World of DevOps with Carlos Nunez #32: Scrum in High School Sports with Cort Sharp #38: Using Agile for Social and Societal Transformation with Kubair Shirazee #45: Overcoming the Challenges of Agile in Regulatory Environments with Scott Dunn #64: How Agile Methodologies are Reshaping Legal Practices with John Grant #34: I'm Trained, Now What? with Julie Chickering #40: Is it Time to Go Out on Your Own? Tips and Insights with Chris Li #42: The Importance of Self-Mastery with Bob Galen #46: How to Assess Company Culture Before Accepting a Job Offer with Christina Ambers #50: Choosing Your Path: Exploring the Roles of Scrum Master and Product Owner with Lance Dacy #37: Servant Leadership, Not Spineless Leadership with Brad Swanson #41: Cultural Transformation in Organizations with Karim Harbott #53: Agile Coaching: Debunking Myths and Unlocking Excellence with Lucy O'Keefe #66: Successful Strategies for Navigating Team Conflicts #68: The Pros and Cons and Real World Applications of SAFe with Mike Hall #70: The Role of a Leader in Agile with Mike Cohn #49: Celebrating One Year: A Look Back at 50 Episodes of the Agile Mentor Podcast Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

In this episode, Brian Milner and Lucy O'Keefe share their journeys to becoming Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs). Join them as they discuss the challenges, unexpected moments, and valuable lessons learned along the way, offering insights for those considering the CST path. Overview Explore the transformative journey to becoming a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST) with Brian Milner and Lucy O'Keefe. From the submission process to mentorship, co-training, and the rigorous Trainer Approval Committee (TAC) interviews, they unravel the intricacies of achieving CST status. Listen in for valuable tips, reflections, and inspiration for navigating the rewarding but challenging road to becoming an elite Agile trainer. Listen Now to Discover: [01:26] - Brian introduces his guest, Lucy O'Keefe, who recently achieved her Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST). [02:53] - Today’s discussion will explore the experience of becoming a Certified Scrum Trainer® with Brian and Lucy sharing their personal experiences and insights into the process of becoming a CST. [03:44] - Lucy shares what fueled her passion for becoming a CST and how her mentor—Anu Smalley—inspired her. [05:00] - Brian discusses his decision-making process for becoming a CST and why it's important to make a decision that aligns with your instincts and career goals. [06:07] - Brian and Lucy each share their journey to becoming a CST and the steps required before being eligible to pursue the trainer certification. [08:24] - Insight into the two phases of the submission process for becoming a Certified Scrum Trainer®: the materials phase and the Trainer Approval Committee (TAC) phase and the challenges along the way. [09:38] - Brian reflects on the significance of mentorship in the journey to becoming a CST and David Hawks's crucial role in opening doors and making connections with other trainers. [09:48] - Lucy acknowledges Anu's pivotal role and emphasizes the importance of these relationships, (especially considering the challenges posed by the pandemic. [12:00] - Lucy and Brian discuss the relationship-building phase involved in co-training and mentorship. [13:22] - Lucy explains the (time-intensive) nature of co-training. [14:26] - Brian shares his approach to initiating co-trainings. [15:11] - The importance of feedback and obtaining recommendation letters—a crucial element in the submission process. [16:28] - Brian and Lucy discuss the impact of mentorship on their journey, expressing gratitude for the individuals who opened doors and provided mentorship. Brian mentions David Hawks, Kert Peterson, and Lance Dacy, emphasizing the diverse perspectives and valuable insights gained from them. [17:20] - Lucy shares about the recent special episode of her podcast where she featured her mentors. [17:55] - The value of in-person training (and some of the expenses involved). [20:09] - The challenges of training in a virtual environment. [22:18] - The limitations of virtual classes and the added value of personal interactions and shared experiences during breaks. [23:38] -The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and their Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® class. This is the only ACSPO that uses our interactive software so that breakout exercises are valuable and FUN! Plus, you will automatically receive 12 free months in the Agile Mentors Community. For more information, click on the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [25:17] - The lengthy process of submitting materials for Certified Scrum Trainer® approval. Brian shares his personal experience. [25:35] - Lucy explains the current two-phase process for CST approval and her experience (highlighting the changes since Brian's initial submission). [26:33] - The rigorous examination process and the scrutiny applied to every aspect of the application during the fine-tooth comb review during the TAC phase of becoming a CST. [27:00] - Lucy describes the final stages of the approval process. [27:19] - Brian reflects on the changes in the CST qualification process and emphasizes the importance of following the TAC's feedback for those who reach this stage. (Advice from Chris Li) [28:49] - Resilience and persistence in the face of potential setbacks during the CST approval process. [30:42] - An in-depth explanation of the challenging TAC (Trainer Approval Community) interview process for becoming a Certified Scrum Trainer®. [32:23] - Brian shares his personal preparation strategies and reflects on the unpredictability of TAC interviews, recounting an unexpected request during his own experience. [33:32] - Lucy shares her preparation methods and also stresses the unpredictability of TAC interviews and the importance of adaptability during the process. [34:29] - Be prepared to think on your feet. Brian shares the emergency situation he faced and a mistake during his live presentation. Plus the surprising comments he received from the committee. [37:27] - Lucy shares her unexpected experience after the committee's vote. And a valuable piece of advice for listeners. [38:33] - Embarking on the CST journey involves challenges and moments of doubt, but perseverance is crucial, as success may require multiple attempts—not everyone passes on the first try. [39:43] - Becoming a CST is a subjective process and often involves multiple attempts—it doesn’t diminish your capabilities as a trainer. Brian shares the crucial aspects of the journey. [40:13] - Lucy shares why it's important not to take rejection personally, instead viewing it as a chance to identify areas for growth and become a better trainer in the end. [41:23] - Brian emphasizes the importance of viewing the CST process as a journey—being prepared for potential setbacks, highlighting the mindset of growth and continuous learning. [42:30] - Lucy adds that the rigorous Certified Scrum Trainer® requirements aim to ensure that CSTs are among the elite trainers, making the achievement more meaningful. [43:38] - The importance of embracing each chance to enhance oneself as an Agilist and a trainer. [44:09] - Brian's words of wisdom: "Hard things that are hard to do, that just makes it all the better when you achieve them.” [44:45] - Lucy’s advice: “It's not just becoming a CST. It's what you learn on your journey that really matters." [45:25] - Congratulations to Lucy for getting her CST! Brian extends his thanks to her for being on the show. For listeners interested in continuing the discussion, you can join the conversation in the Agile Mentors Community, where they also have monthly Q&A calls. [46:58] - If you found this episode useful, please share it. Send feedback and suggestions for future episodes to podcast@mountaingoodsoftware.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: #53: Agile Coaching: Debunking Myths and Unlocking Excellence with Lucy O'Keefe #44: Transformations Take People with Anu Smalley #17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks #12: Kanban with Kert Peterson #54: Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy #40: Is it Time to Go Out on Your Own? Tips and Insights with Chris Li Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.   Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lucy O'Keefe has over 28 years of IT experience and has worn multiple hats in the Agile world - developer, Product Owner, Scrum Master, and now, Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST) where she uses her experience to ensure each student has a great training experience.

In this episode, Brian sits down with Susan Fitzell to unravel the realm of neurodiversity in the workplace. Join them as they explore the intricacies of accommodating neurodivergent individuals, discussing the challenges they face and the strategies to foster an inclusive environment for everyone on your team. Overview Today, join host Brian Milner in an insightful conversation with Susan Fitzell as they explore the intricate world of neurodiversity within Agile environments. Listen in to gain valuable insights into the challenges neurodivergent individuals encounter and discover effective strategies, from reevaluating dress codes to adapting communication methods, to foster an inclusive workspace. Susan provides practical tips that offer a fresh perspective on accommodating diverse work and communication styles, empowering teams to collaborate successfully. Tune in to revolutionize your leadership approach by embracing the unique strengths neurodivergent team members bring, and create an environment where every individual can thrive. Listen Now to Discover: [00:00] - Brian introduces guest Susan Fitzell, a certified speaking professional, and author to discuss neurodiversity in the workplace. [03:24] - Susan explains the evolving neurodiversity language, now encompassing diverse brain wiring, including conditions like ADHD and autism, and discusses terminology challenges. [08:22] - Brian shares his own personal connection to ADHD and a story about his daughter’s autism and her triumphs. [10:40] - The challenges of diagnosing autism in females and how the criteria are based on male presentations. [15:16] - The importance of neurodiversity for Scrum Masters and leaders, and the challenges of recognizing neurodivergence, especially in females adept at masking. [19:19] - The need for flexibility in understanding neurodivergent team members, the impact of past negative experiences, and the importance of soft skills for a collaborative Agile team. [21:33] - Susan addresses the high unemployment rate (80%) among neurodivergent adults, especially autistic individuals, and highlights challenges in interviewing. [24:22] -The importance of recognizing and leveraging the unique skills of neurodivergent individuals on Agile teams, and acknowledging their specialized contributions. [25:41] - Brian shares a study that indicates young autistic individuals choose computer science degrees at three times the general public's rate, emphasizing the likelihood of having neurodivergent individuals on your teams. [26:04] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and their Certified Scrum Master Training Class. Despite the name, it's not just for Scrum Masters, it's designed for anyone who wants to understand Scrum and add value to any team. For more information click on the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [27:41] - Susan addresses accommodations in the workplace for neurodivergent individuals. [28:10] - Brian and Susan discuss specific aspects scrum masters should consider for accommodating neurodivergent individuals within team environments. [31:30] - Susan shares insights on sensory sensitivities and the challenges of conforming to things like dress codes for neurodivergent individuals. [34:16] - The significance of recognizing and accommodating sensory preferences for better productivity. [35:27] - The positive impact of remote work on neurodivergent individuals, allowing them to create a comfortable work environment tailored to their needs. [37:35] - Susan emphasizes the importance of understanding team members as individuals to recognize and embrace the diversity of strengths and challenges in their teams. [40:19] - Supporting neurodivergent team members through workspace recommendations, emotional check-ins, and communication preferences. [41:04] - Brian mentions Susan’s Neurodiversity in the Workplace and "The Autism at Work Playbook" as valuable resources. [43:36] - Brian thanks Susan for her insights. You can connect with Susan and there are more resources at her website at https://susanfitzell.com/, or by sending her an email. [44:19] - If this topic was impactful to you and you want to continue the discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community where we have a topic discussion for each podcast episode. [45:18] - Please share this episode with others if you found it useful. Send feedback and suggestions for future episodes to podcast@mountaingoodsoftware.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Susan Fitzell Neurodiversity in the Workplace "Autism at Work Playbook" Autism in Heels Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP, is a renowned neurodiversity speaker, coach, and consultant with over 30 years of experience. Specializing in training neurodivergent thinkers, including those with dyslexia, autism, ADD, and ADHD, Susan is a trusted expert and author of 16 books. With a holistic approach and dedication to creating competitive learning cultures, she collaborates with organizations globally to maximize the potential of neurodivergent individuals.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, join host Brian Milner in a heartfelt Thanksgiving reflection filled with gratitude to listeners of the show and a sneak peek into what's coming up on the podcast. Overview With gratitude at the forefront, Agile Mentors Podcast host Brian Milner reflects on the year's journey toward agility by extending heartfelt appreciation for listeners of the show and their contributions and dedication to making workplaces better. Listen in as Brian shares the power of gratitude and recognizing those who challenge the norms for the sake of improvement and go the extra mile to get the job done. Tune in for an insightful Thanksgiving message, sprinkled with valuable tips for team appreciation and building a positive culture within the Agile community. Listen Now to Discover: [00:45] - Brian welcomes listeners to this special Thanksgiving week show. [01:22] - Brian shares his thanks for those he and Mike Cohn were able to meet at Agile 2023. [02:09] - Gratitude for the growing list of ideas for upcoming shows. Brian explains the backlog process of the Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software to ensure a thoughtful and tailored exploration of agile themes. [02:30] - Praise goes a long way— Brian shares his ideas for finding opportunities to say thank you to your teams. [03:52] - Advice for a mix of public and private appreciation. [04:33] - Cultivating a positive organizational culture —it's a complex and time-consuming process. Brian shares his advice for listeners who want to improve the work environment. [05:52] - Praise for the imperfect solutions. [06:19] - A Holiday break and then a whole new slate of episodes of the Agile Mentors Podcast for 2024. If you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email and don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Previous Episodes of the Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of neurohacking with Ted Wallace. Discover how you can unlock your brain's superpower to accelerate your learning and personal development journey! Overview Are you ready to revolutionize the way you learn, work, and lead? In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast join Brian and his guest, author Ted Wallace as they delve into the fascinating world of using neurohacking to unleash the potential of your brain. Whether you want to change your habits, learn a new skill faster, or just increase your personal and professional growth, listen in for valuable insights that can help you harness neuroplasticity to tap into your brain's incredible potential. Listen Now to Discover: [01:02] - Brian introduces his guest, Ted Wallace, an Enterprise Agile Coach at the Principal Financial Group. Ted has also co-authored a series of books including Total Brain Coaching and Self Empower with his father, Dr. Robert Keith Wallace. Today’s show is a deep dive into the concept of neurohacking and its application in personal and organizational development and learning. [01:22] - What is Total Brain Coaching? [04:48] - How understanding the connection between neuroscience and learning can help individuals approach situations and come up with effective strategies. [06:10] - Ted discusses the research findings from his book 'Neurohacks' which explores ways to help individuals change their habits for faster learning. [07:32] - The importance of individual growth in driving overall organizational and societal change. [08:54] - How simple neurohacks such as getting enough sleep, can have a positive impact on mental health and productivity while networking and collaboration help amplify intelligence and foster innovation. [11:39] - We all have different learning styles. Ted walks listeners through the different learning styles and how applying personalized learning can lead to faster adoption and habit change resulting in improved team performance and adaptability. [13:15] - This podcast episode is made possible by our sponsor, Mountain Goat Software. The company’s Scrum certification classes were developed with the assistance of an instructional designer for an online learning experience that is both interactive and engaging. For more information visit Certified Scrum Training, Agile Training by Mike Cohn. [14:23] - The key elements in building effective habits for increased productivity. [16:35] - Why creating an environment of psychological safety is essential in improving learning outcomes. [20:51] - How different levels of adoption, from self-coaching to group dynamics, can accelerate value delivery. [21:53] - Maslow's Hierarchy and for effective meetings. [22:55] - How the Cynefin framework and Agile practices can help solve hard problems elegantly. [26:02] - How implementing neurohacks can improve the speed of learning. [27:36] - Ted walks listeners through some neurohacks that help improve learning. [28:52] - Neuroplasticity is everyone's superpower but what’s the secret to developing new pathways in the brain? [33:17] - You can connect with Ted by visiting his website at Total Brain Coaching and for further learning check out his books. [35:49] - If you want to discuss this topic further join the Agile Mentors Community and jump into the discussion there. [36:22] - Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email and don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Total Brain Coaching Total Brain Coaching: A Holistic System of Effective Habit Change For the Individual, Team, and Organization 16 Super Biohacks for Longevity: Shortcuts to a Healthier, Happier, Longer Life The Coherence Code: How to Maximize Your Performance And Success in Business - For Individuals, Teams, and Organizations Self Empower: Using Self-Coaching, Neuroadaptability, and Ayurveda Trouble In Paradise: How To Deal With People Who Push Your Buttons Using Total Brain Coaching The Backwards Brain Bicycle - Smarter Every Day 133 Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Ted Wallace is currently an Agile Coach at Principal Financial Group. He is a certified Scrum Master Professional (CSM, CSPO, CSP, CTC) and a registered corporate coach (RCC) with thousands of hours of coaching sessions. He’s also the author of several books, including Total Brain Coaching and Self Empower.

Discover the mindset and courage it takes to be truly agile. Listen in as Ryan Gottfredson sits down with Brian to explore the four common fears that hinder agility. In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Ryan Gottfredson, an expert on the psychology of agility and author of the bestselling book "Success Mindsets," sits down with Brian to explore the four common fears that hinder agility. Listen in as Brian and Ryan walk listeners through examples of how these fears manifest in the workplace, sharing valuable insights on how recognizing and reshaping your mindset can lead to more effective agile, and more personal and professional growth. Listen Now to Discover: [01:18] - Brian introduces his guest, Ryan Gottfredson, a leadership and management professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton to walk us through his talk from Agile 2023 in Orlando called The Four Fears that Undermine Agility. [06:07] - Brian reflects on the evolving understanding of agility as one progresses in their Agile journey, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal dynamics and human psychology in Agile work. [07:47] - The mindset and courage it takes to be truly agile. [09:23] - Ryan offers up some indicators of agility. [10:11] - Ryan introduces the four fears that undermine agility. [12:02] - How fear of failure and reluctance to try new things can lead to resistance to change, ultimately undermining agility. [12:16] -The importance of leadership in fostering agility with an example of Satya Nadella at Microsoft. [15:03] - Ryan discusses the first fear inhibiting agility, the fear of failure, and how it can significantly impede agility. [15:27] - The conversation then delves into the second fear, the fear of being wrong, and how this fear can obstruct agility by hindering the acceptance of diverse perspectives. [17:03] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software and their Certified Scrum Training Classes. These classes were designed and developed by the Co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, Mike Cohn. Mike taught his first Scrum class in 1997, and since then, more than 24,000 people have chosen to train with Mountain Goat Software. To join them, click on the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [18:13] - Is your expert mindset holding you back? Brian and Ryan explore the importance of shifting from an expert mindset to a truth-seeking mindset to foster agility by being open to the possibility of being wrong. [20:04] - Brian shares a personal experience related to the "no estimates" movement.v [21:28] - The value of conversations that focus on embracing the complexities of a topic. [22:09] - Ryan introduces the third fear inhibiting agility, the fear of having problems. Ryan shares an analogy of reacting to a mouse like it's a bear to illustrate his point. [24:29] - The "window of tolerance" for handling problems effectively. [25:43] - Ryan explains the fourth fear that hinders agility, the fear of getting passed up or not being recognized. [26:22] - The difference between a limited mindset, and a more open mindset that acknowledges the value of giving and sharing. [27:10] - Ryan shares a real-life example of an executive who initially shut down his employees' ideas to keep from being viewed as dispensable. [28:23] - Ryan reflects on the prevalence of these fears in organizations, and how they can collectively hinder agility. [30:03] - Ryan shares the four mindsets related to the four fears: fixed vs. growth, closed vs. open, prevention vs. promotion, and inward vs. outward. [31:33] - Brian thanks Ryan for sharing his insights on the show. You can find Ryan’s mindset assessment on his website, Ryan Gottfredson. You can also find his book, "Success Mindsets," or take his FREE Personal Mindset Assessment on his website or connect with him via LinkedIn. [36:45] - We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. And if you’d like to continue this discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community. References and resources mentioned in the show: Ryan Gottfredson Success Mindsets by Ryan Gottfredson Ryan Gottfredson on LinkedIn Ryan's talk from Agile 2023 Ryan Gottfredson's FREE Personal Mindset Assessment #33 Mob Programming with Woody Zuill Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ● Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ● Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., is a renowned mindset expert, author, and consultant. Through his work at California State University-Fullerton, his talk called, The Four Fears that Undermine Agility, and his bestselling book "Success Mindsets," Ryan helps organizations and leaders thrive through mindset improvement.

Today, Brian sits down with Melissa Boggs to explore the parallels between roller skating and workplace challenges as she shares her four-stage framework for personal and professional growth. Overview Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Melissa Boggs, host of the Wild Hearts at Work podcast to explore the parallels between roller skating and workplace challenges. Listen in as Melissa shares her experiences in the rink and in the workplace as she introduces her four-stage framework for personal and professional growth and the essential mental preparation required to embrace audacity and approach challenges with courage and curiosity. Listen Now to Discover: [01:33] - Brian introduces Melissa Boggs, a keynote speaker, leadership coach, and the host of the Wild Hearts at Work podcast to discuss moving from caution to courage. [03:57] - Melissa shares where the resistance to Agile concepts comes from and the inspiration for the Wild Hearts at Work podcast. [05:44] - The parallels between Melissa's roller skating journey and workplace challenges and how the distinct stages of personal and professional growth inspired her talk, "From Cautious to Courageous: A Live Roller-Skating Journey." [06:47] - Melissa introduces the fourth container, audacious, emphasizing the willingness to make dramatic and transformative moves to make major changes. [08:05] - The true meaning of audacity. [09:03] - Melissa walks listeners through the journey from cautious to audacious by fearlessly facing challenges that are bigger than you. [11:17] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software. If you want to get your Certified Scrum Product Owner Training or another certified training, here is the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [11:45] - How to distinguish between a growth opportunity or genuine danger. [13:58] - Melissa emphasizes the importance of the "Curious" stage in her framework, to tap into your intuition when transitioning from cautious to courageous. [14:30] - Melissa shares a specific example from her skating experience, highlighting the role of curiosity in addressing her caution and fear when attempting a challenging move. [15:06] - Melissa shares the elusive puzzle piece that was the final piece of her framework to show up, shedding newfound clarity on the journey from caution to audacity. [17:19] - “Danger Will Robinson.” The importance of exploring the reasons behind discomfort and discerning when it's a valid response. [20:51] - Identifying the true source of a fear to gain control over it—the role of reason in guiding human actions. [22:02] - The danger of remaining perpetually in the caution container. [22:51] - Brian shares a pivotal moment in his journey to become a CST (Certified Scrum Trainer) and the importance of acknowledging setbacks and mistakes when they occur in order to move forward. [25:08] - How jam skating can help you learn to fall gracefully. Melissa underscores the mental preparation involved in facing challenges. [28:14] - Brian sends a special thanks to Melissa Boggs. To continue the discussion, join the Agile Mentors Community. [29:07] – We invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. References and resources mentioned in the show: Wild Hearts at Work podcast Melissa Boggs Melissa Boggs on LinkedIn The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Melissa Boggs is an Agile advocate with experience serving on the Boards of Scrum Alliance and Agile Denver and serving as a keynote speaker at several global conferences. As a Certified Enterprise Coach and the host of the Wild Hearts at Work podcast, she specializes in bridging generational, cultural, and societal gaps to enhance workplace engagement.

In this episode, Brian dives into the world of DevOps with guest Carlos Nunez. Listen in as they explore the origins, debunk myths, and unlock the potential of DevOps in optimizing software delivery on the Agile Mentors Podcast. Overview On this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, join Brian as he welcomes guest Carlos Nunez, to explore the origins, debunk myths, and unlock the potential of DevOps in optimizing software delivery. Listen in to explore DevOps, its tools, and its profound impact on fostering effective communication and collaboration between development and operations teams. Listen Now to Discover: [01:18] - Brian welcomes his special guest Carlos Nunez, a DevOps consultant at VMWare, to discuss DevOps and its relationship with Agile. [02:40] - Carlos introduces the concept of DevOps and the need for collaboration between development and operations and the importance of both sides understanding each other's work to improve communication and efficiency in software delivery. [03:36] - What DevOps is not. Brian and Carlos discuss the various aspects of development, testing, and deployment in software development. [04:25] – Carlos shares a common misapplication of DevOps. [05:35] - Fostering a culture of communication and collaboration rather than using technical knowledge to obstruct progress and create bottlenecks. [05:48] - Brian shares the core concept of DevOps with the agile mindset. [06:20] - Brian asks Carlos why DevOps was developed and what can be gained when teams advance their DevOps practices. [06:30] - Carlos discusses the origin of DevOps, (hint: it started at an Agile conference). [07:05] - How DevOps can enhance team operations by fostering better communication and collaboration between developers and operators. [08:35] - The importance of looking at software and operating systems holistically. [09:54] - Brian expands on the importance of breaking down rigid skill boundaries to work more efficiently to enhance teamwork and results. [10:40] - Carlos discusses the common issue of Scrum Masters who only focus on facilitating ceremonies without understanding the product aspect. [11:57] - Are Scrum Masters still effective? [12:49] - Brian delves into the relationship between DevOps and Agile, addressing occasional pushback from DevOps practitioners who claim that DevOps and Agile don't work well together. [13:16] - Carlos shares insights from his talk, where he explored criticisms of Agile from DevOps practitioners, where some of the criticism originates from and his thoughts on the negative perception. [15:15] - Are you thinking about getting certified as a Scrub Master? If so, you will want to check out the resources and training options with our sponsor, Mountain Goat Software. They run certification classes every week. Each course comes with 4 hours of training videos from Mike Cohn and includes twelve months of membership in the Agile Mentors Community. You can find the schedule here. [16:34] - Brian asks about the categories of software that people use in DevOps. [16:41] - Carlos discusses DevOps tools and approaches, categorizing them into two ways: traditional Agile tooling and pragmatic programmer-type tools. [18:19] - Carlos highlights the significance of behavior-driven development (BDD) as the second bridge between DevOps and the broader business while noting that BDD tools are generally user-friendly and can help enhance collaboration between different roles in the software development process. [19:20] - How test-driven development (TDD) forms a bridge between developers and operators, allowing both to understand how to write tests, get them to pass, and refactor—like the developer's "red, green, refactor" process. [20:25] - Carlos discusses Jira, a widely recognized (and polarizing) Agile tool, and the two reasons he prefers it. [22:19] - Carlos discusses how the concept of story points can sometimes turn into person-hours. He emphasizes that the key is to focus on addressing the process to make it more effective and user-friendly. [23:12] - Why story trackers are crucial for operations teams. [23:55] - Brian offers his take on Jira. [24:35] - Carlos highlights the importance of CI/CD build systems and value stream mapping to understand the path from inception to production. [26:31] - Carlos highlights that having DevOps tools is important but not sufficient. [27:37] - How people with DevOps skills add value. [28:12] - You can find Carlos’ teaching on LinkedIn Learning, including DevOps Foundations, Kubernetes fundamentals, his Docker Essential Training Online Class, and more. [31:07] - Brian offers a big shout-out to Carlos for coming on the show. If you want to connect with Carlos, you can email him here. [32:33] - If you like this more technical episode, email us and let us know. As always we’d like to invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. [33:49] - Brian sends a special thank you to all Agile Mentors Podcast listeners. References and resources mentioned in the show: Email Carlos Nunez LinkedIn Learning Courses By Carlos Nunez Carlos’ DevOps and Agile Slides From the Agile 2023 Conference Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Carlos Nunez is a DevOps consultant at VMWare, who enjoys making engineering and product development in complex environments fun, fast, and profitable through DevOps, everything-as-code, and clean software. You can find his training courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Today, Brian sits down with Mike Cohn, the CEO of Mountain Goat Software to talk about how leaders can use agile concepts in order to keep their team operating at its best. Overview Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Mike Cohn, the CEO of Mountain Goat Software to discuss the role of a leader role in Agile. Listen in as Mike and Brian share their combined years of knowledge to help leaders use agile concepts to avoid the pitfalls of becoming a manager “behaving badly.” Listen Now to Discover: [01:08] - Brian introduces the show and his special guest Mike Cohn here to talk about the role of a leader in the Agile space. [01:53] - "Don't command, create a culture." Mike shares the difference between Agile leaders and traditional leadership. [02:59] - The concern about a resurgence of ‘old-school’ leadership and the concerns that brings. [04:48] - Mike shares how leaders can use agile concepts like self-organization, setting goals, choosing team members, and defining constraints in order to keep the team operating at its best. (Resource: Wicked Problems, Righteous Solutions: A Catologue of Modern Engineering Paradigms). [06:26] - Brian shares options for management to allow teams to figure out how to address problems as a team. [08:23] - Trust but verify isn't ideal—Mike shares why it’s better to manage by exception, i.e. giving trust upfront and asking questions later. [11:18] - Did you know the Agile Mentors Podcast is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software? Whether you're looking to get Certified Scrum Master Training or would like ​​Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® training, Mountain Goat has plenty of options. To see everything Mountain Goat has to offer visit Mountain Goat Software. [12:01] - Delving into the complexity of the relationship between leadership and employees, especially when it comes to trust, self-organization, and planning. [12:48] - Mike introduces the “Cone of Uncertainty” concept, sharing that having a plan is not a problem over any horizon, (over three days, three months, or three years) but managers need to accept that the level of precision in the plan should match the timeframe. [14:23] - Mike refers to an article from Harvard Business Review that highlights the difference in scrutiny between product development deadlines and sales projections, and the need for a more balanced and flexible approach in evaluating both areas. [16:05] - Language and terminology shape our perception—how the shift from "estimating" to "forecasting" helps facilitate the recognition of uncertainty in future predictions. [19:12] - Mike shares an anecdote about a client in Kansas City, who wanted him to use the word "forecast" instead of "estimate." [20:31] - The importance of assessing metric application in a leadership context. [21:06] - Mike highlights the danger of using "velocity" as a metric for team performance, explaining how subtle pressure on teams can lead to estimate inflation, rendering velocity less reliable for forecasting and more as a tool to pressure (and demotivate) teams. [24:12] - Brian encourages leaders to reflect on the motivation behind using things like velocity as a metric to measure teams and how this relates to the principles of self-organization in Agile. [25:22] - How a lack of proper training during role transitions can lead to managers ‘behaving badly,’ despite well-intentioned actions. [26:45] - A special thank you to Mike Cohn for joining us and sharing his knowledge. If you're interested in further discussions on this topic join us in the Agile Mentors Community where you can access exclusive content, participate in discussions, and attend Q&A calls with Mike and me. [27:50] - As always we’d like to invite you to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Do you have feedback or a great idea for an episode of the show? Great! Just send us an email. References and resources mentioned in the show: Wicked Problems, Righteous Solutions: A Catologue of Modern Engineering Paradigms Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Mike Cohn, CEO of Mountain Goat Software, is a passionate advocate for agile methodologies. Co-founder of Agile Alliance and Scrum Alliance, he thrives on helping companies succeed with Agile and witnessing its transformative impact on individuals' careers. Mike resides in Northern Idaho with his family, two Havanese dogs, and an impressive hot sauce collection.

Today, Brian sits down with Allison Pollard on the Agile Mentors Podcast to discuss the age-old question: Should Scrum Masters be technical? Tune in for Allison’s insights during this thought-provoking episode. Overview Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Allison Pollard to tackle the age-old question: "Should Scrum Masters be technical?" Allison shares her extensive experience with this topic and the importance of a clear definition of “technical” within the Scrum Master role. Allison candidly discusses the biases and assumptions associated with the expectation of Scrum Masters being technical and the potential impact in the workplace. Plus, she shares her advice for a more open and inclusive approach to accommodate diversity within the Agile community. Listen in for a thought-provoking discussion that uncovers new perspectives and insights on Scrum Masters' technical expertise to help you find the right fit for your team. Listen Now to Discover: [01:22] - Brian welcomes Allison Pollard to the Agile Mentors podcast. [03:31] - Alison introduces the topic of the show, which is whether Scrum Masters should be technical, her experience with the question of Scrum Masters' technical expertise, and the need for a clear definition of what "technical" means in this context. [06:12] - What’s more important, technical skills or soft skills? [07:55] - Alison shares an interview experience where a Scrum Master candidate underestimated the importance of technical debt, highlighting the need for Scrum Masters to be familiar with these concepts. [11:41] - The importance of a willingness to adapt and grow. [11:56] - The biases and assumptions associated with the expectation of Scrum Masters being technical and how that can create a division in the workplace. [13:12] - The importance of acknowledging the limitations of personal experience. [14:46] - The history of Scrum Masters as servant leaders and the impact this had on the role. [20:49] - Brian shares the importance of understanding the business value of Agile practices. [21:50] - Allison shares the importance of asking questions to gauge the comfort level of potential Scrum Masters in discussing various topics to determine how they will work with your team. [22:32] - How biases and implicit assumptions related to Scrum Masters can affect hiring and promotions. [22:51] - Today's episode is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's Certified Product Owner course, a two-day training course that teaches you how to use the product backlog as a tool for project success. For more information, check out the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule. [24:04] - Allison shares the importance of balancing servant leadership and focusing on tasks that help the team achieve results, rather than performing non-value-added tasks that hinder effectiveness. [26:28] - The value of building personal relationships during off times. [27:45] - They discuss biases and the importance of recognizing implicit biases when evaluating Scrum Masters' performance and effectiveness. [29:39] - Helping diverse individuals succeed in Agile roles. The challenges people face due to biases and the need for systemic changes to better accommodate diversity in the Agile community. [30:58] - Did you know recognizing impostor syndrome may be a sign that you are not an impostor? Plus, advice for overcoming imposter syndrome. [32:37] - You can connect with Allison on LinkedIn or at Helping Improve LLC to find out more about the training and coaching she offers. [33:05] - A huge thank you to Allison for being on the show. Did you know you can find all of the show notes and resources for all of the Agile Mentor Podcast on the Mountain Goat Software website? We had a question about the information shared on the recent show with Lance Dacy, you can find the show notes and resources from that show here. [34:29] - If you enjoyed this episode share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Did you know we discuss every episode of the podcast in the Agile Mentors Community? Join us (a 12-month membership is included with any training class from Mountain Goat Software) and post your questions there. As always, if you have feedback or ideas for the show, just send us an email. References and resources mentioned in the show: Allison Pollard on LinkedIn Helping Improve LLC Helping Improve on LinkedIn Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software “#54: Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy” Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Allison Pollard, the co-owner of Helping Improve LLC, is a coach, consultant, and trainer who brings the power of relationship systems intelligence to go beyond tasks, roles, and frameworks to create energy for change. As Program Director for Women in Agile's mentorship program, she champions diversity and amplifies women's voices, contributing to the agile community's growth. Allison is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a seasoned speaker at global conferences, including Scrum Gatherings and the Agile Alliance Agile20xx conferences.

Join Brian on the Agile Mentors Podcast as he sits down with Mike Hall for a refreshing perspective on SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), its real-world applications, and the hidden costs of a one-size-fits-all approach.   Overview Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian delves into the intricacies of SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) with guest Mike Hall of Agile Authority. Listen in as Mike shares the four essential steps for effective SAFe implementation, the hidden costs of a one-size-fits-all method, and why it's crucial to listen, understand, and honor the dynamics within your unique organization. Tune in to gain a profound understanding of SAFe and how to make it work for your team. Listen Now to Discover: [01:21]- Brian Milner introduces his guest, Mike Hall, Founder and chief evangelist of Agile Authority to discuss the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). [02:41] - Mike shares his background and perspective on SAFe and clarifies this is not a SAFe bashing session. [05:07] - The importance of lean thinking and continuous improvement. [06:13] - Mike shares the definition of SAFe and its core components, and popularity in Agile transformations. [09:08] - The pros and cons of SAFe: Mike explains why SAFe appeals to executives and its popularity in addressing agile scaling needs. [13:06] - Brian and Mike acknowledge the criticism of SAFe but discuss the appeal of its "connective tissue" concept. [14:04] - Mike highlights some of the pros of SAFe, including the accessible resources and low risk. But also shares some potential issues like the importance of value alignment and the comprehensive yet generic nature of SAFe. [16:53] - Improving SAFe: Brian asks Mike which aspects of SAFe he believes could be enhanced. [17:19] - Mike discusses the issue of considerable overhead and complexity, especially in the full configuration mode. [18:35] - In SAFe there are six new team roles that require training investments along with the addition of 17 new recurring meetings (events) in SAFe and 31 new artifacts. [20:51] - Mike discusses the extensive elements of SAFe, underlining new roles, meetings, and artifacts while emphasizing the need to evaluate their relevance for specific organizations. [23:51] - Customizing SAFe to reduce waste and overhead, Mike raises the question of a more efficient way to leverage lean and agile concepts in a fit-for-purpose approach. [28:45] - A word from our sponsor: Mountain Goat Software's Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® class teaches you the skills you need to increase your confidence, credibility, and value as a product owner with interactive software that makes the breakout exercises both valuable and fun. You’ll also receive 12 months of membership in the Agile Mentors Community. [29:31] - Mike introduces the concept of simple scaling, and its focus on four common-sense steps to consider—with the flexibility to discard steps that don't apply. [30:53] - Brian mentions #17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks. [31:10] - Step 1: Start with a Clear Business Objective: Mike shares the importance of beginning with a well-defined objective. [32:19] - Step 2: Observe, Understand, and Honor the Past: The most overlooked step, Mike shares why skipping it can be counterproductive. [33:28] - Step 3: Align to the Flow of Value. [34:28] - Step 4: Apply Targeted Agile Principles and Practices: Mike shares how specific Agile practices can be chosen to align with the business objective, like improving product quality. [34:38] - Mike highlights Agile practices that enhance product quality, (such as working at a sustainable pace, shift-left testing, test-driven development, code reviews, and sprint reviews) and help reduce errors. [35:09] - Mike discusses the concepts that can be used to align with the business objective of faster time-to-market. [36:41] - Brian and Mike discuss the debate on targeted vs. mass deployment, the key factors driving this debate, and how Agile principles and practices can help. [38:07] - Brian shares the significance of choosing the right guide for Agile transformations, emphasizing the importance of philosophy alignment. [39:00] - Why every framework should come with a big red asterisk in the fine print. [40:36] - Brian shares an analogy related to taking medicine, highlighting the importance of a targeted approach for organizations. [43:01] - You can connect with Mike Hall, on the Agile Authority website. [43:59] - Did you know we discuss every episode of the podcast in the Agile Mentors Community? Join us (a 12-month membership is included with any training class from Mountain Goat Software) and post your questions there. Additionally, if you enjoyed this episode share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. As always, if you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. References and resources mentioned in the show: Agile Authority #17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Mike Hall, of Agile Authority is a seasoned Agile Coach/Trainer, who brings 20+ years of Agile experience, specializing in software development and technology leadership. With a rich repertoire of Agile and Scaled Agile certifications, including CSP, CSM, CSPO, and SPC6, he's a key player in Agile transformations.

Join Brian on the Agile Mentors Podcast as he sits down with Dr. Ryne Sherman from Hogan Assessments to delve into the world of personality assessments. Tune in to discover how understanding individual strengths and motivations can help organizations make better hiring and team-building decisions. Overview What role does personality play in creating successful team dynamics? Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Dr. Ryne Sherman, of Hogan Assessments, and the co-host of The Science of Personality Podcast for an in-depth discussion on how personality assessments can be used to revolutionize the way organizations make informed choices in hiring and assembling teams. Dr. Sherman walks us through the diverse landscape of personality assessments, shedding light on their strengths and limitations. Then, he shares the unique approach embraced by Hogan Assessments to unveil profound insights into the members of your team and how they will work together. Listen in to discover how gaining insight into the unique strengths and motivations of individuals within a team can cultivate greater unity, boost productivity, and create a more positive work environment. Listen Now to Discover: [01:15] - Brian introduces his guest, Dr. Ryne Sherman, Chief Science Officer at Hogan Assessments, and co-host of The Science of Personality Podcast to discuss the role of personality in team dynamics. [03:19] - How Hogan Assessments helps organizations make better hiring and team-building decisions [06:00] - The risk of hiring based on “likeability.” [08:28] - How scientific assessments help ensure fair and objective hiring. [10:03] - The historical evolution of personality assessments. [14:31] - Dr. Sherman shares how the personality assessment process works. [15:38] - There are many different types of personality assessments, and each serves a specific purpose. Dr. Sherman shares how those provided by Hogan Assessments are designed to offer more nuanced insights. [19:27] - A word from our sponsor: Mountain Goat Software has designed our Certified Scrum Master Class as a two-day class that covers the fundamental principles of Scrum and more. Visit the Mountain Goat Software training schedule to learn more and schedule your training. [20:08] - What personality tests actually measure. [23:05] - Are you faking it? The biggest concern with most personality tests is they focus on the impressions individuals aim to make rather than the actual behavior. Dr. Sherman explains. [26:37] - How assessments provide valuable insights into behavior, possible triggers, and suitability for specific roles. [27:45] - How assessments aim to accommodate neurodiversity and cultural differences. [32:34] - Why understanding individual strengths and motivations is essential for team cohesion and productivity. [34:05] - Dr. Sherman shares the importance of transparency, and why you shouldn’t shy away from both positive and negative feedback to drive personal and team development. [38:47] - You can connect with Dr. Ryne Sherman at Hogan Assessments, or tune into their podcast, The Science of Personality Podcast [40:00] - If you enjoyed this fascinating episode share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. For further discussion on personality assessments join the Agile Mentors Community and post your questions there. As always, if you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. References and resources mentioned in the show: Hogan Assessments The Science of Personality Podcast Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Ryne Sherman is a Doctor of Psychology and the Chief Science Officer at Hogan Assessments and also the co-host of The Science of Personality Podcast. Dr. Sherman has devoted his career to researching the interplay between situational factors and personality traits. His work at Hogan Assessments aims to assist organizations in comprehending the role of personality in the workplace.

Join us on the Agile Mentors Podcast as Brian unveils the secrets to resolving conflicts to achieve win-win outcomes in your Agile teams. Overview Whether you're a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or an Agile coach, conflicts are inevitable and can become messy if not navigated successfully. Today, on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian guides us through various conflict types and shares techniques for effectively managing and resolving team conflicts. These methods encompass the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) framework, facilitative listening, and the use of team agreements to validate differences, ensuring that everyone feels safe and acknowledged, creating win-win solutions for all involved. Listen Now to Discover: [02:29] - How we handle conflict on our teams. [02:55] - Conflict is necessary for teams to challenge each other and make better decisions (Chernobyl disaster example). [04:38] - Conflict is inevitable and can take various forms, including messy and sticky situations that are not always desirable. [04:56] - Brian shares a past conflict management failure when as a Scrum Master, he inadequately handled a conflict between two team members, leading to a breakdown in communication and a loss of mutual respect. [09:15] - The need for Scrum Masters to develop corporate counselor skills, such as emotional intelligence and empathy, to effectively counsel and navigate conflicts within teams. [10:44] - Rational vs. Emotional conflict and the importance of shifting the focus back to the rational side for productive conflict resolution. [12:15] - Brian shares the difference between constructive and destructive conflict and the signs of each. [13:34] - The three types of conflicts in a team: task, relationship, and process conflicts and why it’s vital to understand the differences between these types of conflicts in order to navigate them effectively. [16:20] - Mountain Goat Software has designed our Scrum Certification classes to combine the best learning with the best engagement. If you want to see it in action, check out our training pages at Mountain Goat Software today. [17:22] - Each person has a default way of responding to conflict. You can identify your own response style using the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) framework which divides responses into five categories: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accommodating. [18:32] - Competing involves prioritizing one's own position but it can be justifiable in certain situations. [19:55] - Collaborating aims for win-win solutions through creative problem-solving, especially in scenarios with conflicting preferences. [21:01] - The third C offers an acceptable solution that satisfies both individual's concerns. [21:34] - Avoiding, marked by its unassertive and uncooperative nature, ultimately striving to sweep the conflict under the rug. [22;42] - Accommodating prioritizes the relationship above all else, willingly setting aside one's own stance to adopt the opposing point of view. [23:40] - Your default conflict resolution approach isn't necessarily bad; it can be effective in certain situations. Brian offers tips for recognizing and responding to these approaches in conflict situations. [25:08] - Psychological safety in a team is vital for healthy conflict resolution. Brian explains what that means and how to build it within your team. [28:10] - How team agreements can help prevent conflicts from turning destructive. [28:40] - Putting ground rules in place on your team so that when conflict occurs, you can navigate it successfully. [30:42] - Facilitative listening helps address problems without attacking personalities. Brian shares his techniques to assist others in hearing. Legitimizing differences by acknowledging and validating opposing viewpoints can help resolve conflicts within a team. [32:29] - Overlooking human dynamics can lead to team failure but legitimizing differences helps everyone feel safe and heard. [35:11] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. For further discussion join the Agile Mentors Community where we discuss each podcast episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenter is: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Join Brian and his guest Randy Hale as they delve into the world of Lean Portfolio Management to drive Agile transformations and make informed decisions for greater business success. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Agile Transformation Coach Randy Hale to discuss Lean Portfolio Management. Listen in as they explore strategies for navigating organizational culture, redefining metrics, and addressing uncertainty to make informed business decisions and drive successful Agile transformations. Listen Now to Discover: [01:18] - Brian Milner welcomes Randy Hale of Agile Velocity to the Agile Mentors podcast to discuss Lean Portfolio Management. [02:40] - Randy shares the definition of Lean Portfolio Management. [04:07] - The first steps to implement Lean Portfolio Management. [06:41] - How to engage finance and accounting teams in the conversations and emphasize optimizing value delivery. [09:35] - What's broken with traditional budgeting? [10:15] - How Lean Portfolio Management helps organizations more easily align with customer needs and adapt to swiftly changing market conditions. [11:56] - Why traditional budgeting processes often lead to delays in responding to unexpected changes. [14:15] - How cultural factors can hinder an organization's adaptation to changing circumstances. [14:30] - Mountain Goat Software has designed the best training to help you stand out in the market. With live interactive courses and a mixture of lecture time and frequent breakout rooms to keep you engaged every second you're learning. All their courses are designed to give you the skills that agile teams and organizations value. For more information and the class schedule visit Mountain Goat Software today. [16:19] - The key components in Lean Portfolio Management. [18:34] - The value of early detection for proactive responses. [19:31] - Randy discusses the impact of organizational culture on transformation efforts and the importance of adapting processes within a compliance-based culture. [21:26] - Brian and Randy discuss the challenge of selecting meaningful metrics for effective decision-making. [24:48] - Randy highlights the importance of addressing uncertainty and focusing on critical factors using a scenario where a projected $5 million in revenue failed to meet expectations due to unvalidated assumptions. [25:21] - Brian discusses the common-sense principle that the further you are from a future event, the less precise your predictions can be. [26:29] - The million-dollar point of the conversation. [27:01] - The default way of tracking things that is disconnected from reality and the real value of what you deliver. [28:57] - You can connect with Randy at Agile Velocity or via LinkedIn. [30:32] - Don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. [31:04] - For further discussion about Lean Portfolio Management or any other topic on the Agile Mentors Podcast join the Agile Mentors Community. References and resources mentioned in the show: Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts #17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Randy Hale is an Agile Transformation Coach with over a decade of experience guiding companies through Agile transformations. Randy's hands-on knowledge and training have helped businesses of all sizes embrace Agile and Lean thinking for greater success including Fortune 500 companies like Nike, Petco, and Charter Communications.

Join Brian and his guest John Grant as they unveil how Agile methodologies are revolutionizing legal practices for improved client experiences and smarter workflow efficiency. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with John Grant to discuss using Agile methodologies and client-focused strategies in the legal profession. Listen in as John shares his unique perspective and innovative approach for reshaping legal workflows and enhancing client communication at the intersection of law and Agile practices. Listen Now to Discover: [01:00] - Brian introduces the podcast and guest, John Grant, a lawyer using Agile in the legal space. [01:19] - How legal use of Agile differs from other fields. [02:06] - John shares how clarity in communication is a challenge in legal work, similar to other fields. [03:00] - Brian compares legal work to building websites. [03:43] - John differentiates between "sheet music" (standardized work) and "jazz solos" (unique cases) in legal practice. [05:16] - The challenges of a high demand for legal services and a shortage of lawyers and how to ensure quality. [08:23] - John explains why the Kanban method is well-suited for legal practices. [09:27] - How to avoid overloading capacity and prioritize effectively. [11:39] - How the principles of Agile, Lean, and other methodologies, along with a focus on client value, are crucial even outside software development. [12:09] - The tendency to devalue the client's role in legal matters and the challenge of balancing technical work and customer care. [12:31] - The role of lawyers and discerning what clients genuinely want from legal services. [12:49] - The law is fundamentally a caregiving profession: John emphasizes the importance of caregiving and customer support in the legal profession. [13:31] - The need for effective communication and collaboration. [15:00] - John shares a case study involving a law firm specializing in estate planning and trust administration. [15:47] - John explains the creation of a multi-step client journey roadmap in the introduction letter, setting the tone for the client journey. [17:30] - The unique role of clients in legal work and how they contribute vital information to the legal team. [18:48] - This podcast is sponsored by Mountain Goat Software’s Certified Scrum Training classes. All certified classes include a twelve-month membership in the Agile Mentors Community. [19:36] - Brian draws parallels between capturing customer attitudes and feelings in personas in Certified Scrum Product Owner® classes and the importance of understanding clients' emotions in legal work. [20:21] - Daniel Katz's breakdown of clients seeking legal help to either mitigate risk or navigate complexity, and how this helps tailor the client journey. [21:35] - The frequent client complaint in the legal field. [23:09] - John explains how mapping workflows to the client journey introduces the concept of classes of service and enables smarter prioritization of work based on its urgency and importance. [23:32] - The key Agile concepts applied in the legal context: focusing on the customer, limiting work in progress, understanding customer journeys, and making work visible. [23:53] - Humans are naturally inclined to process information visually and the significance of visualizing work in knowledge work environments. [25:00] - The scalability of Kanban in law firms. [28:31] - John introduces the concept of the "help desk theory of lawyering," comparing lawyers' support roles to IT help desks and how Kanban systems can aid communication with clients. [31:22] - For more information on John’s Kanban training visit Agile Attorney. [32:00] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. [33:24] - For further discussion join the Agile Mentors Community where we discuss each podcast episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Agile Attorney Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. John Grant is a fourth-generation lawyer with a background spanning both technology and law. Drawing from his experience in the tech industry and legal sector, he offers a unique perspective on legal practice. He's passionate about facilitating positive change in legal practices and using the Kanban methodology to help legal teams unlock their full potential.

Join Brian and his guest Lance Dacy as they address the interplay (and the skepticism) of combining Agile and data science. Tune in as they explore the art of crafting Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to create impactful and efficient solutions. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Lance Dacy to delve into the nuances of aligning data science with the software development mold while dispelling the myths along the way. Listen in as Lance shares his wealth of experience and insights guiding listeners through the step-by-step process of building MVPs in data science projects and sharing how Agile principles seamlessly apply to both worlds. Listen Now to Discover: [01:13] - Brian introduces Lance Dacy on the Agile Mentors Podcast. Since listeners appreciated the previous data science and agile episode, Lance is here for Part Two, this time discussing how data science fits into the software development mold. [02:00] - Addressing the skepticism of combining agile and data science; Lance has both expertise and practical experience. [02:43] - Lance emphasizes that he understands the “naysayers” concerns but aims to help others comprehend the synergy. [03:05] - Waterfall might be better: sorting out the different perspectives on Agile development and data science. [04:45] - The importance of scoping and architecture in software development projects. [05:15] - Challenging the notion of perfectly defined objectives. [05:46] - Most software projects lack a completely predefined understanding. [06:39] - How Agile's empirical process and mindset of experimentation align with data science. [07:30] - Presenting a real-world MVP example combining business drivers and data science techniques. [08:04] - Clarifying what Agile is—a philosophy based on values, not a step-by-step process. [09:03] - The importance of sustainable pace and productivity in Agile. [10:10] - Introducing the concept of MVP and acknowledging the evolution of data science techniques. [11:00] - Discussing MVP in the context of data science, and aligning it with empirical approach. [11:38] - Highlighting the role of MVP in testing assumptions, mitigating risks, and user feedback. [12:00] - Exploring data science's practical relevance for consumers to forge a relatable discussion. [12:47] -Acknowledging familiarity with technology, uncertain about tactics. [13:00] - Highlighting how AI and data science are pervasive in everyday technology use. [13:29] - Examples of AI data science integration: search engines, online shopping recommendations, social media content, smart homes, and more. [14:42] - Introducing common uses of data science: customer segmentation and marketing techniques. [15:19] - Applying clustering techniques like K means for automated segmentation. [15:34] - Lance shares his paper on supply chain optimization, using an ant colony algorithm. [15:56] - The techniques and purpose of supply chain optimization. [16:23] - Exploring data science applications: collaborative filtering, matrix factorization, neural networks. [16:42] - Clarifying data scientists' approach: not a random process but based on problem-solving with models. [17:18] - Iterative development as a primary reason for MVP in data science. [17:57] - Using real-world performance data for model improvement. [18:21] - Risk mitigation as a critical aspect of MVP: linking risk mitigation to surviving challenges and learning from them. [19:51] - Starting with an MVP reduces risk by avoiding overly complex models without sufficient feedback. [20:19] - Setting stakeholder expectations with an MVP: providing tangible insight into data science trade-offs and early deliverables. [20:39] - Highlighting operational considerations of deploying and maintaining data models, addressing challenges in data pipelines, infrastructure, and monitoring. [22:17] - An MVP approach aligns with Agile principles for data science. [22:35] - Brian clarifies the misconception that MVP means sacrificing quality for speed. [23:30] - Lance agrees, addressing the misconception, and emphasizes MVP's importance in learning and improvement. [23:32] - Have you thought about training with Mountain Goat Software? With classes such as Mountain Goat Software, Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) developed by Mike Cohn, and team home software for better interactivity during classes you can’t go wrong. [24:00] - Brian suggests transitioning to walking through a model or example of creating an MVP. [24:07] -A tangible framework for mapping data science work to MVP steps, acknowledging the contextual nature of the process. [24:50] - Lance acknowledges the complexity of the steps, so they’ve been posted below under resources. [25:11] - The importance of problem definition and defining the scope of the MVP. [26:34] - The challenge of gathering and preprocessing data. [27:20] - Selecting a simple model that is easy to interpret and implement for faster training times, easier troubleshooting, and adherence to the principle of parsimony. [29:12] - Using feature engineering to select the most relevant features for the model. [29:33] - Choosing a manageable number of features for the model, rather than attempting to incorporate all available data and avoid overcomplicating or overfitting the model. [30:11] - Lance emphasizes the importance of selecting a simple model and conducting feature engineering based on the insights gained from that model. [30:36] - Training the chosen machine learning model using pre-processed data, typically by splitting the data into training and validation sets. [31:15] - The challenge of evaluating the model's performance and the importance of using the appropriate metrics. [31:34] - The goal: create a model that is good enough for gathering feedback that aligns with the concept of MVP. [31:53] - Lance describes the last step of building an MVP: deploying the MVP by integrating the model into a suitable platform or application. [32:26] - The importance of making the MVP accessible to end users. [33:00] - The crucial feedback loop for making improvements to the model and features, and refining, scaling, or reconsidering the approach. [34:09] - Why you might want to initially deploy a slightly higher-level model. [34:57] - The parallel between the steps of creating an MVP in data science and the principles of Agile. [35:18] - Brian adds that in data science, feedback not only comes from customers and users but also involves analyzing results and outcomes as a form of feedback to refine the model. [35:53] - The importance of relying on scientific expertise to analyze the results of the model and evaluate its accuracy and validity. [36:10] - In data science, the feedback loop also involves analyzing the outcomes and results, similar to the iterative process of receiving user feedback in software development. [37:00] - Lance draws parallels between software development and data science by comparing the process of building software features with the steps involved in creating an MVP for data science. [39:21] - Lance offers some practical examples, beginning with a recommendation system. [41:06] - The decision tree approach and its benefits for stakeholders. [43:00] - Lance talks about churn prediction to gradually incorporate more nuanced data. [43:55] - MVPs for chatbots and the benefits of starting with simple scripted responses in a chatbot MVP. [45:59] - Managing multiple projects. [46:24] - The effectiveness of using logistic regression and decision trees for MVPs. [47:00] - Lance emphasizes the importance of managing stakeholders' expectations. [47:53] - Lance discusses the need to consider the context when interpreting model performance metrics and involving stakeholders in these discussions. [49:16] - The importance of collaboration between data scientists and stakeholders for delivering valuable solutions. [50:11] - Lance draws a comparison between data science and software development in terms of the challenge of coordinating work across different specialized areas. [51:00] - Lance highlights the importance of feedback and iterative adjustments for success. [53:24] - Again, you can find Episode #54: Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy, here. [53:48] - We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic and your suggestions for future topics. Just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. [55:00] - Don’t forget to check out the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule, including, Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) and Advanced Certified Scrum Master (ACSM) and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (ACSPO) classes. I'd really love to see you in class! References and resources mentioned in the show: 6 Reasons Why I Think Agile Data Science Does Not Work | by Ilro Lee Why Data Science Doesn't Respond Well to Agile Methodologies Lance’s SMU Paper (Ant Colony Algorithm and Traveling Salesman Problem) #54: Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Reasons for Quick MVP in Data Science are to support: Iterative Development Feedback Loop Risk Mitigation Setting Expectations Operational Considerations Steps of the MVP: Problem Definition Gather and Preprocess the Data Select a simple model Feature engineering Train the model Evaluate the model Deploy the MVP Collect Feedback Iterate Decision Time Examples of MVP in Data Science (Logistic regression and decision trees are often used as initial models due to their simplicity, interpretability, and relatively quick development time.) Recommendation Systems: Instead of building a complex recommendation engine, a company might start with a simple rule-based system (e.g., recommending the most popular items) to gauge user interest and system engagement. Churn Prediction: An MVP might involve creating a basic model based on a few key features (like usage frequency and customer complaints) to predict which customers might churn. Later versions can incorporate more nuanced data and sophisticated algorithms. Natural Language Processing (NLP): For a chatbot, the MVP might involve scripted responses or basic keyword matching. Once deployed, user interactions can inform the development of more advanced NLP capabilities Conclusion With Rapid MVP, context is crucial with regard to our general benchmarks (F1-Score, ROC-AUC, MAE, RMSE). You should strive to always consider the context of those benchmarks with the problem being solved. In some medical diagnostic tests, even an F1-score of 0.95 might not be good enough due to the severe consequences of false negatives or false positives. We also likely need to compare the model's performance metrics with a simple baseline (e.g., random classifier, mean prediction) to determine how much value the model is adding. Always align the model's performance with business objectives. Even a model with a high ROC-AUC might not be suitable if it doesn't meet the specific precision or recall targets set by the business. Isn’t it better to find ways to know that earlier than later? Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant's heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away.

In this new episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Maarten Dalmijn to discuss the secrets to setting impactful sprint goals, fostering collaboration, and bridging the gap between team objectives and stakeholder expectations for Agile success. Overview In this new episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian is joined by Maarten Dalmijn, author of the new book, Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results to share his invaluable insights into the art of crafting effective sprint goals. Maarten shares his wealth of knowledge including how to navigate the challenges of setting sprint goals while ensuring alignment with stakeholders' expectation, and optimizing team structure while fostering a collaborative environment that ensures success. Listen in as Maarten and Brian explore the essence of sprint goals, the strategies behind their formulation and the impact they have on Agile projects. Listen Now to Discover: [1:06] - Today, Brian is sitting down with Maarten Dalmijn, of Dalmijn Consulting and author the book Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results that’s the number one new release in software design and engineering on on Amazon to discuss sprint goals. [2:16] - Maarten explains the concept of sprint goals using the analogy of a military commander's intent during missions. [3:22] - Brian shares how sprint goals serve as a commander's intent for the team's work. [4:07] - Maarten highlights that a sprint goal is not about completing a list of tasks but rather identifying the most important objective for the sprint. [5:24] - The challenges of conceptualizing sprint goals. [5:58] - Unable to set a single spring goal? Maarten addresses the question of setting a sprint goal for teams with multiple purposes or projects. [7:29] - Scenarios where setting a single sprint goal might not be feasible. [8:31] -The challenge of staying focused on the sprint goal when encountering obstacles. [9:44] - Maarten shares an example of the importance of knowing the underlying business objective when setting a spring goal. [11:08] - The importance of managing stakeholder expectations by communicating and aligning stakeholders with the sprint goal to prevent last minute surprises. [12:19] - Brian draws a parallel between sprint goals and TV episode titles, highlighting the need to share the sprint goal in the sprint review to prevent surprises and encourage stakeholder engagement. [15:28] - Are you thinking about getting certified as a Scrum Master? If so, check out the resources and training options with our sponsor, Mountain Goat Software. They run interactive certification classes every week that include 12 months membership in the Agile Mentors Community. [16:10] - Setting achievable vs. challenging sprint goals and what Maarten advocates for. [19:46] - Brian shares a teaching example. [20:12] - Maarten introduces the acronym "FOCUS" to assess the quality of sprint goals: Fun, Outcome-oriented, Collaborative, Ultimate, and Singular and shares each one’s role in creating effective sprint goals. [22:12] - Maarten discusses the importance of stakeholder management and its connection to clear vision and strategy within organizations. [22:47] -The role of team structure in setting sprint goals. [24:17] - Managing stakeholder pushback during sprint reviews. Maarten underscores the importance of working as a team with stakeholders to foster effective communication and alignment. [26:50] - The impact of planning and road mapping on the ability to set sprint goals. [28:21] - What stakeholders ultimately want. [29:18] - You can find Maarten’s book, Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results on Amazon. It’s part of the Mike Cohn book series. [29:50] - To continue the discussion, Join Us in the Agile Mentors Community, there’s a discussion about every episode of the podcast on there. [30:30] - Your feedback is valuable, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email us by clicking here. We'd love your thoughts about today's show and suggestions for future episodes. [31:04] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. References and resources mentioned in the show: Dalmijn Consulting Maarten Dalmijn Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Maarten Dalmijn of Dalmijn Consulting is an accomplished speaker at Fortune 500 firms, governmental bodies, and global conferences, who thrives at the nexus of Product Management and Agile. With a decade of versatile experience spanning roles from Marketing Manager to Scrum Master, he empowers teams to transcend the Feature Factory and achieve impactful value delivery. Maarten is the author of the recently released Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results.

In this episode of Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian, and Scott Dunn delve into the biggest question challenging teams right now: Should they return to the office or continue to embrace remote work? Join us as we navigate the complex factors in the office vs. remote debate. Overview Across industries, the call to return to the office is gaining momentum among management circles. In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Scott Dunn, to unravel the layers of the working in the office versus remote settings debate. Listen in as they discuss various perspectives and considerations such as productivity, work-life balance, leadership styles, personality types, and even economic factors that influence the decision to have your team in the office or at home and what truly defines an effective workspace. Tune in as Scott and Brian share valuable insights into the ongoing debate that's reshaping the modern work landscape Listen Now to Discover: [01:31] - Brian welcomes guest Scott Dunn to the show to discuss their feelings toward management saying it’s time to return to the office post-Covid. [02:48] - Everyone’s affected in one way or another by the return to the office vs the prevailing “squishy” remote work policy. [04:01] - Where are you really the most productive? [04:16] - The basic needs of a generation: why “fully remote” is so appealing to Gen Z. [05:55] - Words straight from the Agile manifesto that supports in-person work and face-to-face communication. [06:44] - Quantifying what’s been lost from being face-to-face to being fully remote. [07:13] - How open working sessions and working side by side but independently boosts productivity. [07:41] - The tools that elevate remote collaboration and help facilitate small group dynamics when working remotely. [09:31] - Remote work and the allure of opening the talent pool combined with less turnover is a game-changer. [10:26] - How to run a focused remote work trial to assess applicants and gather insights. [10:58] - It's about more than just the comfort or preference of the leadership team. [11:23] - The most critical factor in determining if you have a hiring problem. [12:03] - How to deal with the issue of unequal contribution and improve team dynamics. [12:39] - Why managers have concerns about remote and how to alleviate them. [13:27] - How to enhance team accountability and empower team members by implementing measurable tracking to ensure everyone's pulling their weight. [14:48] - Drive positive change by experimenting and then taking action. [19:41] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is proudly sponsored by Mountain Goat Software with a range of training options, from Scrum certifications to skill enhancement, visit www.mountaingoatsoftware.com. [15:25] - How to balance support for employees with managerial accountability. [16:00] -The correlation between happy employees and productivity. Simon Sinek's insights highlight the connection between employee happiness and success. [17:07] - The vital (and challenging) responsibility of leaders to not only guide teams but define the expectations of the company culture. [19:00] - Open dialog and constructive conflict: Patrick Lencioni’s approach to vulnerable leadership for trust and psychological safety. [19:35] - How to spark healthy conflict and promote results. [20:00] - The importance of acknowledging personality differences, diverse working styles, and ideal working conditions. [20:37] - How to encourage open dialogue to address concerns and foster employee ownership. [21:14] - Leading the conversations about remote work to the right approach. [21:40] - Embracing personal user manuals for improved teamwork. [22:14] - How to embrace a balanced approach that values different work styles. [23:35] - How introverted and extroverted differences can impact experiences: How constructive feedback promotes awareness and inclusive adjustments. [26:16] - Why remote work decisions should be rooted in culture and individual fit rather than an across-the-board, fixed policy. [27:09] - How a hybrid approach accommodates diverse work styles. [27:29] - Remote teams, as shown by a Harvard Business Review study, can be more productive, especially when employees overwork to prove their worth from home. [28:11] - How to help employees align with teams that suit their work styles. [28:45] - Consider implementing a system where teams choose to be fully remote or not, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of factors like productivity, team happiness, and innovation. [29:02] - How to help fully remote teams take ownership of their success. [29:32] - Weighing all the factors in the remote vs. in-person debate is essential, for aligning goals, ensuring meaningful decision-making, and opening the door to change. [30:33] - How the critically important remote work decision will impact future Scrum teams', economic considerations, and overall work-life balance. [31:10] - We don’t claim to have definitive answers but hope you enjoyed our conversation on navigating complex workplace challenges. [32:09] - Your feedback is valuable. We'd love your thoughts about today's show or any suggestions for future topics for the show. Email us by clicking here. [33:24] - We'd love to see you in one of Mountain Goat Software's classes, you can find the schedule here. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. References and resources mentioned in the show: Miro Start With Why by Simon Sinek The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience coaching and training companies like NASA, EMC/Dell Technologies, Yahoo!, Technicolor, and eBay to transition to an agile approach using Scrum.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Agile coach Reese Schmit who shares her tips for breaking recurring anti-patterns in teams and organizations through the power of the why. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian is joined by Agile Coach Reese Schmit to discuss identifying and tackling recurring Agile anti-patterns in teams and organizations. Reese shares her valuable insights on the significance of understanding the "why" behind Agile practice and avoiding the trap of "cargo cult Scrum." Listen in as she shares her tips for fostering transparency, collaboration, and trust among team members and how rediscovering the purpose behind Agile practices can lead to a world where people are excited and happy about their work. Listen Now to Discover: [01:10] - Brian sits down with guest Reese Schmit, a coach, trainer, and mom, from the Agile 2023 Conference in Orlando, to discuss identifying and tackling recurring Agile anti-patterns in teams and organizations. [03:10] - Reese talks about her revelation during an open jam session at the Agile 2023 Conference, where she realized the prevalence of the same anti-patterns across different teams and organizations over the past 15 years. [05:04] - Brian and Reese discuss the frustratingly common situation of organizations claiming uniqueness but facing the same Agile challenges. [06:19] - Reese highlights the misguided approach of blindly adhering to Agile frameworks like Scrum without understanding the principles. [06:38] - Overplanning and white-knuckling the backlog = irrelevant user stories and wasted efforts. [07:25] - Reese shares her journey as a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and her initial motivation to uncover the reasons behind the persistent issues in Agile implementations. [08:54] - Brian uses the analogy of a road trip to bring home the concept of why teams need a clear goal to keep them engaged and aligned with the Agile transformation rather than just imposing Agile practices on them. [09:35] - Organizations driving without a clear destination end up with confusion, disengagement, and a sense of going through the motions. [10:32] - Reese emphasizes the importance of a clear "why" at all levels - from product features to team goals. [11:16] - Reese shares her early experiences as a Scrum Master, where she lacked a clear understanding of a "cargo cult" mentality in your organization. [12:24] - The critical role of understanding the "why" behind Agile practices. [12:28] - Brian references Dan Pink's ideas on autonomy, mastery, and purpose, about the importance of understanding the "why" and measuring progress. [13:07] - Lack of autonomy results in disengagement, ineffective retrospectives, and helplessness to fix issues. [13:56] - Reese emphasizes the significance of recognizing the capabilities of team members and trusting them to build better products, teams, and organizations. [14:38] - Brian mentions a talk by Dr. Anne-Marie Charrett, a psychologist, that discussed the issue of trust within teams and what that entails. [15:40] - Reese shares her approach to building product teams based on expertise and interest rather than imposed structures. [16:46] - Brian emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the team's preferences when organizing them around products. [17:37] - Reese highlights the challenges faced in true Agile transformations, and why merely renaming roles or events does not lead to a shift in mindset or a genuine transformation. [18:15] - What true Agile adoption requires. [19:16] - Missing Opportunities: Organizations that fail to embrace Agile's inspect-and-adapt principle miss out on the chance to improve products based on real user feedback, optimize ROI, and focus on delivering the highest value to customers. [19:41] - Today’s show is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's Advanced Certified Product Owner® Course, a two-day training course led by a certified Scrum trainer. [20:16] -Understanding the "why" allows for better adaptation and problem-solving. [21:26] - Reese emphasizes that Agile issues are often complex and not solved by one-size-fits-all solutions. [23:37] - Brian shares how presumptive fixes can lead to misunderstandings and reduced trust. [25:46] - Recognize that team members are capable and intelligent professionals to foster trust and collaboration. [26:58] - Reese emphasizes the need to help organizations acknowledge when their information or assumptions are wrong. [27:30] - The importance of having a clear sprint goal (hint: it transforms ceremonies into meaningful events where collaboration happens). [30:35] - Clear communication about the purpose of events enhances effectiveness. [31:48] - Avoid pointless meetings. [32:12] - Overcoming inertia is essential to make meaningful progress. [32:58] - Reese humorously references a book on becoming healthy, which boils things down to the simplest terms, (eating veggies, sleeping enough, drinking water). Agile success can also be obtained simply, too by focusing on the fundamental principles. [35:31] - Rediscovering the purpose behind Agile practices can lead to a world where people are excited and happy about their work. [36:56] - Making a pact for improvement: Brian encourages listeners to take the lessons from the discussion and make a pact to focus on the core principles and purpose behind Agile practices. [37:09] - Your feedback is valuable, so email us by clicking here. We'd love your thoughts about today's show and suggestions for future topics for the show. [37:47] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. References and resources mentioned in the show: Daniel Pink Drive Anne-Marie Charrett Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Agile 2023 Conference in Orlando Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Reese Schmit is an Agile coach, trainer, and mom with nearly two decades of experience in the software industry, she wears multiple hats. With a deep understanding of Scrum, Kanban, and Agile methodologies, she fosters change through empathy, driving customer value, and continuous improvement. An avid volunteer for Agile organizations and conferences, she balances her time between coaching and enjoying life with her family and pets.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Don McGreal to discuss the revision of the Scrum Guide and the delicate balance between staying true to the core principles of Scrum while allowing for necessary flexibility. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian is joined by Don McGreal, to delve into the topic of revising the Scrum Guide. Don shares some of the behind-the-scenes of the decision-making process, and the rationale behind the crucial revisions that have shaped the latest version of the Scrum Guide. Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of the principles that guide Scrum and how they continue to evolve and the delicate balance between staying true to the core principles while allowing for necessary flexibility. Listen Now to Discover: [01:11] - Brian welcomes us to the show and introduces his guest, Don McGreal, the Founder and Vice President of Learning Solutions for Improving, author of “The Professional Product Owner” and a big name in the Scrum.org community to talk about revising the Scrum Guide. [04:27] - Don shares how he got involved in revising the Scrum Guide. [05:21] - One team, one group focused on the product. [06:57] - What a scrum team consists of now and why they made the change. [08:11]- We don't expect you to have a title on your business card. [08:53] -The switch from role to accountability. [10:51] - Ten people on a team, one Scrum master, one product owner: It's not illegal in Scrum to take on more than one set of accountabilities or have a bigger team but there are risks involved. [12:51] - Three people using Scrum to work through treatments for a child with autism. [13:34] - Why the team decided to stick with the term "developer." [16:22] - Other terms, including "sprint" and 'backlog" that caused debates and why they stuck. [17:39] - Scrum sounds different because it IS. [18:20] - True Leader: the hot-button topic in the scrum guide that people are still debating, and how they landed on their decision. [19:52] - Clarifying the term "serve" and the need for true leaders who empower the team and make things happen beyond just serving. [21:21] - Today’s show is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's, Advanced Certified Product Owner® Course, which aims to enhance product owners' skills, confidence, and credibility. The course offers lifetime access to materials and interactive software for valuable and enjoyable breakout exercises. Additionally, participants gain access to Mike Cohn's Agile Mentors Community, with 12 months of ongoing coaching and support. [22:00] - The decision to drop the three questions from the Daily and the new approach. [22:47] - A significant addition to the Scrum framework – the concept of a product goal representing the journey towards a vision. [23:40] - The (results-driven) power of the product goal as inspired by “The 4 Disciplines of Execution." and how it’s changed how backlogs are managed and success is measured. [25:00] - Changing the measure of success: measuring success by value rather than checking things off a backlog list. [25:26] - The vision is the big idea-the product goal is the milestone. It's a step towards the vision. [26:21] - In the revised Scrum Guide, the product goal is now part of the product backlog, emphasizing a commitment to achieving objectives with sprint and product goals focusing on the overall goal, not every task, while the Definition of Done ensures the increment's success. [29:28] - Before the new Scrum Guide, teams working on multiple products had debates on having one prioritized backlog or multiple lists. [30:12] - How the introduction of the product goal in the Scrum Guide directed teams towards having one focused direction, (preventing everything from being equally important). [31:06] - How emphasizing one strategic focus helped teams with multiple products alleviate challenges with prioritizing and improved their approach and alignment. [31:43] - Product backlog with mixed products lacks direction. Product goal provides focus without excluding other items. [33:15] - Some of the controversial changes, like making refinement an event and concerns about terminology like "master" in Scrum roles. [34:49] - The term "immutable" in the Scrum Guide means unchanging, which some find bothersome, but it serves to maintain consistency and distinguish genuine Scrum from modified versions. [36:49] - It's immutable, and it isn't suffocating. It's a lightweight framework described in a 13-page document—there's a lot of wiggle room in there—give it a shot and give it its best chance to succeed by following these simple rules. [37:28] - Change it if you must but then stop calling it Scrum. [38:05] - The sacred text about Scrum is meant to be easy to take on, helpful…AND flexible. [39:22] - Learning from the early days: streamlining a 200-300 page document with legal complexities into the current Scrum Guide, while aiming to distill its essence and promote simplicity and accessibility. [40:48] - You can find out more about Don and Improving by visiting their website. Additionally, Don's book, "The Professional Product Owner," can be found on Amazon. [41:07] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback is valuable, so feel free to email us by clicking here. References and resources mentioned in the show: Scrum Guides Improving The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage Scrum.org The 4 Disciplines of Execution Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Don McGreal is Vice President of Learning Solutions at Improving, and author of the best-selling book: 'The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage', and a Scrum.org Professional Scrum Trainer who has authored and taught classes for thousands of professionals around the globe.

Are your retrospectives boring? Join us on the latest episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast as Brian shares valuable insights on how to supercharge your retrospectives. Discover the three root causes behind boring or ineffective retrospectives and unlock tips to enhance their effectiveness. Overview Today on the Agile Mentors Podcast Brian Milner shares valuable insights on supercharging your retrospectives. Listen in to discover the three root causes behind boring or ineffective retrospectives, plus Brian shares his tips on ways to enhance their effectiveness. Tune in as Brian unveils some innovative ways to breathe new life into your retrospective themes while creating more meaningful connections within your team and fostering a deeper understanding of the bigger picture. Listen Now to Discover: [01:18] - On this last podcast episode for July, Brian offers insight into the three root causes behind uninteresting or ineffective retrospectives and tips to enhance and revitalize your retrospectives. [01:58] - Are your retrospectives boring? To supercharge your retrospectives: don't just go through the motions; take ownership, connect the dots, and make things happen. [02:45] - Scrum Guide Tip: to progress towards resolving the biggest issues, put action items from your current sprint into your next sprint's backlog. [03:25] - You don't have to solve everything in one sprint. [03:51] - Showing your team their recent successes can help with motivation. [04:22] - How to make your retrospectives less boring. Boredom buster #1: make them effective—avoid repeating the same issues. [04:43] - Boredom buster #2: transparency is vital in boosting collaboration and trust—create a safe space for open discussions (use anonymous voting to gauge team comfort). [06:10] - Equal say for all (including Scrum Masters), how anonymity empowers everyone and leads to collaborative problem-solving. [07:05] - How setup systems for topic submissions can keep your team from forgetting important issues. [07:36] - Make your retrospectives diverse: different perspectives bring fresh ideas. [08:32] - This is your chance to be creative and invent your own themes to activate your team's brain in a different way. [09:42] - Fun takeaway! Brian shares his one-of-a-kind idea for a unique retrospective theme you can use with your team. [11:49] - Pop culture, the flavor of the day, or non-traditional, Brian shares some more ideas to liven up your retrospective. [12:33] - Or try something completely different: discuss industry trends, company uniqueness, and personal highlights to connect to the bigger picture and deepen team connections. [13:39] - How unleashing the human connection can lead to stronger bonds and better teamwork. [15:40] - Why you should experiment with new ways to revive your retrospectives. [16:48] - New guest episodes are coming up in August! Do you have an Agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us here. [16:51] - A message from our sponsor: Better User Stories, a one-day live online training course with Mike Cohn to improve your user story writing, so your team can do its best work, faster. [17:22] - New guest episodes are coming up in August! Do you have an Agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us here. References and resources mentioned in the show: Scrum Guides Mountain Goat Software’s Better User Stories Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Join Brian Milner in another episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast series on unlocking the secrets of a sustainable pace. Today he’s delving into the power of "No" in Agile. Tune in to discover the truth behind feature usage, prioritize value-driven choices, and tips for mastering the art of saying no without losing your job. Overview Today on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner sheds light on the power of saying "No" in Agile organizations. "No" is an integral part of a healthy Agile organization. Learn how prioritizing value-driven choices empowers success in delivering the highest value to customers every time. Listen in as Brian shares valuable insights on establishing shared desired outcomes to ensure alignment and effective decision-making within teams and organizations. Tune in for practical tips on mastering the art of saying "No" with confidence, navigating challenging conversations, and preserving relationships and job security along the way. Listen Now to Discover: [00:53] - In this episode of our summer series on practicing sustainable pace, Brian Milner talks about how important it is to say no, without losing your job.  [01:40] - Challenging the 64% Myth: Unveiling the Truth Behind Feature Usage (famous Standish Group study on feature utilization and Mike Cohn’s research). [2:15] - The 2019 Feature Adoption Report | Pendo.io White Papers and The Surprising Power of Online Experiments. [02:49] - Slack's monetization woes - unveiling the reality: 70% of features fail to deliver. [03:13] - Product development philosophy: switching course to design features people care about. [04:49] - Unlocking Agile's Key Principle: Product owners must practice saying NO daily in the mirror. [06:34] - Saying no to unlock actual value - selective deliveries for maximum impact and prioritizing quality over quantity in our deliverables. [07:17] - Saying no isn't always easy. [07:32] - Tips for navigating the art of saying no while preserving relationships and job security. [08:50] - How establishing shared desired outcomes in Agile ensures alignment and effective decision-making and fosters collaboration and value to customers. [10:11] - For product owners: how prioritizing value-driven choices ensures success for both the product and the organization. [12:56] - How developers can foster understanding and acknowledge their role while exploring how choices will impact the team and process. [13:39] - A strategic dialogue on overtime requests' downstream effects and impact. [14:54] - NO should be a regular occurrence in a healthy agile organization. [15:08] - A message from our sponsor: Better User Stories, a one-day live online training course with Mike Cohn to improve your user story writing, so your team can do its best work, faster. References and resources mentioned in the show: Standish Group Are 64% of Features Really Rarely or Never Used? #25: Scaling with Henrik Kniberg Product Ownership in a Nutshell Manifesto for Agile Software Development Mountain Goat Software’s Better User Stories Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

In this week's episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner dives deep into the importance of experimentation in Agile organizations. Tune in to learn valuable tips for Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Developers to embrace an experimental mindset. Overview Experimentation is at the heart of Agile's DNA, fueling innovation and continuous improvement. Today on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner explores the fundamental role of experimentation in Agile organizations. "Agile is a framework that allows teams to find the best ways of working together, and this can only be achieved through continuous experimentation." Brian offers his tips for Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Developers to embrace experimentation in their respective roles. Experimentation is a cultural value. Listen in to gain insights into the power of experimentation to unlock the full potential of Agile within your organization. Summer is a great time to explore new approaches and experiment with Agile practices. Join Brian as he shares practical tips and real-world examples to help you embrace an experimental mindset on your Agile journey. Listen Now to Discover: [00:53] - This is the second of our special July episodes where we're taking a break from interviews and focusing on some quick tips you can use. [01:21] - Today, we're diving into the topic of experimentation. [02:53] - What Google says about experimentation [03:46] - What is Empiricism, and what does it have to do with Agile? [04:09] - Unlike traditional product development, Agile operates on a research and development paradigm focused on experimentation and inventing new solutions rather than mass production. [04:35] - Experimentation is really at the heart of what we do in Agile. [05:03] - Experimentation is a cultural value. [06:10] - Wipe the word failure out of your vocabulary. [06:42] - Experiments can go either way, and that's okay. It's just the facts. [07:09] - Three tips for Scrum Masters to embrace experimentation. [10:04] - Three tips for Product Owners to embrace experimentation. [11:44] - How Developers can embrace experimentation. [14:03] - Finding the right balance for your team. References and resources mentioned in the show: Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian takes listeners on a discovery of what sustainable pace is, what it isn’t, and how embracing a culture that is pro work-life balance can lead to not only enhanced well-being for your team members but also help them be more productive. Overview Today on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner is walking listeners through the hidden drawbacks of pushing teams to their limits in a fast-paced work environment and the benefits for work and employee well-being of maintaining a sustainable pace. Brian takes a look at the resurgence of the "crack the whip" mentality and the impact of prioritizing excessive work hours over sustainable practices. Listen in for Brian's tips for creating a culture that embraces sustainability and work-life balance and the transformative impact it can have on individuals, teams, and organizations alike. Listen Now to Discover: [00:53] - Join us in July for quick shorter episodes and valuable insights designed to enhance your Agile journey. We'll be back with full episodes in August! [02:11] - Diving into the topic of sustainable pace: uncover the drawbacks of pushing teams too hard in a fast-paced work environment and why sustainable pace is essential for productivity and employee well-being. [03:49] - The resurgence of the "crack the whip" mentality and its impact on employee morale and quality of work. [4:33] -The philosophy of hardcore work, including a specific example involving Elon Musk and the importance of finding a sustainable work-life balance. [6:04] - Discover the impact of stress on software development through a study by Tsuneo Furuyama to learn how long-term stress factors contribute to 71% of software faults. [7:25] - Pushing people to work nights and weekends has a negative effect on the quality of work. [7:43] - The origin of the concept of sustainable pace in XP and the importance of maintaining a sustainable pace for long-term success. [8:57] - The true meaning of sustainable pace: how to embrace the balance between productivity and personal well-being. [10:14] - The negative consequences of rushing and time pressure in software development. [10:49] - How pushing teams beyond their sustainable pace actually results in more errors, bugs, and delays. [11:14] - A sustainable pace leads to faster and more efficient releases in the long run. [11:53] - There really is something to work-life balance. [12:13] - Brian shares three tips to promote a sustainable pace. [12:56] - A downstream effect of having high stress in your life. [14:14] - What a sustainable pace is all about. [15:31] - Coming up on next week’s show. References and resources mentioned in the show: Tsuneo Furuyama Study Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

In this episode of Agile Mentors, Brian sits down with Lance Dacy to discuss integrating Agile and Scrum practices into the world of data science. Overview In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian sits down with Lance Dacy to discuss integrating Agile and Scrum practices in the world of data science. Tune in to gain insight into the importance of feedback, the stages of the SAS Enterprise Miner initiative, and how frameworks like OSEMN can enhance the data science process. Listen in to learn how to strike the right balance between technical knowledge and product ownership and why culture is crucial in successful Agile implementation within the data science domain. Listen Now to Discover: [01:16] - Brian introduces his guest Lance Dacy, referring to him as "our San Diego Zoo guy" and the topic of today's show using Agile or Scrum practices in a data science world. [02:27] - Lance shares his background in data science and how it fits into the world of Agile. [05:06] - The big reason so many people are against using Agile for data science and where the big rub is. [09:02] - Who cares if it’s Agile or not? Lance shares Jeff Salts's poll about data science and introduces CRISP-DM. [11:05] - The six steps of the cross-industry standard process for data mining. [14:18] - Adopting a Scrum-like approach and treating data science work as smaller phases makes it possible to classify and organize tasks effectively. [15:59] - Does anyone remember the Rational Unified Process? [17:57] - It’s up to you to come up with ideas—once you have them, here's how we get it done. [18:18] - In the world of data science, implementing frameworks like Scrum can lead to misconceptions and failures—the key lies in understanding the layers of data science, navigating the complexities of the work effectively, and making informed decisions. [23:06] - The vital importance of feedback. [23:45] - The stages of the SAS Enterprise Miner initiative. [27:25] Brian introduces the sponsor for the podcast, Mountain Goat Software, and their two-day Certified ScrumMaster Course that’s perfect for anyone who wants to understand Scrum and add value to any team. [28:23] - How the product owner fits in when discussing working with big data. [29:50] Lance introduces the OSEMN process and explains how to solve a problem like a data scientist. [30:47] - When it comes to the role of a product owner, the technical knowledge required depends on the nature of the product. [31:42] - While Scrum lacks explicit guidance on backlog construction, the OSEMN framework themes (obtain, scrub, explore, model, interpret) can be incorporated to align sprint goals with specific aspects of the data science process. [33:47] - The framework or the structure of how you carry it out is less important than the kind of agreement. [35:07] - It's a cultural rather than a process problem. Lance delves into the debate on applying Agile Scrum to research. [36:37] - A fundamental misunderstanding about daily scrums. [37:18] - None of us are smarter than all of us together. Agile and Scrum work well when you know how to solve the problem, and there's a relatively clear path to victory. [38:49] - Brian shares his biggest piece of advice to people considering this in the data science [39:28] - “Data science is just the work that we're trying to do, tailor your process for your team and your culture and always inspect and adapt to try to make it better.” [41:08] - If you have feedback for the show or topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here (if you have yet to get a response, send another one as something has gone wrong in the process). And don’t forget to subscribe to the “Agile Mentors” Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. And if you are a data scientist or work in big data and found the information in this valuable, let one of your co-workers know about it. References and resources mentioned in the show: Data Science Process Alliance CRISP-DM OSEMN Scrum and Data Science Agile Mentors Blog Topic: Decision Science - What methodology fits best? Certified ScrumMaster Training and Scrum Certification Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant's heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away.

Unveiling the truth behind Agile coaching! Brian sits down with Lucy O'Keefe to debunk the misconceptions, share the keys to effective coaching, and share their insight on the one-two punch of training and coaching for sustainable success. Overview In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian sits down with Lucy O'Keefe to debunk the misconceptions and unveil the true role of Agile coaches. They share their personal stories and revelations and explore the pros and cons of moving from Scrum Master to Agile coach. They'll walk listeners through the transformative power of external perspectives, navigating conflicts, and the collaborative mindset that fosters meaningful change. Plus, hear Lucy's invaluable advice on finding mentors and embarking on the journey to becoming a certified Team Coach. Listen Now to Discover: [01:10] - Brian welcomes CTC Agile Coach & Trainer Lucy O'Keefe, to the show for today’s discussion on the true role (and the common misconceptions about) of an Agile coach [02:17] - Lucy shares her initial misconception about agile coaches and how it shaped her perception of their role. [03:02] - Brian relates his experience with the term "Agile Coach" and his revelation when delving into the subject. [04:16] - Lucy and Brian reflect on their transitions from exceptional Scrum Masters to agile coaching roles. [05:53] - The pros, cons, and trade-offs of transitioning from a Scrum Master to an Agile coach. [06:32] - The shift in focus that comes with Agile coaching and what to consider to determine if this change aligns with your preferences and career aspirations. [07:12] - There's nothing wrong with being a kick *** Scrum Master. The world needs lots more like you. [07:51] -How your role as a coach involves assisting your team and organization in their pursuit of progress (or debunking the myth of perfection in Agile). [08:11] - An Agile coach is NOT merely an elevated Scrum Master. [08:33] - The two opposing misconceptions about Agile coaching and the multifaceted aspects of coaching by Bob Galen. [09:20] - Lucy emphasizes the importance of wearing multiple hats and the diverse skills required as an Agile coach. [10:26] -Avoid the “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” scenario and ensure effective communication. [11:16] - Learn to read the signs and strike the right balance to avoid frustrating situations and empower meaningful progress. [11:54] - Professional coaching requires a willingness to engage deeply and tackle tough issues. [13:38] - Knowing where to step in and when it's time not to step in. [14:07] - Brian introduces the sponsor for this podcast episode, Mountain Goat Software, and their exceptional Scrum certification classes that go beyond a traditional online whiteboard for a fun and effective way to achieve learning objectives. [14:52] - Effectively communicating the value proposition of having a team or enterprise coach. [15:41] - The dynamics of internal and external coaches within organizations. And the transformative impact that external coaches can have on an organization’s ability to address impediments effectively. [16:58] - Lucy shares how to approach coaching with a collaborative mindset, helping organizations see the value of change rather than imposing it and the questions. Agile coaches conduct assessments to uncover hidden issues to guide organizations to the areas for improvement. [19:18] - Resistance to change often stems from fear of the unknown rather than change itself. [19:57] - The most important thing to understand to help organizations reach the outcome they want and make the changes they need to make to get there. [20:15] - Brian draws a parallel between the value of a coach and that of a therapist and how an outside viewpoint proves highly beneficial in understanding and addressing systemic issues within teams. [21:29] - Asking the right questions to resolve the underlying issues through Agile coaching. [22:42] - What coaches can and can't help with—knowing your limits as a coach and the lines NOT to cross to keep your coaching journey on track. [23:40] -Don't settle for just training; go for the one-two punch of training and coaching—the winning combination that propels sustainable change. [25:48] -Why would you need to take a class? Even Bob Galen realizes he always needs to grow and learn in what he’s doing to avoid becoming irrelevant. [26:37] - Act with curiosity, but not curiosity for our own sake. [27:30] - Lucy offers her advice for people who want to become a Certified Team Coach (CTC). [29:02] - How to find the mentors that will offer you the most growth. [29:55] If you have feedback for the show or topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here (if you have yet to get a response, send another one as something has gone wrong in the process). And don’t forget to subscribe to the “Agile Mentors” Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [30:49] - Remember that Brian and Mike will speak at this year's Agile 2023 Conference in Orlando in July. References and resources mentioned in the show: #42: The Importance of Self-Mastery with Bob Galen Agile2023! Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the "Agile Mentors" Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lucy O'Keefe has over 28 years of IT experience and has worn multiple hats in the Agile world - developer, Product Owner, and Scrum Master and now, as a Teaching Assistant, where she leverages her diverse background to ensure students have an exceptional training experience.

Join Brian and Agile pioneer Jim Highsmith as they dive into the riveting saga of 17 tech rebels who defied convention, unleashed their passions, and revolutionized the world of software development. Overview In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian sits down with Agile pioneer Jim Highsmith to share how 17 tech rebels reshaped the software landscape. Jim shares captivating stories from his time working with NASA and Nike to the collaboration of 17 nonconformists that led to the Agile Manifesto and transformed the software industry. Listen in for a behind-the-scenes look at the circumstances that led to the birth of Agile and how camaraderie, collaboration, and a human-centric approach sparked a wildfire of support for the Agile movement. Tune in to this episode for insights, lessons, and a glimpse into the future of Agile from an industry legend. Listen Now to Discover: [01:10] - Brian introduces Jim Highsmith, a renowned figure in the Agile community. Jim is an experienced software developer, writer, and storyteller. His latest book, "Wild West to Agile," has become a sensation in the industry, earning the top spot as a new release on Amazon. He also co-authored the Agile Manifesto and the Declaration of Interdependence for Project Leaders, co-founded the Agile Alliance, and served as the first president of the Agile Leadership Network. [03:57] - Jim recounts his journey working on the NASA Apollo program and how the constant advancements in technology shaped the course of the Apollo project, offering valuable insights into the era's challenges and adaptability. [08:47] - Jim shares a fascinating story from his time at Nike, where outdated requirements left a project stagnant for 18 months. [10:34] - How waterfall methodologies left companies trapped and projects taking too long and costing too much. [11:53] - Setting the stage for the revolutionary Agile movement. [13:16] - A problem so painful leadership was on board to find a solution. [14:48] - A message from our sponsor: Mountain Goat Software has courses from Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification to Certified Scrum Product Owner Training that equips you with the sought-after skills valued by top-notch teams. Visit the Mountain Goat website for all the details. [15:40] -Jim reveals the connections and common ground that started the manifesto meeting. [18:21] - An agenda-free meeting with 17 nonconformist experts seeking common ground and how an encounter with Steve Mellor led to an unexpected alignment of intent. [21:01] - 17 individuals, each with nonconformist perspectives, agree. [21:17] - Why did 17 audacious techies revolutionize the world? And what lessons can we learn from their experience for the future? [23:39] - Where Agile's lasting impact lies and what keeps it at the forefront of change. [24:39] - Putting aside competition for collaboration and cooperation that led to change. [25:30] - What keeps Agile at the forefront of change? Brian shares a nugget of wisdom from Jim's book about Agilists. [26:38] - Finally, a language that spoke to us all!—how the Agile movement shattered the notion of interchangeable cogs and embraced our humanity, sparking a wildfire of support. [27:59] - Jim shares his thoughts on where he thinks the Agile movement is headed and why he thinks the agility of organizations and people will be a definite advantage in the future. [29:56] - Brian mentions his high recommendation for listeners to pick up Jim’s book, Wild West to Agile: Adventures in Software Development Evolution and Revolution. [31:38] - There are a ton of podcasts out there; thank you for taking the time to listen to this one. And don’t forget to subscribe to the “Agile Mentors” Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [32:05] - If you've considered taking a CSM or CSPO class, check us out at Mountain Goat Software. Or join the conversation in our Agile Mentors Community. [32:32] - If you have feedback for the show or topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here, and I'll get back to you ASAP. References and resources mentioned in the show: Jim Highsmith Jim Highsmith on LinkedIn Wild West to Agile Agile Manifesto Agile Alliance Agile Leadership Network Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the "Agile Mentors" Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Jim Highsmith is an experienced software developer, writer, storyteller, and industry pioneer recognized for his instrumental role in the birth of the Agile movement. His latest book, "Wild West to Agile," has become a sensation in the industry, earning the top spot as a new release on Amazon. Jim continues to inspire and guide Agile enthusiasts worldwide through his insightful stories and expertise.

Gain insights into building cohesive and agile teams that bleed into each other and explore how conflicts can be transformed into opportunities for growth and improvement when Brian and his guest Julie Chickering delve into how to create team safety. Overview: In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian sits down with Julie Chickering to explore the topic of team safety. They dive deep into the concept of psychological safety and its impact on team dynamics and productivity. From navigating conflicts and encouraging participation to embracing multiple perspectives and detaching personal worth from ideas, Brian and Julie provide valuable insights and actionable advice for Scrum Masters and team members alike. Join them as they uncover the secrets to creating a cohesive and psychologically safe environment where teams thrive and excel. Listen Now to Discover: [01:12] - Brian welcomes Julie Chickering back to the show. Teams need to feel safe and agile to be successful; that's a foundational aspect of a team. So, we're talking about team safety today. [02:12] - Julie shares how one Manhattan bartender described her team that works well together; she says it feels like "we bleed into each other." [04:11] - Sometimes people misuse or abuse the safe space, having each other's back as a license to be rude. [04:57] - From pointing fingers to fixing problems together. [05:39] - Julie shares a book called "The Culture Playbook" by Daniel Coyle and a quote on distinguishing between relational conflict and task conflict. [06:38] - Protecting team dynamics: Learn how to navigate conflicts that escalate into personal territory and regain focus on improvement. [07:37] - Effective strategies to steer discussions back to areas of agreement and keep the focus on facts. [08:09] - Embracing multiple perspectives: Explore scenarios where opposing ideas are equally feasible and the importance of making a choice and moving forward. [08:51] - Sometimes safety is misconstrued and used to stop discussions. [09:17] - How to encourage participation based on comfort levels and through smaller group sharing. [10:00] - The true meaning of safety. [10:54] - Tension-free environments don't always lead to productive cultures: why disagreements are vital for meaningful discussions. [11:33] - Detaching personal worth from ideas so you can focus on finding the best solution (vital as the Scrum Master). [12:42] - How to facilitate conversations by focusing on facts and using visual aids to encourage objectively analyzing multiple ideas. [13:00] - Nurturing sensitive team members: strategies to create a sense of safety for individuals who are more susceptible to critique to ensure them of the value of their contributions. [14:13] - Why you should avoid labeling opinions as “wrong” and how assuming positive intent fosters a sense of safety. [14:45] - The challenge of assuming positive intent (especially in written communication). [15:21] - How to empower team members to define operating agreements that foster a sense of safety and a respectful working environment. [17:23] - This podcast is sponsored by Mountain Goat Software's Certified Scrum classes, including Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Advanced Certified Scrum Master (ACSM), and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (ACSPO). Mike Cohn taught his first Scrum classes in 1997, and since then, more than 24K people have chosen to train with Mountain Goat Software. All certified classes include a twelve-month Agile Mentors Community membership. [18:08] - How to open communication lines when unintentional offenses occur during interactions. [18:49] - Scrum, though a simple framework, becomes complex when people's dynamics come into play. [19:22] - Brian shares that achieving psychological safety requires a cultural shift and agreement among team members to express opinions freely. [20:54] - Julie shares why psychological safety matters. [22:09] - When the swirl of uncertainty and lack of safety is removed, teams can accomplish more due to increased productivity and effectiveness. [22:34] - Brian shares some tips for Scrum Masters to make psychological safety a focal point if it is lacking within their teams. [23:40] - Julie discusses the importance of understanding and supporting team members beyond Scrum practices and offers advice on ensuring everyone on the team is heard. [25:15] - The secret to team cohesion: how sharing coffee preferences can build a sense of safety and collaboration within your team. [25:51] - Julie explores the challenge of fostering a sense of team and safety at the corporate level and why starting at the team level is the key to cultivating a culture of trust and psychological safety, even in the face of external obstacles. [27:31] - Julie delves into why teams work in a particular way and how aligning work practices with the desired outcomes can positively impact results. [28:04] - How fostering psychological safety improves human interactions and drives better products, higher quality, and faster delivery. [28:51] - How to address safety concerns with higher-ups. [29:53] - The dangers of dismantling high-performing teams prematurely: the importance of nurturing team cohesion and the pitfalls of overlooking this critical aspect. [30:42] - Brian shares how protecting the team sometimes involves making tough decisions and advocating for a better fit for both the individual and the team. [32:06] - Julie’s parting advice encourages teams to assess their current state, ask critical questions, and collaboratively work towards creating a more cohesive and psychologically safe environment. [33:06] - If you have feedback for the show or topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here. And don’t forget to subscribe to the “Agile Mentors” Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. [33:46] - Look for a different type of show coming to you during our July "break." References and resources mentioned in the show: The Culture Playbook: 60 Highly Effective Actions to Help Your Group Succeed Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Julie Chickering is the brains and brawn behind JC Agile Consulting, believes that Lean and Agile practices are packed with potential — to enable positive culture change, business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie is a past president and board member of the Agile Project Management Network (APLN), a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), as well as a traditional Project Management Professional (PMP).

Join Brian and his guest Lance Dacy as they explore the key differences, skill sets required, and the exciting opportunities in the roles of Scrum Master and Product Owner. Overview In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian sits down with Lance Dacy to explore the dynamic roles of Scrum Master and Product Owner. They delve into the fundamental differences between these roles, highlighting the unique skill sets required for each. Lance shares his valuable insights and personal experiences, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that arise in these pivotal positions. Whether you're considering a career in Agile or seeking to enhance your understanding of Scrum, listen in to this episode for practical advice and guidance for aspiring Scrum Masters and Product Owners and a deeper understanding of the crucial roles they play in driving successful projects and maximizing team productivity. Listen Now to Discover: [01:17] - Brian Milner has Lance Dacy on the show today to talk about a question emailed to the listener email address about the two different approaches to Scrum and which class would be a good fit for you, a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO). [02:28] - Lance shares how he looks at the two different designations and what he looks at as the centerpiece of the process of Scrum. [03:24] - Things to consider when deciding whether the CSM or the CSPO is right for you. [04:34] - Where to start your Scrum journey as a beginner and when taking both the CSM and the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) classes might be beneficial. [05:28] - You don't have to be a Scrum Master to benefit from the CSM class. [05:54] - The dual focus of the Product Owner roles and the diminishment of Scrum roles. [06:45] - The challenge of combining these roles effectively. [07:54] - The goal is to be agile rather than just doing Scrum-Lance shares the importance of delivering value efficiently and early. Relegating the Scrum Master to facilitation and metrics tasks yields minimal ROI. [08:28] - Do you ever see the coach playing the game? [09:10] - Scrum is a tool - you have to know the tools, how to apply them, and, more importantly, how to use them for the appropriate case. [10:16] - The distinction between programmers (those who code) and developers (anyone working to produce the product) and a look back at the developer role in Scrum. [11:34] - What confuses most people about the different classes and roles. [12:28] - The importance (and top challenges teams face) of capacity planning, Sprint planning, and daily work management in Scrum teams. Lance shares why addressing these aspects is valuable for software and product teams, including marketing and infrastructure teams. [13:44] - The value of certifications as a standard and an advantage in certain situations, but it's like learning to drive - experience is crucial. [15:42] - The importance of learning the values, principles, and tools associated with Agile methodologies to engage in experimentation and gain practical experience, whether a CSM, CSPO, or CSV. [16:25] - How active involvement in user groups and communities (such as the DFW Scrum user group) provides valuable insights and career benefits, fostering collective knowledge sharing and continuous learning in Scrum (and beyond). [17:23] - Mountain Goat Software, the sponsor for this podcast, offers certified LIVE online Scrum classes, including Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Advanced Certified Scrum Master (ACSM) and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (ACSPO) classes. Book more than three weeks in advance for an early bird discount of $100. [18:38] - Lance shares the three characteristics of a great product owner. [19:28] - Advice for what you should do if you’re starting from scratch and aiming to become a product owner to gain exposure and valuable experience in the field. [21:28] - The likelihood of moving from Scrum Master to product owner rather than vice versa. [22:47] - The four requirements of becoming a Scrum Master requires strong facilitation, teaching, mentoring, and coaching skills, and the demands of being a product owner that makes it a higher barrier for entry. [23:52] - The focus of a Scrum Master vs. a product owner. [24:48] - It's like being the Zamboni for a hockey team—as a Scrum Master, you have the opportunity to work in diverse industries, ranging from space science and astrophysics to finance and software development, without being an expert in those domains. [26:34] - A safer environment for experimentation and growth without the high stakes of individual accountability. [26:58] - Brian shares the primary determining factor in deciding between product owner or Scrum master. [27:51] - In the movie-making industry, like in software teams, there are distinct roles and responsibilities. You can choose to define the problem, manage the process, or contribute to building the product—pick your door and start running (and if you don't like it, you can always switch). [29:06] Real knowledge comes from doing, BUT a class can get you started on the right foot to understanding how to do things and getting your hands dirty to cement further what you want to do. [30:26] - Lance shares how obtaining a CSM or CSPO certification is like earning a black belt in karate—it's a pathway that empowers you to explore. [33:24] - Still on the fence? Send us a note, and we'll gladly help you find your path. [33:40] - Check out the Mountain Goat's training schedule to attend a class with Lance or Brian. [34:01] - Exciting news! We have introduced an Agile Professional Directory to our Agile Mentors community. As a member, you can now sign up and claim your certifications, allowing you to showcase your expertise when interacting with others on the site. [34:35] - Don’t forget, Mountain Goat Software offers a range of classes, including Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Advanced Certified Scrum Master (ACSM), and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (ACSPO). We love having podcast listeners join our classes to explore further the topics discussed on the show (click here to subscribe). References and resources mentioned in the show: Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification Certified Scrum Product Owner Training Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner® #4: The Developer Role in Scrum with Sherman Gomberg DFW Scrum (Dallas, TX) | Meetup Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant's heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away.

Join Brian as he rediscovers and relives the most captivating topics, memorable guests, and impactful topics from the first year of the “Agile Mentors” podcast. Overview From deep dives into Agile methodologies and practical tips for using your knowledge to benefit others and foster change, the first 50 episodes of the “Agile Mentor” podcast have been filled with fascinating topics and memorable guests. In this episode, Brian Milner embarks on a retrospective journey through the inaugural year of the show. Listen in as he shares the real stars of the podcast, the moments that surprised him, those that took him out of his comfort zone, and the ones that inspired him to push to be better every day! Plus, what’s next for the show. Listen Now to Discover: [00:45] - Brian introduces the retrospective episode to celebrate one year and 50 episodes of the "Agile Mentors" podcast and share what's next. [01:54] - A thank you for YOUR role in the show. [02:17] - The role of marrying the right topic to the right guest. [02:56] - The format that allows listeners to choose the episodes that interest them the most. [04:03] - Pointing you toward the best of the best. Our first several episodes were focused on the Agile Framework and some core topics, including having Mike Cohn on to talk about the different roles and generally accepted practices. [05:13] - Sending out thanks to a few of our guests, including the trainers at Mountain Goat Software, including Lance Dacy. [05:45] - Kert Peterson joined us to share his knowledge, and Scott Dunn shared his insight from the product owner's perspective. [06:05] - On episode 16, Mitch Lacey joined us to discuss The Hidden Secret Ingredient And Julie Chickering brought a great perspective from a project management background and applying that to some of the stuff we've discussed here on the show. [06:39] - The time when one of my mentors joined us on the show to discuss transformation. [07:08] - Learning about coaching and marketing from the best! [07:27] - Roman Pitchler joined us to discuss product roadmaps and planning things from a product owner perspective. And John Miller shared about using Scrum in the education environment. [07:46] - On EP25, Henrik Nieberg came on and talked to us about scaling, and on EP27, Tricia Broderick walked us through leadership without blame. [08:18] - How Scrum can be applied outside of software development and mob programming. [08:42] - The key to working with humans. [09:03] - The episode that surprised Brian a little bit. [09:34] - Three episodes all about change: The first one was about how one organization uses Scrum to help impoverished micro-entrepreneurs succeed (and change their lives). The second featured Chris Li sharing his insight on how to know when it’s time to strike out on your own, and Karim Harbott walked us through the difficulty of transforming an organization's culture. [10:25] - The episode that inspired Brian to try to push in different ways to get better. And how to cultivate an Agile culture in a virtual world. [10:53] - Why transformations take people, how to assess a company’s culture before you accept their job offer, and lean thinking in Agile with Bob Payne. [11:49] - The real stars of the podcast. [12:30] - What’s ahead for the podcast? [13:02] - Stepping off the gas a bit. [13:45] - Virtual dial—targeted tips. [14:32] - The lifeblood of the “Agile Mentors” podcast. [15:06] - Mike Cohn and Brian are both presenting at Agile2023 in Orlando, July 24 through 28th. [15:39] - The most significant benefit of BIG conferences. [16:41] - Thank you for getting us to a year and 50 episodes! Join the Agile Mentors Community to continue the discussion. If you have topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here. And don’t forget to subscribe to the “Agile Mentors” Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Agile2023 | Orlando, Florida | Agile Alliance #1: Scrum vs Agile & Keys to Success with Mike Cohn #3: What Makes a Great Product Owner? With Lance Dacy #9: Scrum Artifacts with Kert Peterson #10: Why User Stories are the Best Way to Capture Requirements with Mike Cohn #17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks #18 Coaching in an Agile World with Lyssa Adkins #21: Agile Marketing Teams with Stacey Ackerman #22: How to Create Helpful Product Roadmaps with Roman Pichler #23 How Agile Works in Education with John Miller #25: Scaling with Henrik Kniberg #27: Leading Without Blame with Tricia Broderick #29: Influencing Up with Scott Dunn #32: Scrum in High School Sports with Cort Sharp #33 Mob Programming with Woody Zuill #34: I'm Trained, Now What? with Julie Chickering #37: Servant Leadership, Not Spineless Leadership with Brad Swanson #38: Using Agile for Social and Societal Transformation with Kubair Shirazee #40: Is it Time to Go Out on Your Own? Tips and Insights with Chris Li #41: Cultural Transformation in Organizations with Karim Harbott #42: The Importance of Self-Mastery with Bob Galen #43: Cultivating Agile Team Culture in a Virtual World with Richard Cheng #44: Transformations Take People with Anu Smalley #46: How to Assess Company Culture Before Accepting a Job Offer with Christina Ambers #47: Exploring Lean Thinking in Agile Development with Bob Payne Mountain Good Software's Certified Product Owner course Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Join Brian and his guests, Janet Gregory, and Lisa Crispin, as they share their expertise on integrating testing into Agile teams. Discover how to bridge the gap between programmers and testers for collaboration and success. Overview In this episode of the "Agile Mentors," Brian Milner sits down with Janet Gregory and Lisa Crispin, founders of Agile Testing Fellowship, to discuss integrating testing into Agile teams. They discuss the history of the divide between programmers and testers and the importance of collaboration and communication between the two groups. Listen in as they explore the different levels of holistic testing, the mindset shift needed for bug prevention, and the tools and strategies for planning and estimating testing activities. Plus, the role of AI in testing. Listen Now to Discover: [00:05] - Brian Milner introduces the guests for this episode, Janet Gregory and Lisa Crispin, who are advocates for integrating testing into Agile teams and the Founders of Agile Testing Fellowship. [02:25] - Lisa explains the most important goal for collaboration and success. [03:34] - Janet talks about the history of the gulf between programmers and testers. [05:09] - How to bridge the gap between programmers and testers and the value of collaboration. [07:29] - What the values of Agile and Extreme Programming emphasize. [09:49] - The mindset shift needed for bug prevention. [11:17] - Managers behaving badly—Brian shares a story about how measuring the wrong things can drive the wrong behaviors. [12:13] Brian discusses the micro view of testing instead of a system view. [12:17] How to handle intense forms of testing that take a long time to complete. [14:02] Janet explains the different levels of testing and that teams should determine where testing belongs based on when it can be performed earliest. [15:23] Avoiding a "hardening sprint." [16:48] Lisa shares how to use visual models like the agile testing quadrants and the holistic testing model to help plan and communicate the testing activities needed throughout the software development lifecycle. [17:25] The website where you can find the training written by Lisa and Janet, including “More Agile Testing” and “Agile Testing Condensed” (recently released), and where you can download the FREE Mini-book "Holistic Testing: Weave Quality into your Product." [18:29] - Brian introduces the sponsor for the podcast, Mountain Goat Software. If you are thinking about getting certified as a Scrum Master, check out the resources and training options where certification classes are available every week. [19:26] - The key to fitting testing into a normal sprint cycle and integrating testing with other system pieces. [20:52] - Janet shares a tip for ensuring testing is not overlooked. [20:59] - Lisa shares how to remind teams to do testing at the right time. [22:31] - Why have a visible reminder for testing? [23:54] - The importance of accounting for testing and not treating it as a separate thing to do. [24:37] - Lisa shares her experience using planning poker for estimation and her preference to get every story the same size so they can be completed in a day or two. [25:50] - Janet suggests sizing stories and estimating tasks, why she estimates her tasks herself, and what she’s learned in that process. [26:44] -How to reduce the time needed in estimation meetings: Lisa shares some insight to identify when a story is too big and needs to be split up. [27:35] - The importance of conversation and understanding to avoid creating a wall between programmers and testers during estimation. [28:03] - Another tool in the toolbox: how Chat GPT will revolutionize testing (and who it might replace). [29:01] - There will never be enough time to do all the testing required. [29:31] - Lisa highlights how AI as a tool saves time with testing and allows more time for critical thinking skills. [30:12] - The need for a human presence in the use of AI. [31:19] - Janet shares information about her and Lisa's two courses, Basic Strategies for Agile Teams and Holistic Testing for Continuous Delivery, based on the Holistic testing model of looking at testing activities throughout the software development lifecycle. These courses can be found here. [36:37] Lisa mentions that her book, “Assessing Agile Quality Practices” helps teams identify where they are and where they can improve, using a framework that looks at ten different quality aspects. Plus, information on the book they are working on now on how to facilitate an assessment. [39:03] - Brian provides a list of resources available from Lisa and Janet, including their books “Agile Testing Condensed: A Brief Introduction” “Agile Testing,” “More Agile Testing,” and Assessing Agile Quality Practices and their "Holistic Testing: Weave Quality into Your Product” free download. [40:14] - Join the Agile Mentors Community to continue the discussion. If you have topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here. And don’t forget to subscribe to the “Agile Mentors” Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Agile Testing Fellowship Agile Testing - The Book Agile Testing Condensed: A Brief Introduction More Agile Testing Holistic Testing: Weave Quality into Your Product Assessing Agile Quality Practices Mountain Good Software's Advanced Certified Product Owner course Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lisa Crispin is the Co-founder of the Agile Testing Fellowship, an author, and an Agile tester and coach, who helps practitioners deliver quality software frequently and sustainably. Janet Gregory is the Co-founder of the Agile Testing Fellowship, an author, and a consultant, specializing in building quality systems and helping companies promote agile quality processes.

Join Brian and his guest Bob Payne as they discuss the principles of lean thinking and how they apply to Agile methodologies. Overview In this episode of the “Agile Mentors” Podcast, Brian sits down with Bob Payne to discuss the intersection of Agile and lean thinking. As an experienced Agile coach and host of the “Agile Toolkit Podcast,” Bob shares his insights and offers practical tips for implementing lean thinking in your own team. Listen in as they explore the fundamental principles of lean thinking in Agile methodologies. They discuss managing flow, not workers, and the importance of continuous improvement and experimentation to achieve sustainable, high-quality results in your organization and success in today's fast-paced business environment. Listen Now to Discover: [01:23] - Brian welcomes Bob Payne, the Senior Vice President of Training and Coaching at Lithespeed, as well as the host of the “Agile Toolkit Podcast” and the Chairman of the Agile DC Conference. Bob is here to discuss lean systems and lean thinking. [03:57] - Bob explains how lean thinking is connected to Agile methods in knowledge work. [07:30] - Agile methods generate value through teamwork that ultimately ends up in the customer's hands, and lean thinking is the larger circle that encompasses these methods. [08:24] - Lean thinking involves discipline and continuous improvement, which are essential characteristics for any successful team. [10:30] - Lean thinking also considers the sustainability of the workforce—workers are seen as producing value, while management is there to create the system that makes them the most effective. [11:31] - Lean thinking provides inspiration for visual management systems (such as Kanban boards) to track work which is incredibly powerful (and were not invented by Agile methods). [11:47] - Lean didn't just appear out of thin air; it built off of multiple things. [12:17] - Lean principles are foundational, and empiricism is built into lean. [14:34] - Bob shares that visualizing work is crucial to managing it effectively and citing the example of Toyota's electronic boards. [15:52] - Managing the flow of work, not the workers. We aim for cross-functional, self-organizing teams in an Agile team to get the job done. [17:05] - Bob shares an analogy about the workflow in a coffee shop. [17:41] - Bob shares the lean thinking philosophy and discusses the use of on-demand planning and continuous improvement. [19:14] - Brian introduces the sponsor for the podcast, Mountain Goat Software, which offers various training options for Agile methodologies. You can find their training schedule here. [19:46] - The difference between fixing the system and fixing the people in terms of leadership— Brian highlights the importance of a holistic view of the organizational structure to support the work and the workers in lean thinking. [20:36] - Brian shares the importance of limiting work in process within Scrum. He shares his experiences with XP teams and emphasizes the need to identify blockages and fix the source, not (just) the symptom. [23:03] - Bob and Brian discuss how Agile methods often miss local optimization, focusing on fixing bottlenecks instead of making other parts of the process more efficient. [25:23] - Bob shares how the focus on DevOps and better tooling has enabled Agile teams to go faster while maintaining safety (and avoiding burnout). [26:30] - Bob shares a talk called "Project to Product: Practical Realities at Large Scale Enterprises,” Kevin Fisher gave at a DevOps conference about an end-to-end value stream analysis. [27:40] - Bob discusses the need for a shift towards prioritizing rapid building and getting products to market, as Jeff Patton and Marty Cagan advocate. [28:37] - Bottlenecks? What the Scrum Master should focus on. [29:27] -Understanding the theory and philosophy behind Agile rather than just focusing on the practices is important. Brian shares why he believes it's crucial to recognize that the system needs to be fixed, not the worker. [30:49] - Understanding the theory and philosophy behind Agile methodologies rather than just focusing on the practices for more successful teams is essential. [31:18] - Bob talks about how teams should experiment with different ways of doing things and shares the early Agilists were making stuff up and pulling together ideas that worked. He spends the first hour and a half of his classes talking about the history and mindset of Agile and lays out these principles with case studies. [35:24] - Check out Bob Payne’s work on his podcast, “Agile Toolkit Podcast,” and at Lithespeed. [36:08] - Join the Agile Mentors Community to continue the discussion. If you have topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here. And don’t forget to subscribe to the “Agile Mentors” Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: Lithespeed "Agile Toolkit Podcast” Agile DC Conference Project to Product: Practical Realities at Large Scale Enterprises Mountain Goat Software's Advanced Certified Product Owner course Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Bob Payne is an industry-leading Lean+Agile Transformation leader with over 20 years of experience. He is the SVP of Enterprise Transformation at Lithespeed, the host of the “Agile Toolkit Podcast," and the Chair of the Agile DC Conference. With a wealth of practical experience, Bob has been a trusted advisor to executives, teams, and management at leading firms such as Walmart, National Geographic, and Samsung.

Join Brian and guest Christina Ambers on this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast as they discuss the importance of asking the right questions during a job interview to determine if a company (and its culture) is a good fit for you. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian sits down with Christina Ambers to discuss the most important questions to ask during a job interview for an Agile role and the yellow and red flags to look out for. Listen in as Christina shares her insights on which questions to ask in order to probe deeper and better understand the company's values and culture to assess whether the role is a good fit for you as a candidate. Whether you're a job seeker or a hiring manager, this episode offers valuable insights into ensuring a good match between the company and the candidate. Listen Now to Discover: [01:13] - Brian welcomes Christina Ambers to the Agile Mentors podcast. Christina is an Agile Enthusiast, Enterprise Coach, Speaker, and owner of SMART ACE Formula. She’s also an active member of the Agile Mentors Community. Today we're discussing the topic of interview questions and why it's essential to ask questions during an interview. [02:31] - Christina explains how asking questions during an interview allows the candidate to interview the company to see if it's a good fit for you. [02:48] - Brian shares that having questions prepared shows a level of preparedness and readiness for the interview to determine if the company is the right fit for you, especially in today's job market with increased layoffs. [03:54] - How asking the right questions can save you from frustration and a dead-end career [05:01] - Christina shares a good starting point for asking questions that will help you determine what it's like to work at a company and help you get a sense of their culture. [05:35] - Brian shares a tip on weeding out vague answers about culture and offers a warning of what to look for as an indicator that the culture isn't great. [07:04] - Christina adds that if the interviewer relates culture to food or other benefits, it’s another warning sign that culture might not be taken seriously in the organization. [07:58] - Christina suggests that these red flags could also be opportunities to improve the company culture if it's an area you excel in, offering a chance to make a positive impact and provide you with some job security. [8:37] - Brian suggests asking a question that puts the interviewer at ease and helps them focus on the company's culture and offers an example [09:09] - Christina shares her favorite question to ask in an interview, sharing that this question helps her understand what the interviewer expects out of your role. [09:44] - Christina shares that if an organization's culture isn't conducive to improvement, that could be a red flag. [10:36] - More than just a warm body—why it's essential to clarify what is expected of your role BEFORE you take the job. [11:09] - How to avoid being the “new Dave.” [11:46] - Christina shares how asking questions about the outcomes and responsibilities of the role can help a candidate identify any hidden or unexpected aspects of the position that were not included in the job description. [12:30] - Asking the right questions to avoid misunderstandings (and wasted time and effort)— Brian shares his experience of being misled during the interview process by a company that claimed to be interested in agile methodology. [13:50] - How flipping the question can help clarify what outcomes they expect from the role, especially when talking to the team, to understand how to be successful in the position. [14:28] - Christina talks about clarifying whether the role is a replacement or a new role and how the company values the role. [15:04] - Christina shares her concern about the company's expectations being too high, especially for a new role. She suggests asking whether the company is ready for the change and how much they value the new position. [15:41] - Brian adds that asking how the team's performance is measured is essential. He recommends understanding what the company is trying to accomplish with the team. [16:49] - Christina shares some yellow flags that provide room to grow and an opportunity for coaching. [18:08] - Brian recommends asking how the company invests in employee growth to determine how they value individuals versus teams. [18:40] - Brian shares the sponsor for today’s episode, Mountain Goat Software's Certified Scrum Product Owner Training which teaches how to use the product backlog as a tool for project success. [19:17] - Christina talks about inquiring about how the company connects developers to actual customers. [20:36] - A passion for continuing education: Christina recommends asking about how the company values additional learning experiences and how they reward individuals versus teams for continuing education. [23:56] - Avoiding potential red flags. [24:46] - Christina suggests asking about the company's changes since COVID-19 to find out how they respond to significant disruption and delving into employee longevity. [25:58] - Brian emphasizes the importance of asking questions during the interview process to determine how Agile a company is right now and how they actually care for their employees vs. just what they can deliver. [27:44] - The value of talking to other employees in the company. [28:32] - How to determine how a company views work/life balance (and their flexibility for work from home). [29:35] - Probing a company's attitude towards offshore or outsourced employees in relation to their in-office employees before starting to work for them. [30:18] - Success isn't measured by simply sitting at a desk and typing—watching out for red flags indicating the company hasn't figured out what success means to its customers. [31:05] - Determining the Agile framework of your future team. [32:15] - What does Scrum mean to you—there might be more than one answer—how to find out and what follow-up questions to ask. [32:50] - Connect with Christina in the Agile Mentors Community or check out SMART ACE Formula. [33:39] - Join the Agile Mentors Community community to continue the discussion. If you have topics for future episodes, email us by clicking here. And don’t forget to Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. References and resources mentioned in the show: SMART ACE Formula Mountain Good Software's Certified Product Owner course Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Christina Ambers is a certified Scrum Master, Agile, and Kanban Coach with over 16 years of experience in software development and transformations. She is passionate about unlocking agile potential, inspiring teams to succeed, and applies agility and lean concepts in her everyday life. Christina is a founding member of the SMART ACE Formula and has worked with companies of all sizes and industries to help teams collaborate and work more effectively.

Join Brian and guest Scott Dunn as they share practical tips on navigating the challenges and achieving success in implementing Agile practices in regulatory environments on this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast. Overview: In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian and Scott Dunn delve into the challenges of implementing Agile practices in regulatory environments. They discuss the importance of finding ways to work within regulatory frameworks, building trust with stakeholders, and adapting Agile principles to fit the unique needs of the organization. Listen in to discover practical strategies for navigating regulatory hurdles, effective communication with regulators and customers, and building a culture of continuous improvement in highly regulated industries. Listen Now to Discover: [01:30] - Brian welcomes Scott Dunn to the Agile Mentors podcast. Scott is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience. Today's show is focused on the listener-inspired topic of implementing Agile in regulatory environments. (If you want to hear something specific, you can email us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com). [02:31] - Change is hard. Sometimes you must dig deeper into the reasons for resistance, as it may not always be related to regulatory requirements. [03:09] - Scott shares his experience working in a compliance-heavy environment, noting that the people responsible for compliance may not always fully understand the regulations. [04:16] - Scott emphasizes the importance of researching the regulations independently. In his experience, mindset and willingness are key factors in successfully implementing Agile in regulatory environments. [06:05] - Brian shares an anecdote about a pushback he received in a private class about whether Agile principles would work in the real world. [07:59] - Scott shares a recent experience on a call with a Prime contractor for the government, where they discussed the government's modernization efforts and their shift towards agile methodologies. He also mentions the GSA's internal agile group, which requires funding recipients to adopt agile practices. [09:19] - The issue of government contracts requiring specific roles rather than generalists and how this can limit the implementation of agile practices. [10:20] - Scott discusses how contracts in government organizations can limit the ability to fully implement Agile principles and how to create change within their organizations. [11:33] - Brian discusses the idea that a transformation is an ongoing process and not something that can be checked off as completed. He talks about the importance of continual learning. [12:01] - Brian introduces the podcast sponsor, Mountain Good Software's Advanced Certified Product Owner course. He explains how the course can help product owners increase their confidence, credibility, and value. [12:39] - The importance of collaboration over contract negotiation: Brian shares a story about Michael Sahota, who worked with the Canadian government on a bidding contract and revolutionized the government's fixed bid system. [15:07] - Brian explains that while regulatory environments require more documentation, examining whether certain documentation is necessary is essential. [15:54] - The need for empathy and understanding when working with regulatory environments. [16:26] - Small nudges = Significant change. [19:45] - The challenge of testing in regulatory environments, particularly regarding validation. Brian shares a story about a client with FAA regulations and how they tackled the issue, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. [23:20] - Scott suggests a pragmatic approach to achieving work goals, acknowledging the external constraints that may prevent perfection. [24:09] - Scott further explains that in some cases, there may be a sliding scale of achieving different levels of agility. Even small incremental steps towards agile implementation can provide benefits. [25:37] - Brian shares what he considers the #1 win in implementing Agile into these types of environments. [26:57] - What's possible? If you fast forward a year from now, what could be done now that gets us to the next step? [28:10] - Think about how you are showing up: the importance of facilitating idea-generating conversations and the type of leadership it takes to start those conversations and helps make the right thing happen. [29:30] - Scott and Brian discuss the quote, "if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room," and how important it is to be around people who can push you and help you grow. [30:52] - Join the Agile Mentors Community community to continue the discussion. If you have topics for future episodes, email us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. References and resources mentioned in the show: Mountain Goat Software's Advanced Certified Product Owner course Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Agile Manifesto​​ Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ● Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ● Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience coaching and training companies like NASA, EMC/Dell Technologies, Yahoo!, Technicolor, and eBay to transition to an agile approach using Scrum.

In this episode of the “Agile Mentors” podcast, Brian and Anu Smalley share their perspectives on the relationship between culture and Agile transformation and why people are key. Overview Coaching an Agile transformation requires more than just knowing how to run a daily Scrum. Finding the right people for the job is critical to success. In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian and Anu Smalley chat about the importance of diversity in Agile teams. Listen in as Brian and Anu explore how culture impacts an organization's ability to adopt Agile practices, the role of leaders in creating an inclusive culture, and the power of sharing stories in building a strong community. Listen Now to Discover: [01:17] - Brian introduces us to the guest, Anu Smalley, who has a lot of experience in Agile coaching and consulting. She’s also been instrumental in increasing diversity in the Agile community. She has a CST mentoring group for people who don't have the same background as the majority of people in the Scrum Alliance. Her company is Capala Consulting Group. [03:34] - Metrics and methodologies are important in organizational transformation, but people are at the heart of it. Organizations cannot successfully transform without the right people. [04:02] - Anu talks about how the Agile Manifesto emphasizes individuals and interactions as the key to success in transformation. She emphasizes the importance of having the right people in an organization to ensure a successful transformation. [05:07] - Coaching an Agile transformation requires more than just knowing how to run a daily Scrum. Finding the right people for the job is critical to success. [05:55] - Brian notes that some businesses see their employees as replaceable parts in a machine. A diversity of perspectives is essential; having only one perspective limits the team's potential. [06:52] - Each person is unique and cannot be replaced like a part in a machine. Anu stresses the importance of recognizing the human aspect of transformation to succeed and that metrics alone will not suffice. [07:48] - Brian discusses the comparison between Agile software development and research and development. Having the right people for the job is critical. [08:30] - Agile transformation requires a focus on people and coaching, and the framework will fall into place once that focus is in place. [09:14] - Anu highlights the importance of understanding what being Agile truly means rather than just knowing the techniques. [09:59] - Brian notes that while many attendees may attend Agile training classes solely for certification, trainers can use this opportunity to teach attendees a deeper understanding of Agile and transform their approach to work. [10:46] - Anu notes that there is a significant difference between implementing Scrum and transforming an organization—one can be learned in a two-day class, while the other requires a deeper understanding of what being Agile truly means. [12:02] - Focusing on people is the key to success in Agile transformation; without it, organizations will not get very far. [14:17] - Brian emphasizes the uniqueness of organizations and how Scrum is designed to be adjusted and custom fit for each group that uses it. [14:49] - Anu highlights the importance of role clarity for individuals and teams to minimize conflicts. [15:53] - The virtual world has made role clarity even more important. Anu shares an example of a client whose main focus for 2023 is to achieve role clarity amongst their teams, explaining what is essential to achieving this goal. [16:19] - Clarity is achieved by bringing people together, resolving conflicts, and working towards common goals. [16:19] - Anu emphasizes that coaching and resolving conflicts are key to achieving role clarity and smooth functioning among teams in an organization. [16:37] - Brian compares learning the basics of baseball to attending a class on Scrum—a class can teach you the basics—a coach is necessary to grow and improve. [17:50] - Anu shares that a coach is essential, even for the best sports people on the planet. [16:19] - Anu emphasizes the importance of role clarity and resolving conflicts in an organization to ensure everyone understands their role and works together effectively. [18:39] - Anu explains that the best players in any sport have personal coaches to keep them in the "being mode," focusing on the individual's growth to impact the company's growth. [19:33] - Brian highlights that even the best athletes in the world have coaches, and we should always keep growing and never stand still. [19:51] - Agile transformations are about the people we have—Anu reiterates the importance of focusing on individuals' growth to impact the company's growth. [20:12] - Leaders need to ensure they have the right people and are continuously teaching, coaching, and helping them move forward. [20:35] - Brian introduces the sponsor of the podcast, Mountain Goat Software's Certified ScrumMaster Class, and highlights its benefits for those interested in understanding Scrum. [23:34] - Anu shares examples of clients who have decided to combine roles or accountabilities due to budget cuts and how it impacts the Agile journey. [24:40] - Anu advises against continuing the Agile journey until it can be done properly. [25:43] - Leaders often make the mistake of not understanding the importance of ScrumMasters, but ScrumMasters do, in fact, provide value (a little sarcasm here). [26:00] - Without capable ScrumMasters, the transformation will stall or fail. [26:39] - Brian notes that even with capable ScrumMasters, leaders must trust and empower them to drive the transformation forward. [27:02] - Culture is all about people; if you don't have a culture supporting Agile transformation, it won't go anywhere. [27:55] - Talking about trust issues between leadership and teams. [28:55] - Anu explains that some leaders may have talented staff, but they are too scared to trust them with an Agile transformation because they are worried about the culture and power structure changes. [29:35] - Brian suggests an innovation initiative, to which Anu sarcastically proposes an innovation sprint as a solution. [29:47] - Brian encourages listeners to contact Anu through LinkedIn or through the website of her company, Capala Consulting Group. [30:52] - Anu invites listeners to share their Agile transformation stories with her and promotes the importance of building a community through shared experiences. [32:58] - The value of learning from different cultural perspectives. [33:17] - Brian invites you to share your ideas for the show or feedback. Email Brian. References and resources mentioned in the show: Capala Consulting Group Mountain Goat Software's Certified ScrumMaster Class Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Join the Agile Mentors Community Agile Manifesto​​ Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Anu Smalley is the President and Founder of Capala Consulting Group, where she specializes in Executive Coaching and Agile Transformations. She is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Certified Scrum Trainer®. She’s an active member of the larger Scrum and Agile community and enjoys giving back via volunteering at various conferences.

In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian and Richard Cheng discuss the challenges of working in a virtual environment, sharing insights and strategies for maintaining team collaboration and communication. Listen in for practical tips and expert advice on navigating the changing landscape of remote work. Overview In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian and Richard Cheng discuss the challenges and opportunities of the ever-evolving world of remote work in Agile teams and the role of technology in supporting Agile practices. Listen in as they share their insights on the tools to use, how to maintain team cohesion and collaboration, and the importance of culture and personal connections. You'll find practical tips and inspiring ideas to help you navigate the virtual landscape and thrive in the new normal of work. Listen Now to Discover: [01:14] - Brian introduces Richard Cheng, founder of Agility Prime Solutions, trainer, teaching CSM, product owner, and combat classes. He is also working on a graphic novel about the adventures of a scrum master. He's here today to discuss the challenges of working.‌ [04:16] - Richard highlights the significant shift towards virtual work that was already happening before the pandemic and the adoption of virtual work tools such as Zoom, Miro, and Slack, which made the transition easier during the pandemic. [06:22] - Richard emphasizes the importance of using tools that foster better communication and collaboration rather than replacing them. The tools and policies around them should enable people to work better together rather than create more distance. [07:08] - Richard is relatively agnostic regarding specific tools, but he mentions that he is a huge fan of Zoom for instruction and prefers Miro or Mural for collaboration. [08:03] - Brian tends to use Mural but also acknowledges the benefits of Miro (and shares a fun fact about Miro). [09:42] - Brian advises against letting the tool drive the collaboration process and instead focusing on conversations and collaboration first, then finding tools that enhance that process. [11:00] - Richard agrees with the idea that tools should not drive the team's workflow, but rather the team should drive the tools using the example of Jira™. He advises teams to tailor their tools to support their evolving needs. [12:46] - Brian acknowledges the importance of standardization in big enterprises and advises teams to refer to items in their terms to better align with their workflow. [14:20] - Brian shares why tools that allow deep customization are enormously useful because you can implement a wealth of plugins. [15:01] - The key to keeping it simple—strip it down to the bare bones and then grow it. Richard shares an example from the best Agile shop he ever worked at, The Motley Fool, and their tools, including Bugzilla. [16:00] - Brian shares the sponsor for the podcast, Mountain Goat Software, and the team home software they use for their Agile and Scrum Training. [18:39] - Richard discusses the virtual challenges of creating culture and teamwork, including communication, collaboration, and cross-functionality. [19:15] - The new frontier for companies: experimenting with different methods is essential while adapting methods to make them more effective. [20:46] - Richard discusses the issue with the Scrum guide's statement that Scrum is immutable, stating that once you're an expert, you should take what works and tweak what doesn't, drawing on an analogy about CrossFit, where workouts can be scaled up or down, and suggest that Scrum should be approached similarly. [23:48] - Promoting conversation and collaboration between teams, which is a big issue for many teams in the virtual world. Brian points out that time zone differences can be a problem. People on the other side of the globe must experiment more with asynchronous tools to communicate and collaborate effectively. [24:49] - Collaboration is less about geography and more about times. He promotes time zone friendliness to enable teams to collaborate more effectively and independently. Richard recommends setting up time zone-aligned value streams to improve product and service delivery speed, particularly for organizations with teams in multiple time zones. [26:25] - Brian emphasizes the importance of maintaining company culture in a virtual environment. He recommends virtual show-and-tell sessions to build a deeper connection among team members. [27:51] - Richard suggests that events such as game nights and virtual chocolate tastings can help bring teams and organizations closer together, even in a virtual environment. At the same time, optional in-person events for geographically connected teams can also be a good way to foster a sense of togetherness and culture. [29:15] - To help improve communication and strengthen the team's dynamics, create user manuals for team members: that includes their background, contributions to the team, and [30:37] - As a Scrum Master and Coach, being there and having osmotic communication was a big part of the job. Without it, we have to engineer everything, which can be challenging. [31:30] - Brian acknowledges that technology is rapidly changing but emphasizes the importance of not letting the tool drive the conversation. Instead, he suggests promoting collaboration and enabling teams to work better through policies and practices that bring the team together and rethink those that separate them. [32:56] - You can learn more about Richard and his classes at Agility Prime Solutions or email him at richard.c@agilityprimesolutions.com. [34:24] -Join the Agile Mentors Community for further discussion, and if you have an idea for the show or feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Email Brian. References and resources mentioned in the show: Agility Prime Solutions Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Mural Miro Jira Bugzilla Private Virtual Chocolate Tastings– Bar & Cocoa You Don't Know Jack Party Packs ​​ Join the Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Richard Cheng is the founder of Agility Prime Solutions, which provides training programs that focus on Agile, Scrum, Kanban, and Product Management. Richard is a founder and was an executive committee member of the Agile Delivery for Agencies, Programs, and Teams (ADAPT), an Agile government task force.

Join Brian and Bob Galen, Agile Coach and author, as they explore the significance of self-mastery in leadership and coaching. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian and Bob Galen, Agile Coach, author, and podcast host, discuss the importance of self-mastery for leaders and coaches. Bob emphasizes the significance of self-reflection, journaling, and introspection as tools to mine valuable information from one's history in order to move forward successfully. Listen in to understand the crucial role emotional intelligence and self-mastery play in leadership and coaching and how one can balance their needs with those of the team and organization. Listen Now to discover: [01:09] - Brian welcomes Bob Galen as a special guest on the podcast. [01:30] - Brian and Bob discuss the concept of inside-out mastery for an agile coach. [02:32] - Bob explains that the agile coaching growth wheel emphasizes self-mastery as a central aspect for coaches to consider. [03:42] - Self-mastery is a mindset that emphasizes coaching from the inside-out. It includes coaching presence, listening skills, and self-care. [05:00] - Bob emphasizes the importance of having a coach and active mentors to improve self-mastery and humility. [07:40] - Bob discusses the importance of continuous improvement of agile coaches and leaders for self-mastery and shares his own journey. [09:12] - Bob emphasizes the importance of becoming a "feedback sponge" and activating self-awareness as a critical part of self-mastery for agile coaches while activating assessments to understand how they are perceived. [09:53] - Developing emotional intelligence—a critical aspect of self-mastery. [10:03] - Brian compares the concept of self-awareness to a principle in acting called "intention versus action." He explains that understanding the intention behind someone's actions is important for interactions with others. [11:21] - Bob describes the concept of "meta skills," or mindsets that guide how coaches should show up with clients. [13:02] - Bob suggests that coaches should take 5 minutes before coaching conversations to "clean themselves up" and get rid of biases and baggage. [14:48] - Brian shares his approach to coaching when he’s had a bad day. [15:09] - Why it’s important to show vulnerability as a coach, even though it can be challenging and how that creates space for clients to do the same. [16:50] - Bob emphasizes the importance of modeling and how it can be used to highlight certain behaviors or values. [17:39] - Brian adds that self-awareness is crucial for effective modeling and coaching and shares an example where he dropped the ball on that and how he corrected his behavior. [18:38] - The power of modeling in coaching and the importance of making a conscious choice to model positive behavior. [19:18] - Brian shares the sponsor for the podcast, Better User Stories, a one-day live online training course with Mike Cohn to improve your user story writing, so your team can do its best work, faster. [19:59] - Bob shares the importance of journaling for capturing observations and reflecting on experiences to improve future behavior and why he requires it in his leadership class. [21:03] -The journal is like breadcrumbs, not just for the past, but the future. [21:16] - Brian shares his own experience with journaling and why he considers it a crucial tool in coaching. [23:48] - How wonderful it would be if leaders felt comfortable enough to model their vulnerability to their organizations. [24:03] - Leadership sometimes feels like putting on a brave face and being a strong presence, but vulnerability can actually create more safety and change the ecosystem in a positive way. [25:15] - Bob shares that showing humanity can be a real advantage in creating a resilient organization and shaping its culture. [26:44] - Brian reflects on how his actions as a leader shaped the culture of the organization (even when actions went against traditional ideas of what a leader should do). [27:35] - Bob shares an example of how journaling helped a young lady who was struggling with her job to go back and mine her history for valuable information. [29:36] - Brian reflects on the importance of reflection and learning from past failures. [30:02] - Bob brings home the concept of historical learning and self-mastery through journaling and reflection. [30:28] - Check out Bob's podcast, “Meta-Cast.” [34:09] -Join the Agile Mentors Community for further discussion, and if you have an idea for the show or feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Email Brian. References and resources mentioned in the show: Meta-Cast Mountain Goat Software's Better User Stories cORSC - CRR Global The Agile Coaching Growth Wheel | Scrum Alliance Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Bob Galen is a renowned Agile coach, speaker, and author with over 30 years of experience in software development. He has authored books such as “Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching:The Journey From Beginning to Mastery and Beyond,” "Scrum Product Ownership - Balancing Value from the Inside Out" and "Three Pillars of Agile Quality and Testing.” He frequently speaks at Agile conferences and events, sharing his knowledge and experiences in Agile testing and coaching. You can listen to him on his podcast, Meta-Cast.

Karim Harbott joins Brian to talk about the 5 levers of crafting a strong culture in an organization and the critical role of leaders in establishing it. Overview On this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Karim Harbott joins Brian to discuss the importance of crafting a strong culture in an organization through his 5 Levers for Changing Organizational Culture. Listen in as they discuss the importance of aligning behaviors with the organization's strategy and the often-overlooked but critical role that leaders play in the cultural transformation of organizations. Listen Now to Discover: [01:34] - Brian introduces Karim Harbott, an Agile coach and CST, and highlights his book, “The 6 Enablers of Business Agility” He’s joining Brian to discuss culture change and the challenges associated with it. [02:25] - Karim discusses where to begin to make cultural change. [04:14] - Brian and Karim discuss the challenges of teaching culture and the importance of modeling desired behaviors. [04:47] - Karim explains that behaviors are a key factor in shaping culture and shares that there are five levers for changing the culture of an organization. The first lever is the organization's structure, which can encourage collaboration or silos and is the first thing within your control to influence behavior and how people collaborate. [07:15] - Karim emphasizes the importance of examining the system in place using the analogy of a gardener to explain that leaders need to create an environment that fosters the growth of the desired culture and behaviors. [07:51] - Brian references a quote by Craig Larman highlighting that whatever you're seeing at the moment, your system is designed to output that—for a different output, you gotta change the system. [08:21] - Karim explains that Craig Larman's and Deming's quote that "every system is perfectly designed for the results it's getting" both emphasize the importance of the structure in determining culture. [08:47] - Karin shares the second lever for changing culture, which is that the policies and rules that leaders create can be used to control or influence behaviors. [10:37] - Brian references the "Don't be evil" structure at Google and what it entailed. [11:37] - Karin discusses the importance of weaving high-level values into every part of how the organization operates, even the low-level aspects of the organization, to truly influence behaviors. [12:15] - Karin talks about the third lever of culture change, which is metrics and targets, and notes that what you measure and set as targets speaks volumes about what leadership values in the organization. [14:18] - Measuring intangible things like respect and integrity can be difficult, but it is important to find a way to measure them even though they don’t fit neatly into a dashboard. [15:51] - Brian shares an interesting paradigm they use at Mountain Goat Software, where they set goals with both a visual and emotional aspect to help them determine when they’ve reached their goal. [16:56] - Karim discusses the importance of HR processes as a lever (Lever #4) for influencing and reinforcing behaviors in an organization. [18:27] - Brian shares the sponsor for the podcast, Better User Stories, a one-day live online training course with Mike Cohn to improve your user story writing, so your team can do its best work, faster. [19:12] Brian emphasizes the concept that the company is a team effort, not an individual sport. [20:21] Karim highlights the difference between Henry Ford's production line and a team-based environment using the analogy of chopping onions in the kitchen but being asked to make a tiramisu. [21:30] - If the culture incentivizes individuals to prioritize their own interests over the interests of the team, then there is a problem, and conflicting incentives will lead to failure. [22:21] - Incentivizing individualism over teamwork will lead to failure (and unhappiness among 70% of employees). [23:39] - Karim discusses the fifth lever, which he considers to be the most powerful: leadership behaviors. [26:20] - Actions speak louder than words: Brian speaks about the importance of leadership behavior in promoting a healthy work culture with the example of unlimited vacation policies. [28:23] - Karim talks about the importance of behavioral norms in an organization, citing descriptive and injunctive norms as examples. By using the example of a library, he illustrates how people tend to conform to social norms. [30:39] - Karim shares the two things that are necessary to strengthen a culture; without these, a culture cannot be strong (it's important for leaders to be hypersensitive to this). [31:47] - The disapproval of others can be a powerful tool to make sure people behave the way we want them to behave. [32:47] - Brian shares how the TV show Brain Games demonstrated social norms and people conforming to the crowd. [33:43] - Karim emphasizes the importance of crafting a strong culture as one of the most important things a leader can do and calls for it to be a core leadership capability. [35:46] - Do you have an idea for the show or feedback you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you. Email Brian. References and resources mentioned in the show: Mountain Goat Software's Better User Stories The 6 Enablers of Business Agility: How to Thrive in an Uncertain World The 6 Enablers of Business Agility 5 Levers for Changing Organisational Culture Lead and Disrupt Larman's Laws of Organizational Behavior Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Karim Harbott is a leadership and business agility expert, entrepreneur, author, and international keynote speaker with over a decade of experience helping organizations with business agility. Karim is one of only a few people globally to hold the Certified Agile Leadership (CAL) Educator, Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST), and Certified Enterprise Coach® (CEC) status.

Chris Li joins Brian to talk about making informed decisions about going out on your own and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Overview On this episode of "Agile Mentors," Chris Li joins Brian to discuss the journey to becoming an entrepreneur. They dive into everything from the importance of having a clear vision and passion to weighing the benefits of partnerships and investors. Listen in for valuable advice from Chris and Brian on sidestepping the fear of going alone and the crucial things to consider before taking the leap. Listen Now to Discover: [01:08] - Brian introduces Chris Li. [03:13] - Chris discusses the importance of taking stock of your threshold for comfort before determining the next step, especially in the current climate. [05:33] - Brian emphasizes the importance of passion in making decisions about the next steps and recognizing when you've reached the pinnacle of your current position so you can explore other opportunities that align with your passions. [07:05] - Chris shares his journey, from knowing he had an entrepreneurial spirit to finding the right people to help him as he took the leap. [08:51] - Brian highlights the importance of having a network of people to fall back on and the value of mentorship for personal and professional growth. [09:29] - Chris notes that going out on your own looks different for everyone and why it's essential to find the path that works for you and shares an example of someone who took a different route to improve their career. [11:35] - Chris breaks down external and internal factors that can help you determine if you're ready to go out on your own, including the most critical factor to consider. [14:22] - Brian discusses healthcare as a significant factor. [15:15] - Brian discusses the importance of risk tolerance and mapping out income streams and costs to ensure that going out on your own is financially viable. [15:49] - Chris discusses the investment period at the beginning of a move and why having an end goal is essential. [17:37] - Taking stock - what will you have to give up to have this other thing? [18:47] - The importance of a support team to help walk you through ALL sides of the situation—good, bad, and neutral. [21:13] - Brian talks about why developing a backup plan is essential. [21:43] - Chris shares why getting legal advice is vital. [23:23] - Brian emphasizes the importance of hustling when you are your own boss. [24:05] - Chis encourages listeners not to be discouraged by the elements of the process. Starting a business can be a valuable experience (regardless of its outcome). [25:17] - Brian encourages listeners to be realistic about their situation but not to let fear hold them back from pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. [26:18] - Chris advises listeners to consider all the angles of any new opportunities that may come up, being realistic about their potential value. [29:21] - Brian emphasizes the importance of hustling, working extra hours as an entrepreneur, and considering your own work-life balance priorities. [31:32] - Think about how you will spend your time AND your money: Chris shares some practical things to consider, like how you will spend your time AND your money, and partnerships and securing funding. [35:49] - No matter your choice, you can always change course. [35:56] - Do you have an idea for the show or feedback you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you. Email Brian. References and resources mentioned in the show: Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Chris Li is the Founder of SparkPlug Agility and a dynamic and enthusiastic IT consultant with more than two decades of industry experience. He specializes in delivering exceptional learning opportunities and is passionate about delivering outstanding speaking engagements, mission-focused insights, and cultivating meaningful partnerships for individuals, teams, and organizations.

Mike Cohn joins Brian to share his experience facilitating story-writing workshops and offers insights on creating effective user stories that deliver value to customers and focus to your team. Overview In this episode of the "Agile Mentors" podcast, Brian is joined by Agile coach and trainer Mike Cohn to discuss the art of writing user stories through story-writing workshops. Mike shares his expertise on the importance of creating user stories, including how to write them effectively and their benefits in the development process. Listen in as Mike provides valuable insights on conducting effective story-writing workshops, including the role of a skilled facilitator, keeping the conversation on track, and how using the INVEST criteria can help you create high-quality user stories that meet the needs of your users. Tune in for practical tips and strategies to improve your user story writing workshops to energize your team while giving them a clear focus on what they need to do. Listen Now to discover: [01:09] - Brian is sitting down with Mike Cohn today to discuss story writing workshops. [01:57] - Mike shares team/stakeholder writing sessions during the early 2000s that morphed into "story writing workshops" to help teams understand what they were doing. [03:37] - Mike explains why he prefers to write 20-30 stories at the start of a quarter, only writing a few new stories during the sprint, then doing another story writing workshop every three months. [05:20] - Brian clarifies that teams don't have to wait for a story writing workshop to write stories. He shares his recommendations for holding story-writing workshops once a quarter to replenish the backlog and "refill the gas tank" with new ideas. [06:03] - Mike expands on the gas tank analogy, explaining that, like filling up a gas tank, teams don't need to wait until the backlog is empty to have a story-writing workshop. [06:52] - Mike shares why he prefers a quarterly approach to story writing for its big-picture view of the coming months. [07:17] - Brian references the 2020 Scrum Guide and suggests using the product goal as the bigger idea to zero in on. [07:32] - Mike agrees with Brian's suggestion of using the product goal as a focal point during story-writing workshops sharing his idea of the importance of something to aim for beyond just the single sprint goal. [07:59] - The importance of focusing a story-writing workshop on a single goal, i.e., setting a product goal for three to six months and using it as the workshop's focus to generate necessary stories. [09:29] - Who should attend a story-writing workshop? Mike offers his suggestions to bring creativity and new ideas and build better products. [11:33] - Mike shares why he believes involving team members in story-writing workshops is a time-saving, worthwhile investment that will improve product outcomes. [12:06] -The tools for a successful story-writing workshop for everyone involved. [13:57] - Mike explains why story-writing workshops might work better online than in person. [17:19] - To keep the conversation on track, having a skilled facilitator for your story-telling workshop is crucial. [17:58] - The importance of having a scrum master or agile coach facilitating story mapping sessions for guidance through any issues with sequencing or organization of ideas. [19:16] - Collectively writing the same story simultaneously vs. brainstorming different stories and then coming together—Mike shares which he prefers and why. [21:34] - Mike shares why saving the story refinement for later is best. [24:05] - The importance of striking a balance between the level of detail in the stories and the time spent on the story-writing workshop. [25:21] - Brian shares a story about an organization he worked with recently at Mountain Goat Software that used the INVEST criteria as a definition of Done to check off every story they wrote. [25:58] - Mike explains the six attributes a team should know to create good user stories. [27:20] - Mike shares why story-writing meetings energize teams, leaving them excited about the product and the upcoming period while giving them a clear focus on what they need to do. References and resources mentioned in the show: How to Run a Successful User Story Writing Workshop Better User Stories Video Course by Mike Cohn 2020 Scrum Guide Join the Agile Mentors Community Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Mike Cohn is the CEO of Mountain Goat Software and the Co-founder of Agile Alliance and Scrum Alliance. He’s passionate about agile and finds it rewarding when a company really understands agile, commits to doing it well, and succeeds dramatically. Mike’s focus is coaching, training, developing new courses, sharing ideas in his blog posts and tips, and participating in the Agile Mentors Community, especially with the live Q & A sessions.

Kubair Shirazee, Founder of Peace through Prosperity, joins Brian to share his experiences using Agile tools for social and societal transformation, helping to empower marginalized communities and break the cycle of poverty. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, we explore how Agile can be applied outside of software development as a powerful tool for driving societal transformation with Kubair Shirazee, the Founder of the Peace through Prosperity project. Kubair takes us on his journey of using Agile methodologies to empower marginalized communities by supporting business owners in creating long-term solutions that are helping to break the cycle of poverty. Listen in as he shares some of the challenges he has faced in implementing these methodologies and offers listeners detailed information on how to get involved in the Peace through Prosperity Scrum Masters Experience Academy and insight into ways you can make an impact in your community. Listen Now to discover: [01:07] - Brian introduces to UK-based Kubair Shirazee, Agility Coach through Agilitea and Founder of the Peace through Prosperity project that uses Agile to foster social and societal transformation. [02:33] - Kubair discusses how Agile, which emphasizes people and relationships, can be applied to social and societal transformation. [04:43] - Kubair explains how marginalized solopreneurs in conflict zones and developing countries can use Agile principles to maximize their potential. [07:18] - The targeted way entrepreneurs with mobile businesses in marginalized communities use Agile to leverage what they've learned in the past to help them capitalize on future opportunities. [08:42] - How Agile coaching and support helped a barber named Anwar to go from having a beat-up chair on the street to owning a salon. [11:14] - Not just increased revenue—touching the lives of over 2400 marginalized micro-entrepreneurs in 12 short years. [12:57] - Back to Anwar's story, how focusing on the pillars of empiricism and developing a product goal helped him shift his mindset and grow his business. [16:27:] - We don't just hijack people's lives; it's all about creating relationships and collaborating with people to co-create solutions that work for them. [20:21] - How finding out you have the power to write your own story is the first crucial step towards realizing your full potential and overcoming the challenges of marginalization. [21:55] - Brian explains how Agile helps people manage challenging goals in any and every environment. [22:55] -How Peace through Prosperity helps provide long-term, sustainable, and impactful solutions to help create an environment of financial stability. [27:34] - Peace through Prosperity aims to empower marginalized communities to create a better future without resorting to extremism or outside help. [28:42] - The exciting opportunity to get involved with Peace through Prosperity through the Scrum Masters Experience Academy and work with teams in Pakistan, Yemen, and Egypt to gain valuable Scrum experience in just six months. [30:10] - Kubair shares how to become involved with the mission to meet the needs of marginalized communities in your own location (using Peace Through Prosperity's open-source programs). [34:41] - How individuals like Dominique de Cooman, CEO of Dropsolid, are helping fund Peace Through Prosperity and how you can, too. [36:39] - "Scrum is industry agnostic. Scrum is something if we if we all just embrace it, its principles, and its values. It can enrich not just our individual lives, but it can enrich us as an entire community on our pale blue dot."—Kubair Shirazee References and resources mentioned in the show: Peace through Prosperity Agilitea #32: Scrum in High School Sports with Cort Sharp #23 How Agile Works in Education with John Miller #21: Agile Marketing Teams with Stacey Ackerman Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Scrum Alliance Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Kubair Shirazee is a highly experienced Enterprise Agility Coach with over 20 years of experience helping people, teams, and businesses transform using his coaching skills. He has worked with a range of prominent brands in the pharmaceutical and non-profit sectors, including Novartis and Bayer, helping them to improve their product, service development, and operations. In addition to his coaching work, he is also the founder of the Peace through Prosperity project, which leverages Agile methodologies to promote social and societal transformation.

Brad Swanson joins Brian to explore the concept of servant leadership and share actionable takeaways to help you lead with compassion and empathy. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brad Swanson joins Brian to discuss the concept of servant leadership and how it can be applied in an Agile environment. Learn how to create strong personal connections with your team members, the power of asking powerful questions to foster collaboration, and how to be more assertive as a leader while remaining flexible about the process. Listen in as Brad shares three practical ways that listeners can cultivate a servant leadership mindset and build a positive and productive work environment. Listen Now to discover: [01:48] - Brian introduces Brad Swanson, who has the trifecta of certifications with Scrum Alliance: CST, CEC, and CTC. [02:54] - Brad shares his belief that servant leadership involves prioritizing the needs of the team while cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration. [04:43] - Since the 1970s, the servant leadership concept introduced by Robert K. Greenleaf has involved empowering team members rather than seeing them as subordinates. [07:48] - Brian shares his experience playing football and how it relates to management styles, highlighting that a calm and empowering approach can be more impactful than an authoritative one. [09:55] - Brad shares the idea that effective leadership involves the ability to balance and leverage multiple power styles and shares the book "Leadership Agility" by Bill Joiner and Steven Josephs, which emphasizes the importance of situational leadership. [13:30] - Brad shares his perspective on the shift in the last version of the Scrum Guide from using the term "servant leadership" to "true leadership" and why he prefers the term situational leadership. [15:05] - Brian acknowledges that people have a natural predisposition towards being either assertive or accommodating and how stepping outside of one's comfort zone can lead to both personal growth and an expansion of your skill set. [16:05:] - Brad suggests there is a difference between being assertive and directive. [19:38:] - The effectiveness of asking powerful questions to invite collaboration and reach a mutual goal. [20:17] - The key to being more assertive as a leader without attacking the individual (and remaining flexible about the process). [21:55] - Brad shares three ways listeners can implement a servant leadership mentality. [23:35] - Brian shares how to use a notebook to process your thoughts and ideas while giving others a chance to speak up. [24:38] - Brad shares why listening is a skill that requires frequent practice. [25:15] - Why it’s a good idea to keep your team in the loop about the changes you are trying to make in your leadership style. [26:13] - Why being open and transparent about your efforts to improve can help create a learning environment where improvement is both expected and accepted. [27:05] - Why creating strong personal relationships with the people you are leading is crucial to effective leadership and developing the team's skills. [29:05] - Listeners of the Agile Mentor’s Podcast can get a 10% discount on the Certified Agile Leadership class Brad has coming up on March 27th by using promo code friend10. Find out more by visiting Agility 11. [30:34] - Join the Agile Mentors Community to continue the discussion. You can get a free 12-month membership into the community by taking a class with Mountain Goat Software. References and resources mentioned in the show: What is Servant Leadership? "Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness" "Leadership Agility" Agility 11 Certified Agile Leadership - CAL Essentials & Organizations with Brad Beginning March 27, 2023 - Promo Code: friend10 Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Scrum Alliance Join the Agile Mentors Community Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Brad Swanson, Founder and Principal Coach and Trainer at Agility 11 helps organizations achieve sustainable success through Lean and Agile principles. With extensive experience as a trusted advisor to executives and organizations worldwide, Brad holds certifications as a Leadership Agility 360 Coach, Agile Leadership Educator, Scrum Trainer, Enterprise Coach, Professional in Agile Coaching, and LeSS Practitioner.

Dallas Jackson joins Brian to explore the human aspect of work and the challenges that come with prioritizing the team while ensuring everyone is heard. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Dallas Jackson joins Brian to delve into the human side of work and why it's essential to create work that fits people's lives rather than forcing humans to fit the work. They delve into the importance of understanding and appropriately responding to conflict in the workplace as a Scrum Master and prioritizing the team while ensuring everyone is heard. Listen in as they explore the challenges of adapting to change, why prioritizing human factors is essential for driving cultural shifts, and how to create an Agile culture that supports the human element of work. Listen Now to discover: [01:13] - Brian introduces Dallas Jackson, a native Texan, living in New Zealand who is a Teaching Assistant with Mountain Goat Software and certified team coach with Scrum Alliance. [03:18] - Dallas highlights the importance of recognizing individuals as human beings and creating work that fits their lives rather than forcing humans to fit into work. [05:17] - Brian shares the value of remote work to allow individuals to gain insight into each other's personal lives and encourages virtual show-and-tell sessions to foster stronger team bonds. [06:43] - Connecting to foster deeper relationships as a team. [07:42] - Dallas shares how showing her humanity helped her build a connection with colleagues, leading to a development of trust and a better quality of teamwork. [10:41] - Why it's important as a leader to prioritize taking care of employees. [12:21] - Dallas shares why creating a positive environment where people feel cared for and supported is crucial for producing good work. [15:22] -The importance of building connections in team relationships through reciprocity and sharing personal stories, even those unrelated to work. [16:39] - How opening ourselves up allows us to give the best to our fellow humans because we're ALL members of the same tribe—the human race. [18:06:] - Brian shares the importance of understanding and appropriately responding to conflict in the workplace, including avoidance. [21:08] - What about conflict—Dallas shares the importance of playing the long game and how not to handle it as a Scrum Master. [23:39] - How using crucial conversations helps everyone stick with the facts and avoid misunderstandings caused by differing perspectives. [24:43] - Brian shares the mantra he uses with teams to move beyond personal conflicts and focus on finding solutions. [26:08] - Acknowledging that facts are the foundation, but feelings in the workplace matter too. [27:17] - Dallas explains the significance of goldfish memory in conflict management, completing the stress cycle, and prioritizing the team while ensuring everyone is heard. [28:07] - Brian shares why the Scrum Master's job is similar to that of a football coach in that you need to be clued into the emotional temperature of your team. [30:32] - You can't process your way to a better culture—cultural shifts change when we take humans into account. [31:38] - Agile is a philosophy that requires a shift in thinking about work and a departure from following step-by-step instructions and can be a difficult transition for organizations to make. [32:39] - Dallas shares a football vs. rugby analogy about how to help managers make a mindset shift. [34:53] - Brian shares that working with humans requires a different approach than working with machines because repeatability isn't always possible—adaptation is the name of the game. [36:26] - Dallas shares the Cherokee saying that we die a thousand deaths to become our true selves. [37:54] - You can hear more from Dallas at Scrum Australia in March. References and resources mentioned in the show: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle Scrum Australia Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Dallas Jackson is a Teaching Assistant at Mountain Goat Software with a multitude of Scrum and Agile qualifications, including CSM, CSPO, CAL-E.

Join Lance Dacy and Brian Milner as they discuss the use of metrics in an Agile environment to ensure optimal performance without taking things in the wrong direction. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Lance Dacy joins Brian to delve into the intricacies of utilizing metrics in software development to ensure optimal performance while avoiding incentivizing adverse behaviors. Listen in as he walks us through the three tiers of metrics that are crucial for Agile teams to consider in order to stay on course. He’ll share the tools required to gain a holistic understanding of an individual's performance and how leadership styles and stakeholders influence team-level metrics. Plus, a look at the common challenges that teams may encounter during their Agile adoption journey and how to overcome them. Listen now to discover: [01:18] - Lance Dacy is on the show to discuss metrics. [02:09] - Brian asks, are there ‘good’ ways to track performance? [02:32] - Lance shares why Agile doesn’t really lend itself to tracking performance. [03:57] - How to handle performance reviews. [04:32] - Lance shares the best way to measure individual performance. [06:40] - Measuring team contribution vs. standalone rockstar. [07:48] - What Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland say about the completeness of the Scrum Framework and why having a superhero on your team is bad. [09:45] - Lance shares the 3 tiers of metrics to measure when working as an Agile team to be sure their team is going in the right direction. [11:09] - Using tangible business-level metrics such as time to market for products, NPS, and support call volume to evaluate performance. [12:20] - How metrics, such as the number of work items completed per month, and cycle time, can be used to evaluate performance at a product level in an Agile environment. [14:10] - Lance shares standard metrics such as velocity, backlog churn, and work-in-process that can be used to evaluate things at the team level. [14:45] - Brian shares the importance of having a broader perspective to avoid having a distorted view of performance. [16:53] - How using tools such as Ishikawa (fishbone) diagrams can help you identify the root cause of the problem instead of the apparent cause. [17:22] - Individual velocity and other big metrics to avoid. [19:02] - How the balanced scorecard can help managers use ALL the information available to develop a comprehensive understanding of an individual's performance. [19:25] - The detrimental effects of using the wrong metrics to evaluate an individual's contribution. [21:29] - Brian shares the story of how a manager's bug squashing endeavor led to incentivizing the wrong behavior [22:31] - Lance references Stephen Denning's statement and reminds us that assumption testing is what developers do every day. [24:00] - Referencing the State of Agile Report statistics on what's stalling your transformation to Agile. [25:15] - Lance shares a behind-the-scenes look at how team-level metrics are affected by leadership styles and stakeholders. [27:05] - Lance shares the spreadsheet he's been using to track data for a Scrum team for over 5 years to understand why the team is not predictable and what they can do to improve. [31:38] - Got metrics management questions? Reach out to Lance. [31:46] - Why it’s imperative that you think of software development as R&D rather than manufacturing to arrive at the right metrics measurements. [33:26] Continue the conversation in The Agile Mentors Community. References and resources mentioned in the show: Join the More than 24k People Who've Trained to Succeed With Mountain Goat Software Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule #30: How to Get the Best Out of the New Year with Lance Dacy #31: Starting Strong: Tips for Successfully Starting with a New Organization with Julie Chickering State of Agile Report HBR's Embrace Of Agile The Agile Mentors Community Additional metrics resources mentioned by Lance Agile Metrics Business outcomes, product group metrics, unit metrics) KPI/OKR (Business Outcomes) Time to market, NPS, Support Call Volume, Revenue, Active Account, New Customer Onboarding Time, Regulatory Violations) Product Group Metrics Work items completed per unit of time (quarterly) % of work in active state vs. wait state Cycle time of work times (idea to done) Predictability (% of work items that reach ready when planned) Unit metrics Velocity, backlog churn, work in process, team stability Metrics Spreadsheet  Team Size Tracking the size of our cross-functional team (typically Dev and QA), allows us to pair that number with velocity to play “what-if” scenarios in the future. Whether you count half of a person if shared, or whole, keeping it consistent throughout your tracking is what is important. Most teams simply count the number of developers and testers. Team Days Tracking the iteration length is also helpful in understanding a team’s performance. If the team has a 2 week sprint, then usually that is 9 development days of actual work. The 10th day is set aside for sprint review, retrospective, and planning. Committed Tracking what the team committed to completing within a sprint is crucial to understanding their predictability. The are the most uneducated at the beginning of the sprint and tracking what they think they can complete helps us in long term planning. Completed Tracking what the team completed is actually just tracking velocity above, but comparing it what they committed helps us understand their predictability index. Predictability Index (Pi) Software development is complex, risky, and uncertain. A skill that is sought after in this type of environment is predictability. The better we are at understanding what we can accomplish, then finishing what we said we would accomplish builds trust with our management team and customers. If we aren’t very good, tracking this metric often helps us get back to good by committing to less or more depending on our index. Example: Completed Items / Committed Items = Predictability Index (Pi) 25 Story Points / 20 Story Points = 125% 20 Story Points / 25 Story Points = 80% Just because a team has a high Pi, does not mean they are good at predictability. Don’t let high and low numbers fool you, focus on the variance from 100% instead of the actual number. An arbitrary number to shoot for is +/- 15% Pi (85% or 115%). Story Points / Per Day (SPD) Story points per day is just that, tracking how many story points per day of the sprint did we complete (Completed / Team Days). Story Points / Per Day / Per Person (SP/PD/PP) This perhaps is the most useful metric to capture throughout the process. Most of our teams do not have the luxury of maintaining a consistent size or make-up. Inevitably over the course of a few months, the team make-up will change. Once the teams change, velocity has to be reset. In addition, we may actually change our sprint duration over a long period of time (don’t change it each sprint). Once we change sprint lengths, it can jeopardize our pure metrics, velocity has to be reset. However, over all of our teams in a product, if we can capture the SP/PD/PP that our teams complete on average, we can begin to play “what-if” scenarios in long- term planning. Example: Completed / (Team Size * Sprint Days) 24 / (4 * 9) = 0.67 You can then average that number over 4-6 sprints or even the year. Defects While we understand that we won’t ever likely have a zero defect product, it is useful to track how many defects our teams are creating over time. There are usually 2 types of defects, internal and external. Internal Our definition of done should at minimum include that testing is taking place during the sprint with the idea that we would not allow a story to be called DONE if it had remaining defects. As such, an internal defect are the ones that were created while working on a backlog item in the sprint, that we have fixed before calling the item DONE. External External defects are those that have “escaped” our development process and were not discovered during our testing. In a sense, our customer discovered the defect and the work item will become a new backlog item for a sprint. Warranty We should strive to have the warranty concept built into our process. If you bought a car yesterday and the radio fell out, you could take it back and they would fix it fairly quickly. Our customers deserve the same service. Don’t manage a defect backlog, get used to fixing escaped defects immediately, while they are fresh on your mind (right after a sprint). It doesn’t take a long time to fix defects, it takes a long time to find them once identified by a customer. Defects per Story Point Tracking defects per story point help to understand velocity a little better. If you have a team that has drastically increased its velocity, have the defects have increased along with it? Defects per story point help us understand the relationship between a velocity and defects created. Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lance Dacy, known as Big Agile, is a dynamic, experienced management and technical professional with the proven ability to energize teams, plan with vision, and establish results in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. He is a Certified Scrum Trainer® with the Scrum Alliance and has trained and coached many successful Scrum implementations from Fortune 20 companies to small start-ups since 2011. You can find out how to attend one of Lance’s classes with Mountain Goat Software here.

Join Julie Chickering and Brian Milner as they provide exclusive insight on utilizing your Scrum training, expanding your expertise, and passing your knowledge on to others. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Julie Chickering sits down with Brian to discuss getting started in the key Scrum roles. They highlight the value of establishing relationships with like-minded individuals for both support and greater success. Plus, a look at some ways to use Scrum outside of the software development arena. Listen in as they guide you through the initial steps you can take when you are just starting out on your Scrum journey and how collaboration and continuing education can aid your career growth and advancement. Listen now to discover: [02:26] - The framework is simple. Then we put people into the mix. Julie shares the most crucial aspect for those starting in key Scrum roles. [04:04] - Brian shares Mike's foundational philosophy for approaching this work from Mike Cohn's popular conference keynote session, Let Go of Knowing. [05:58] - How communities online like The Agile Mentors Community and local groups like DFW Scrum help members achieve more success. [07:02] - How being part of a community was foundational to Brian's Scrum journey. [8:33] - Julie shares her introduction to Scrum and how the connections and support she received from the community were crucial to her growth and advancement. [09:42] - Brian shares his regrets about not getting involved with a community sooner. [11:56] - Brian shares how mentoring is like dating and why taking the time to have the discussions needed to form the foundations for authentic relationships is vital. [13:08] - Read the room. Julie offers guidance on avoiding mistakes while searching for a mentor. [14:46] - How cross-pollination and venturing out to form connections in other industries helps you grow in your own. [15:41] - Being part of a safe community can help you advance your skills while helping others. [16:57] - Julie shares how to get started as a Scrum Master after you've been trained and the overall value of finding the right fit. [18:50] - Successful product ownership requires two key components. [19:16] - Where the rubber meets the road: expanding what you've learned in your training through real-world experience. [20:45] - Start where you are: how applying your Scrum training to other areas beyond software development can help enhance your skills. [22:55] - Brian and Julie share some examples of Scrum hidden in the non-software world, including in education and marketing. [25:32] - How to use your skills to help a nonprofit in your area. [27:11] - Brian explains how A-level classes can help you overcome hurdles as you advance in your career. [28:53] - Learning never stops: the importance of obtaining knowledge for now and later. [29:10] - Julie shares the value of debriefing with someone else. [30:31] - Problem-Solving Leadership (PSL) [31:22] - What classes and tools have you used to advance your skills? We'd love to hear. Reach out to share your experience. References and resources mentioned in the show Let Go of Knowing The Agile Mentors Community DFW Scrum Book Early for Savings on Mountain Goat Software Training Classes Agile Mentors Podcast EP#32: Scrum in High School Sports with Cort Sharp Agile Mentors Podcast  EP#23 How Agile Works in Education with John Miller Agile Mentors Podcast  EP#21: Agile Marketing Teams with Stacey Ackerman Agile Mentors Podcast  EP#31: Starting Strong: Tips for Successfully Starting with a New Organization with Julie Chickering Finding and Becoming Great Mentors and Sponsors with Carla Harris on WorkLife with Adam Grant Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Julie Chickering is the brains and brawn behind JC Agile Consulting, believes that Lean and Agile practices are packed with potential — to enable positive culture change, business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie is a past president and board member of the Agile Project Management Network (APLN), a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), as well as a traditional Project Management Professional (PMP).

Join Woody Zuill and Brian Milner as they discuss the benefits of teams working together through Mob Programming. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Woody Zuill, a 40-year veteran software developer specializing in team interaction, joins Brian to explore the concept of Mob Programming. Woody shares the benefits of working together rather than separating tasks in software development and how removing things like queuing, multitasking, and context switching can actually make teams more effective. Listen in as he walks us through the collaborative software development approach's perks. Listen now to discover: [02:22] - Brian introduces Woody Zuill, a 40-year veteran software developer specializing in team interaction. [02:51] - Woody explains how he discovered the term Mob Programming. [04:56] - Where the idea of Teaming came from. [06:20] - Woody explains why he's changing the name from mob programming to teaming. [07:23] - Teaming = collaboration brought to software development, where more than one brain connects to do the work that needs to be done. [11:11] - Painting the Mob Programming picture: it's when "all the brilliant minds work together on the same thing ‌in the same space, at the same computer." [13:40] - To work efficiently in software development, one team member acts as the driver at the keyboard while everyone else acts as the navigator. [16:41] - The drawbacks and disconnect of breaking software development down into smaller pieces. [18:34] - Isn't six people in one room working on one computer a waste of resources? [21:07] - Do you want to be productive or effective? Examining the Lean concept of flow. [24:57] - Enhancing the effectiveness of software development by removing the negative impact of waiting, queuing, multitasking, and context switching. [25:22] - The benefits of working together vs. separating tasks in software development. [26:53] - Team Flow: how collaboration adds to our ability to work in the zone. [28:38] - Working together is often more effective, so why have we gotten better at it? [31:25] - The strength of experimentation. [33:09] - Woody explains that since the software development process is a discovery process, innovations such as mob programming can benefit the process. [35:25] - Woody shares resources where you can find more information on Mob Programming (see the resources section below for more) and how you can contact him to schedule a workshop. References and resources mentioned in the show: Software Teaming: A Mob Programming, Whole-Team Approach by Woody Zuill Teaming by Amy C. Edmondson Code with the Wisdom of the Crowd: Get Better Together with Mob Programming by Mark Pearl The Mob Mentality Show on Apple Podcasts Diffusion of Innovations by Everett M. Rogers Online And In-Person Training To Help You Succeed With Agile Through Mountain Goat Software The Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Woody Zuill has been a software developer for over forty years. Woody is one of the pioneers of Mob Programming, a method of teamwork in software development that involves the entire team working together. Woody gives remote and in-person workshops on the topic. You can find out more about him on Twitter @WoodyZuill or on LinkedIn.

Join Cort Sharp and Brian Milner as they discuss experimenting with Scrum in other out-of-the-box environments, including how Cort uses it to train the high school swim team he coaches. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Cort Sharp joins Brian to explore how to use Scrum tools in other environments outside of the software development arena. Cort shares the lightbulb moment when he realized Scrum might help him become a more effective coach for his high school swim team. Listen in as he walks us through his real-world experience using Scrum to coach swimmers, including what worked and what didn't and how he redefined things to make using Scrum successful for the team. Listen now to discover: [01:27] - Brian introduces Cort Sharp, the Agile Mentors Community Manager and high school swim coach. [02:49] - Scrum is used chiefly in software, BUT there are other options. Examining out-of-the-box uses from Scrum. [03:46] - Cort shares the story of how he got started as a high school swim coach. [06:26] - Cort meets Scrum. [08:39] - The discovery during Certified Scrum Training that led Cort to believe he could use Scrum to become a more effective swim coach. [10:20] - Brian shares his own light bulb moment from his first exposure to Scrum. [11:53] - What’s the product: Cort shares the process of translating Scrum to the swimming world. [15:57] - How the sprint review brought everything home for Cort. [17:03] - Evaluating how things were working with the parents of the swimmers (the stakeholders) at the weekly invitational swim meets. [17:48] - Brian describes how Scrum helps you break things down into smaller, digestible chunks when you want to reach a big goal but don't see progress every day. [19:02] - Cort shares how they developed the user stories for each swimmer and used feedback to develop the backlog for swim practices. [19:44] - Cort shares the process of developing the backlog for swim practices. [21:19] - How Agile principles (i.e., sustainable pace) translate into arenas other than software. [24:30] - Cort explains how Scrum events like daily stand-ups and sprint reviews helped the team organize practices. [24:47] - Which Scrum practices were harder to implement for the team? [26:47] - Opening yourself up to experimentation. (And how to reach Cort with your coaching ideas and suggestions). [27:36] - Cort shares the biggest changes he had to make to make things work for the swim team. [28:00] - So, who is the Scrum Master for the swim team? Redefining the Scrum roles and responsibilities to make them work in other environments. [30:04] - Cort shares what he’s learned in the process of using Scrum with the swim team. [33:29] - Do you have a topic or guest you'd like to see on the Agile Mentors podcast? If so, send us an email. We'd love to hear from you. References and resources mentioned in the show #21: Agile Marketing Teams with Stacey Ackerman #23 How Agile Works in Education with John Miller The Agile Mentors Community Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us as podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Cort Sharp is the Scrum Master of the producing team and the Agile Mentors Community Manager. In addition to his love for Agile, Cort is also a serious swimmer and has been coaching swimmers for five years.

Join Julie Chickering and Brian Milner as they discuss strategies you can use to get started on the right foot with your new organization. Overview It's the new year, and for many people, that means starting a new chapter in their life, maybe in a new position, with a new team, or possibly an entirely new organization. It's the perfect time for reflection to determine what you can do in these first few days and weeks to set yourself up for success. So, we thought it would be a great time to take this episode of the show to highlight some strategies you can use to hit the ground running. In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian Milner and Julie Chickering discuss some strategies to set the stage for success in your new position. We will walk you through the vital steps for settling into your team and making an impact no matter what level of the ladder you are on. Plus, what to ask when you are interviewing to ensure you find the right fit. Listen now to discover: [01:40] - Julie Chickering is on the show to discuss starting strong with your new organization. [02:15] - How to use team retrospective to identify where things are going well to amplify the good stuff while on a discovery mission of what needs work. [03:35] - The one thing that Julie cautions about in one-on-one conversations that will help you avoid being influenced by others' opinions of their team members. [05:22] - How to create curiosity instead of animosity by offering reciprocal grace to help everyone work better together. [07:17] - Brian shares how to use an improvement board to keep a running track of things while identifying your next target, stay on the right track and avoid the worst-case scenario (as referenced by Henrik Kniberg in the Spotify Model - Part 2). [09:23] - What Brian calls his 15-minute' cheat code" for understanding the dynamics of a team. [11:31] - Julie shares her improvement backlog one-on-one ONE thing for Scrum Masters. [12:08] - Essential techniques to help developers make an impact and utilize their skills in their new team. [13:57] - How to get off on the right foot with a new team as a product owner. [14:14] - Julie shares how to determine if an agile framework like Scrum is helping you meet your business goals (or not). [15:34] - If you cannot communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders… you'll never deliver value to them. [16:32] - How story mapping exercises can help product owners. [18:31] - Why communication is the key to top-to-bottom team success. [19:40] - The most important questions to ask when you are interviewing to determine if the organization is a good fit for what you bring to the table. [22:17] - Why it's important to remember every interaction during an interview is a part of the job interview. [22:33] - Brian shares a story of why it's crucial to determine if the company you are going to work for is looking for someone agile or Agile. [24:42] - Why it's essential to do a background check on a company you're considering hitching your wagon to. [25:38] - Start with where you are: how to start strong if you have the skills and are certified but need to gain experience. [28:30] - How can you use your skills to give back and advance in your career? [29:38] - How to highlight your experience and use it to your advantage when seeking various roles within a company. [32:40] - The most powerful question you can ask your team that will help you start the new year fresh. References and resources mentioned in the show Spotify Engineering Culture - Part 2 (aka the "Spotify Model") The Culture Code How does project management work in Agile? with Julie Chickering #7: The Sprint Review is not a Demo with Julie Chickering Agile Mentors Community Meetup #13: What Does Cross-Functional Really Mean? with Lance Dacy Mountain Goat Software Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Julie Chickering is the brains and brawn behind JC Agile Consulting, believes that Lean and Agile practices are packed with potential — to enable positive culture change, business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie is a past president and board member of the Agile Project Management Network (APLN), a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), as well as a traditional Project Management Professional (PMP).

Join Lance Dacy and Brian Milner as they discuss how to get the best out of the new year. Overview Something about that turn of the calendar from December to January makes us want to dig into planning, goal setting, and change. In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian Milner and Lance Dacy discuss how to get the best out of the new year. They’ll walk through why personal retrospectives are the key to determining where to look for change. From 30-day challenges to building relationships with others in the Agile community, to fostering a fertile learning culture, listen in for insight into what might work for you to accomplish the change you seek to make this year your best. Listen now to discover: [01:15] - Welcome to our first podcast of 2023. [01:55] - How opening up our calendars to a new year sets us up for planning new things. [03:17] - Lance walks us through the two types of leaders, the visionary and the executor. [04:13] - Brian shares the benefit of personal retrospectives. [07:15] - How 30-day challenges catapult us to success by breaking things down into smaller chunks. [10:56] - Lance shares why New Year’s resolutions set us up for failure. [12:35] - How to plan goals using backlogs and the cyclical nature of organizations. [13:09] - How to use cross-training to challenge team members to broaden their horizons in the new year. [13:09] - Why you need to think about your intentions when trying to influence up. [14:03] - Why do 30-day challenges work well to engage in a new task, project, or skill with an experimental mindset. [15:29] - Lance shares why it’s critical for Scrum Masters to help leadership and management formulate career plans to help grow the people in the organization. [16:33] - If you’re doing the same thing you did last year, you’re not Agile. [17:16] - How plugging into a community can help you maintain your focus for growth. [19:48] - Why being a Scrum Master and a lone wolf don’t mix. [22:36] - How networking can help you take your career to the next level. [24:10] - Why it pays to keep an open mind (even to that which you don’t agree with), so you don’t miss out on vital information that can change your trajectory. [26:07] - Growing as a Scrum Master and as a person. References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Mentors Community Meetup #13: What Does Cross-Functional Really Mean? with Lance Dacy Mountain Goat Software Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away.

Join Scott Dunn and Brian Milner as they discuss how to influence up, including the tools you can use to overcome difficulties and step into a partnership with the influential people in your organization for influence that creates lasting change. Overview While we all want to be heard, but we are sometimes met with leaders in our organization who are uninterested in our concerns or resistant to giving needed support. And sometimes, it's our approach that's causing our conversations to fall flat. In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian Milner and Scott Dunn share their real-world experience on what to do from your side to earn the right to influence up. They discuss what bosses, managers, leadership, stakeholders, and other higher-ups in the organization want and tools you can use to overcome the gaps and step into a partnership with the powerful people in your organization for lasting change. Listen now to discover: [01:06] - Today, Brian and Scott Dunn discuss influencing up. [01:40] - Scott shares how it's easier to influence if you meet people where they are. [03:46] - How to create a win-win by adjusting your communication style. [04:25] - Scott shares how to earn the right to influence up by making things happen on your side of the fence. [06:17] - How a mind of curiosity can help you negotiate your position when the higher-ups say they are 100% onboard with Agile except for… [08:22] - How to challenge management without losing your job or credibility. [10:05] - Why it's vital to look for opportunities to influence an organization at every level. [11:07] - Organizational taxes are the price of the privilege of working in an organization. [12:07] - Brian shares how even small iterations of Agile can move the needle in organizations. [13:09] - Why you need to think about your intentions when trying to influence up. [14:28] - Scott shares how you can introduce tenants of Agile to show people how to work differently, show up differently, and make a difference to improve an organization. [16:05] - How returning to values on the Agile Manifesto helps organizations create team dynamics that inspire respectful team dynamics. [18:59] - Scott shares how making your boss look good makes a big difference for everyone in the organization. [20:09] - Brian shares how to think like your boss so you can frame your approach in a way that speaks their language. [23:58] - The opportunity to 'choose your own adventure' within your organization through sharing information. [25:29] - How to use the power of story to give your boss the tools to help make the change to Agile. [27:11] - Scott shares how resources such as the Agile Mentors Community can help you delve deeper into community for insight into solving your influence issues. Listen in next time when Lance Dacy will be on the show. References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Manifesto #24: How Agile Organizations Respond to Challenging Economic Times with Scott Dunn #1: Scrum vs Agile & Keys to Success with Mike Cohn Lyssa Adkins How To Be Successful with Agile in Any Culture Christopher Avery - CEO & Founder -The Responsibility Company | LinkedIn Mountain Goat Software Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience coaching and training companies like NASA, EMC/Dell Technologies, Yahoo!, Technicolor, and eBay to transition to an agile approach using Scrum.

Julie Chickering sits down with Brian to share the best gift books for the Scrum masters in your life. Overview We all have those books on our bookshelves that we’ve had for years and still refer back to time and time again, or that new title that we’ve just read that blows our mind with the way it makes a new concept more relatable. Julie Chickering is a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and a traditional Project Management Professional (PMP). Today on the show, Julie joins Brian to discuss the most valuable books they’ve read, the lessons they’ve learned from them, and the best ones for giving to the Scrum Master in your life this holiday season. Listen now to discover: [01:06] - Today, Brian and Julie Chickering will be sharing the most valuable books we’ve read. [02:10] - Julie shares how a book called Two Beats Ahead is helping her learn to let go of her creations. [04:00] - Julie shares an interesting story of how Beyoncé invited musicians in for collaboration and how that opened her mind to learning from her community. [05:07] - Brian shares why Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great by Esther Derby and Diana Larson is his #1 book recommendation for Scrum Masters. [06:29] - Julie shares why she’s also a fan of Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great for the mix-and-mash recipe for creating menu selections. [08:06] - Julie shares why The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups insight into the three main things that make high-performing teams high-performing is her favorite book to give to the leaders on her list. [10:36] - Brian shares the three things from Daniel Pink’s Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us that align with Scrum. [12:34] - Julie shares how she learned to flip the script, start with the hard topics in a conversation, and finish with the positive from Daniel Pink, as included in his book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. [15:53] - Brian shares why Dan Pink’s books are most enjoyable via audio. [16:15] - Julie shares how a podcast interview with author Scott Sonenshein led her to his book called Stretch: Unlock the Power of Less -and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined, which helps teams unlock their potential to achieve more. [17:11] - Brian shares Frédéric Laloux's concept of the different colors of organizations as laid out in his book called Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness and how we can better enable change in organizations. [18:57] - Julie shares a book she recommends in Scrum Master class that’s great for sports fans called The Captain Class by Sam Walker, which walks the reader through what makes great sports teams great. [22:15] - Brian shares why sports analogies are great for teaching Scrum. [23:28] - Julie shares how even the Rolling Stones delve deep into figuring out how to improve. [24:30] - Why retrospectives are a great tool for improving the outcome of any mission. [28:25] - Brian shares why we still need to adjust to the current climate, even when the goal remains the same. [30:11] - Brian shares books by recent guests on the show, including Lead Without Blame: Building Resilient Learning Teams by Tricia Broderick, Strategise by Roman Pichler and Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition (Addison-Wesley Signature Series (Cohn)) by Lyssa Adkins. Listen in next time when Scott Dunn will be on the show. References and resources mentioned in the show Two Beats Ahead by Panos A. Panay and R. Michael Hendrix Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great by Esther Derby, Diana Larsen The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle DRIVE by Daniel Pink | Animated Core Message Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink Stretch: Unlock the Power of Less -and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined by Scott Sonenshein Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness by Frédéric Laloux The Captain Class by Sam Walker Lead Without Blame: Building Resilient Learning Teams by Tricia Broderick Strategise by Roman Pichler Coaching Agile Teams: A Companion for Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, and Project Managers in Transition (Addison-Wesley Signature Series (Cohn)) by Lyssa, Adkins Mountain Goat Software Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Julie Chickering is the brains and brawn behind JC Agile Consulting, believes that Lean and Agile practices are packed with potential — to enable positive culture change, business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie is a past president and board member of the Agile Project Management Network (APLN), a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), as well as a traditional Project Management Professional (PMP).

Tricia Broderick joins Brian to discuss how to lead without blame. Overview Vince Lombardi said, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made,” Great leadership is a learned skill, but in companies focused on the blame game, transparency and problem-solving becomes secondary to self-protection. Tricia Broderick is a leadership and organizational advisor. Today on the show, Tricia joins Brian to discuss how the blame game stifles great leadership and how the 4Cs can help leaders create safe spaces for highly connected, motivated teams to achieve better results and more impactful outcomes. Listen now to discover: [01:37] - Brian introduces us to Tricia Broderick, co-author of the new book, Lead Without Blame: Building Resilient Learning Teams. [02:36] - Is there a difference between a leader and an Agile leader? [04:18] - How exposure to the Agile community framework organically promotes leadership. [06:47] - How the blame game stifles leaders. [08:28] - When you're afraid of blame, you’re focused on self-protection instead of moving forward. [09:38] - Why impact is more important than intention and why taking responsibility for your impact is vital. [11:57] - Tricia shares what we really need for the most creative, quality-based results and outcomes. [14:43] - Tricia shares why we need to break free from a culture of blame and instead focus on shared goals for quality outcomes. [16:43] - Tricia shares the 4Cs of leadership. [17:52] - Great leaders aren’t afraid of complexity; they embrace uncertainty. [18:37] - Leaders instill confidence in others—having a leader that believes in you before you even believe in yourself has a huge motivating impact. [19:53] - Brian shares the concept of ‘dark leadership.’ [20:42] - Why compassion is the key to defeating imposter syndrome. [22:37] - It takes a courageous leader to create a safe space to challenge the status quo and seek out alternative ways for your team to operate. [25:37] - Why investing yourself personally and compassionately in the personal development of your team members isn't for the weak. [26:08] - The importance of the investment in a connection. [26:37] - Tricia shares the biggest takeaway for leaders. [27:31] - Tricia talks about resilient transparency and the leadership learning curve. Listen next time when Julie Chickering will be on the show. References and resources mentioned in the show Lead Without Blame: Building Resilient Learning Teams Mountain Goat Software Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Tricia Broderick’s transformational leadership, at all levels of an organization, ignites the growth of leaders and high-performing teams to deliver quality outcomes. Tricia has more than twenty years of experience in the software development industry. She is the author of Lead Without Blame: Building Resilient Learning Teams.

Lance Dacy joins Brian to discuss breaking down stories to get things done. Overview There are ways to break stories down into two- or three days worth of work across the team. But sometimes, they can be taken down to a level that devalues what your team is trying to deliver. Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer® with the Scrum Alliance® Today on the show, Lance joins Brian to discuss some of the questions you need to ask when breaking stories down. We discuss how to organize teams for the best outcome and share different systems and processes to determine how far is enough when breaking down stories to help your team deliver a usable product to the end user. Listen now to discover: [01:37] - Brian introduces us to Lance Dacy, his guest and neighbor. [02:29] - Brian shares how you can suggest a topic for a future podcast episode by emailing your suggestion to podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. [02:57] - Today, we're talking about getting work into its smallest component. [03:21] - Lance shares the four things teams need to do to be sure they are all speaking the same language when transitioning to Scrum. [03:44] - The make-or-break consequences of organizing teams for the best outcomes. [05:49] - Lance shares his insight on breaking things down into tasks in the product backlog. [07:47] - Lance uses a car cleaning analogy to break down the story into smaller tasks. [09:40] - In backlog refinement, we will start rounding out those acceptance criteria or conditions of satisfaction and make them their own story. [10:58] - Lance shares his system for determining how far is 'enough' when breaking down stories to be ready. [12:33] - The goal for each sprint planning session. [13:09] - Using the INVEST criteria to assess the quality of a user story. [13:48] - How small is too small? [15:17] - I love metrics, BUT metrics CAN BE misused. [15:55] - The key to not being surprised. [16:37] - Brian shares the importance of the V in the INVEST criteria. [18:14] - Vertically slicing stories to deliver something usable to the end user (the product owner). [21:42] - Using the SPIDR approach to splitting stories. [22:24] - Asking the right questions to create paths that lead to stories that turn into relevant products. [25:55] - The importance of interfaces when splitting up stories. [28:22] - The pros and cons of spikes—why they should be the exception and NOT the rule. [32:01] - Lance circles back to the consequences of creating your teams—focusing on the deliverables. [33:37] - Remember, releasing the product is independent of your sprint time box. Listen next time when we'll be discussing… Transformational Leadership with Tricia Broderick References and resources mentioned in the show What does INVEST Stand For? The S.P.I.D.R. Approach to Splitting Stories HOW TO SPLIT A USER STORY by Richard Lawrence Mountain Goat Software Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Lance Dacy, known as Big Agile, is a dynamic, experienced management and technical professional with the proven ability to energize teams, plan with vision, and establish results in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. He is a Certified Scrum Trainer® with the Scrum Alliance and has trained and coached many successful Scrum implementations from Fortune 20 companies to small start-ups since 2011.

Henrik Kniberg joins Brian to talk about creating the Spotify Model. Overview There are ways to get things done, and then there are the best ways to get things done. But the only way to arrive at the right way of doing things is to try and fail, to see what works and what doesn't. Henrik Kniberg is a Certified Scrum Trainer who has worked with teams like Spotify and LEGO to help them implement agile culture in their fast-moving and fast-growing environments. He's also the co-creator of the Spotify Model. Today on the show, Henrik joins Brian to discuss his accidental introduction to Spotify and how he inspired the company to transition to Scrum. We discuss the leadership model that helped the startup scale while holding its own against behemoths like Apple and Google. Plus, an inside look at his time as a designer with Minecraft. Listen now to discover: [01:55] - Brian shares Henrik's Agile Product Ownership in a Nutshell that's become required viewing. [02:22] - Brian shares some of the places on Henrik's resume, including Lego, Minecraft, and Spotify. [03:42] - Henrik shares his love for playing accompaniment musical instruments. [04:08] - Brian shares his professional musical background. [04:35] - Introducing the Spotify engineering culture videos that have sparked a thousand conversations about scaling challenges. [05:10] - Henrik shares the story of his accidental introduction to Spotify and how he inspired the startups to transition to Scrum. [8:26] - Henrik describes how the lack of off-the-shelf scaling frameworks led to his work with Spotify. [08:45] - Standard Scrum, by the books, works for small teams, but for scaling at larger teams like the one at Spotify, it's hard to find a "one size fits all" approach. [10:59] - How realizing 'this is what's helping us swim' during their impressive growth got all the technical leaders of Spotify on board with using Agile. [12:50] - Henrik shares the leadership model that helped Spotify scale up. [14:58] - How Spotify used the speed of innovation to stand against goliath-like competitors like Apple and Google. [16:30] - Convincing the investors that being able to iterate quickly (rather than through roadmaps) was the key to winning the game. [18:09] - Fueling future inspiration—why Spotify instituted the twice-a-year hack weeks for their entire organization. [21:36] - Henrik shares why leadership is the key to culture and driving change in an Agile organization. [24:19] - Brian shares why it's wise to make a change where you can benefit a company rather than hanging on to the now-extinct gold watch at retirement. [25:53] - "Go ahead and copy the Spotify model… and don't worry about someone telling you that you're doing it wrong because that's just you adapting." [26:44] - How the Spotify culture videos had the opposite outcome from what Henrik had planned. [29:54] - Brian asks Henrik an important Minecraft question (as posed by his daughter.) [30:36] - Henrik shares insider information about the guiding principles for designers at Minecraft (and how that led to the creation of Striders). [32:34] - Brian shares why copy/paste is only sometimes best. [32:46] - Henrik shares how creating video games differs from life applications. Listen next time when we'll be discussing… Getting to Small with Lance Dacy References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Product Ownership in a Nutshell Spotify Engineering Culture - Part 1 (aka the "Spotify Model") Spotify Engineering Culture - Part 2 (aka the "Spotify Model") Mountain Goat Software Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Henrik Kniberg is former member of the board of directors of the Agile Alliance and enjoys helping companies succeed with both the technical and human sides of software development. A Certified Scrum Trainer he’s worked with teams like Spotify and LEGO to help them implement agile culture in their fast-moving and fast-growing environments. He’s also the co-creator of the Spotify Model.

Scott Dunn joins Brian to talk about how Agile teams and organizations respond in difficult economic times. Overview Right now, the word recession is being bandied about, and big companies like Apple and Facebook are already beginning to scale back. But economic downturns can present opportunities for the right individuals. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with more than 20 years of experience. Today on the show, Scott joins Brian to discuss why now is the moment to hone in on your mission and determine your job market value and how Agile training can prepare you for any opportunity that comes your way. Listen now to discover: [01:52] - Brian shares how the word recession triggers companies to batten down the hatches. [03:19] - How leaning into Agile in an organization creates a natural operating cost reduction. [04:52] - Studies show organizations that invest during recessions are better positioned at the back end of it to, you know, accelerate like a rocket out of it. [06:55] - Scott explains how the Japanese concept of ‘danger opportunity’ offers teams a chance ‘to really do Agile’ and operate efficiently with less. [9:34] - How difficult times help companies prioritize and hone in on their mission and vision and stop trying to be everything to everybody. [12:57] - How organizations create unease and lack of employee trust. [14:46] - How Agile can help workplaces bring humanity back when responding to change. [16:18] -Scott shares a conversation with his daughter about voting with your feet and your values. [19:16] -Scott explains why companies need to invest in top talent to lower their technical debt. [20:17] - Why times like these require ruthlessness in proving out your theories. [22:10] - Scott shares why down economic times are opportunities in disguise for individuals to determine the types of environments they want to help flourish. [25:13] - Determining your job market value and the importance of looking at the total package of an opportunity. [28:30] -Is it really Agile, or is it Agile in name only? [31:33] - How taking classes at Mountain Goat can prepare you to bring your knowledge and skills to any opportunity. Listen next time when we'll be discussing… Scaling with Henrik Kniberg. References and resources mentioned in the show Mountain Goat Software Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Jim Collins The Hedgehog Concept Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience coaching and training companies like NASA, EMC/Dell Technologies, Yahoo!, Technicolor, and eBay to transition to an agile approach using Scrum.

John Miller joins Brian to talk about Agile in the classroom. Overview Agile classrooms help students develop skills that will serve them long after they've left the classroom. John Miller is a Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) and the Chief Empowerment Officer for Agile Classrooms. Today on the show, John joins Brian to share how he started introducing the Agile framework to educators. He walks us through how Agile classrooms help students solve complex problems while developing decision-making skills. He'll share how converting to an Agile classroom creates deeper, more fulfilling student and teacher relationships and the steps teachers can take to make their classroom an Agile classroom. Listen now to discover: [01:27] - Brian introduces John Miller and explains how, as a CEC, he's reached the highest rung on the Scrum Alliance certification ladder. [03:33] - How John got started with bringing Agile to the classroom. [06:09] - The collaboration between John and the educators to achieve the goal of creating a self-managing classroom. [09:45] - John shares how he went from thinking he'd ruined one class's education to watching them become one of the best self-managing groups he's ever seen. [12:16] - How children's lack of preconceived notions about how things are supposed to work helps them create teams that work. [13:48] - How an Agile classroom empowers students of all levels and learning abilities. [14:36] - The five levels of choice in an Agile classroom. [15:44] - John shares the objective of Agile classrooms to help students solve complex problems by developing choice-making skills. [17:55] - Brian shares that "Scrum is a sports analogy." [19:33] - Dark Scrum vs. Bright Scrum. John shares the formula he created using Ron Jeffries' term Dark Scrum. [24:06] - Is Agile dead, or are people just doing it wrong? [25:13] - John shares the levels of classrooms where Agile works best. Plus, which one did he work with that made him more nervous than high-level CEOs? [27:12] - John explains how the different dynamics lead to different success outcomes for incorporating Scrum into the classroom. [28:42] - What size classrooms achieve the most benefits from working with Scrum? [29:44] - John shares the steps teachers can take to make their classroom an Agile classroom. [31:20] - How converting to an Agile classroom creates deeper, more fulfilling teacher-student relationships. [31:53] - How Agile in the classroom acts as a bridge to industry and a life skills primer. References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Mentors Community Scrum Alliance Agile Classrooms Dark Scrum Agile Manifesto McGregor's Theory Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. John Miller is a Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) and the Chief Empowerment Officer for Agile Classrooms. Since 2012, John's mission through Agile Classrooms has been to help educators take a more innovative and creative approach to guiding faculty, managing their schools, and teaching students.

Roman Pichler joins Brian to talk about Product Roadmaps. Overview Product roadmaps help teams plan their everyday work and how their products will change over a year. But then, products evolve, and new data is collected and shared. Companies must then decide how to adapt and progress. So, how can we then create a product roadmap? Roman Pichler is an internationally renowned product management expert specializing in product strategy, leadership, and agility. Today on the show, Roman joins Brian to discuss how to create helpful product roadmaps that create value for the end users in a Scrum based context to move forward and simplify product management. Listen now to discover: [00:06] - Brian introduces Roman Pichler, one of his 'agile heroes. [00:35] - Brian shares about the book Strategise, 2nd Edition. [02:54] - Roman answers the question, "What is a Product Roadmap?" [03:58] - Roman explains if product roadmaps are helpful in an agile Scrum based context. [05:31] - Roman discusses using outcome-based goal-oriented roadmaps to determine a company's product value. [07:33] - Roman shares some examples of goals on a product roadmap. [08:12] - Why a goal-oriented based roadmap is all about outcomes. [09:35] - Brian shares insight into Roman's downloadable Go Product Roadmap. [10:07] - Roman shares how the latest version of the Scrum guide fits in with protocols, product goals, and outcome-based roadmaps. [11:54] - Why Roman adds time frame constraints into his product end goals. [14:41] - Roman shares the two things you need to succeed with collaborative product road mapping in an agile space. [16:40] - Roman explains how to incorporate time frame constraints into your roadmap. [19:40] - The difference between an internal and external product roadmap for public consumption. [21:11] - The importance of an impact analysis when determining whether to stick with a specific delivery date or fully meeting a goal. [25:00] - How to get precise estimates for your team. [26:15] - Roman shares his 'sweet spot' for making outcome-based investment decisions. [28:40] - Roman advises setting dates on (internal) roadmaps for contract-based environments. [29:06] - Roman shares Apple's trade-off decision when they launched the original iPhone in 2007. [31:40] - How to use goals to track the most valuable metrics. [34:41] - The importance of understanding the needs of the stakeholders. [35:19] - Roman shares the importance of balancing expectations with empathy for improved collaboration. [39:12] - Brian shares a funny story about the difference in polite communication between Americans and our friends on the other side of the pond. [40:46] - Roman shares why you shouldn't relinquish product road mapping in an agile space too soon. Listen next time when we'll be discussing… Agile and education with John Miller. References and resources mentioned in the show Roman Pichler Strategise Go Product Roadmap Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we'd love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Please share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode's presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Roman Pilcher is a leading product management expert specializing in product strategy, leadership, and agility. He has advised product leaders and taught product managers and owners for over 15 years, pioneering agile product management practices. Roman shares his knowledge through his training courses, books, and podcast. You can find his popular Product Vision Board and Go Product Roadmap on his website.

Brian speaks with Stacey Ackerman about working with Marketing teams using Agile. While the majority of teams using Agile are based in software, one of the fastest growing areas for Scrum teams is in Marketing. There’s a natural fit as Marketers are used to using such practices as A/B testing and getting quick results that feed their next steps. As you can imagine, there are a unique set of challenges that a marketing team presents that other Scrum teams don’t necessarily have to deal with as well. In this episode, Stacey talks us through the process that marketing teams follow when attempting to apply agile principles to their work. Listen now to discover: - 2:28 - what’s different about the way marketing teams approach agile? - 8:51 - what is the Agile Marketing Navigator and how are teams using it? - 15:05 - Stacey goes over the different roles - 17:43 - what are the chief problems marketing teams deal with in adopting this? Listen next time when we’ll be discussing… Product Roadmaps with Roman Pichler! References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Marketing Manifesto Agile Marketing Navigator Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us as podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Stacey Ackerman is one of the few agile coaches and trainers that got her start in marketing. After graduating from journalism school, she worked as a content writer, strategist, director, and adjunct marketing professor. She became passionate about agile as a better way to work in 2012 when she experimented with it for an ad agency client. Since then she has been a scrum master, agile coach and has helped with numerous agile transformations with teams across the globe. Stacey speaks at several agile conferences, has more certs to her name than she can remember and loves to practice agile at home with her family. As a lifelong Minnesotan, she recently relocated to North Carolina where she’s busy learning how to cook grits and say “y’all."

Mike and Brian take audience questions in the “best of” from the Agile Mentors Community’s monthly coaching calls. Overview Twice a month, there is an open Q&A session we offer as part of the Agile Mentors Community where anyone from the community can join in and ask either Mike or Brian questions. These are open discussions and allow the users to ask their own questions that are unique to their situations. We call these “Coaching Calls” because they are there to help coach the members and help them overcome obstacles along the way.  Everyone who takes a class with Mountain Goat Software receives 12 months membership in the Agile Mentors Community and they are able to attend these calls and ask questions. Take a listen to some of the best questions we’ve received over the past few months to get an idea of what these sessions are all about. By the way, we are aware there are a few places where the audio is not perfect in this episode and apologize for the less-than-ideal audio in several places. This is because these answers come from live sessions and there were a few streaming hiccups while delivering them. Listen now to discover:  3:10 - Brian: How to conduct fun retrospectives when you aren’t allowed to use cloud-based tools? 7:40 - Mike: How much planning is needed to ensure we complete items in a Sprint? 11:50 - Brian: Do you change the story points on an item if it turns out to be bigger than you thought? 14:50 - Mike: Why use Fibonacci numbers to estimate? 18:05 - Brian: Should Product Owners attend a Daily Scrum? 20:25 - Mike: What’s the best practice for capturing Non-Functional Requirements? 23:00 - Brian: How do you get your first experience as a Scrum Master if you have none? 26:46 - Mike: Tips for starting out with a new team? Listen next time when we’ll be discussing… Next week we will be taking a very short break of just one week. We are trying to practice a sustainable pace approach and are taking just one week off in order to do that. References and resources mentioned in the show Funretrospectives.com Agilementors.com Want to get involved?  This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.  Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us as podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are:  Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Mike Cohn is co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, and founder of Mountain Goat Software. He’s a veteran of applying Scrum and agile principles and practices to help organizations build better products and ship them on time.

This week, Brian Milner is joined by Julie Chickering to talk about the wild world of Project Management. Overview Brian Milner and Julie Chickering discuss how the world of project management can blend successfully with an Agile approach. There seems to sometimes be an attitude that it’s an either/or decision with these two. In this podcast, we take a look at how to blend them, how project managers fit in, and how these two disciplines can coexist. Julie brings her experience to this discussion having come from the project management realm.  Listen now to discover: 3:42 - Brian asks Julie about the general distrust between these communities 6:15 - Julie shares that 50% of the PMP exam now is on Agile practices 8:38 - Julie brings up the dreaded status report - Green / Yellow / Red 12:10 - Julie brings up the politics of Green / Yellow / Red 15:10 - Julie talks about the cost of poor quality 16:26 - Are we in the Agile community making PMs feel wrong? 17:22 - Brian discusses Outcomes vs Output 26:10 - Brian asks about PMs who are in companies making transitions. What happens to the project managers? Listen next time when we’ll be discussing... Brian and Mike Cohn share some of the best questions from their live coaching calls on the Agile Mentors community. References and resources mentioned in the show Monty Python Project Management Institute The Cowman and the Farmer Should be Friends from Oklahoma! HBR article on Output vs Outcomes From Project Manager to Scrum Master - 3 Tips for Making the Transition Agile Project Management by Jim Highsmith The Software Project Manager’s Bridge to Agility by Michele Sliger and Stacia Broderick PM Illustrated: A Visual Learner’s Guide to Project Management by Mike Griffiths - free on Kindle Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Julie Chickering is a certified Scrum Trainer as well as a CST, PMP, PMI-ACP CSM, CSPO, and Path to CSP Educator. She believes that Agile practices are packed with potential — to enable business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie loves to help people implement agile even when the environments are messy, people are complicated, and situations are challenging. She brings real-world experience working with people at all levels to adopt and roll out realistic Agile strategies organization-wide.

Lyssa Adkins joins Brian to talk about the wonderful world of Agile coaching. Overview When you think of the term “Agile Coach,” what comes to mind for you? This term has meant many different things over the years. Are we talking about a role or an approach? Lyssa Adkins, author of Coaching Agile Teams, joins Brian to dive into this topic. Lyssa has written and spoken about this topic for years and many would say she had a large hand in defining what we now call agile coaching. Listen now to discover:  02:05 - Brian shares a story about Lyssa from the Vienna Scrum Gathering conference 06:40 - Lyssa answers the question, “What is an Agile Coach?” 08:10 - Lyssa explains the unintended consequence of using the term “coach” in her book 12:02 - Lyssa talks about the “X-Wing Diagram” and the 5 coaching stances 18:50 - Lyssa talks about not colluding when someone in power pushes something you disagree with 27:04 Lyssa talks about coaching in a remote world Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Project Management with Julie Chickering. References and resources mentioned in the show Coaching Agile Teams by Lyssa Adkins Agile Coach Competency Framework Developing Great Agile Coaches whitepaper describing 5 coaching stances What is an Agile Coach? talk with Lyssa Adkins and Michael Spayd Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Lyssa Adkins has been one of the foundational voices in the Agile community for years now. Her book Coaching Agile Teams has been a best seller for over 12 years now. She released an audio version of this classic book on its 10th anniversary. In 2010, Lyssa co-founded the Agile Coaching Institute which has developed over 10,000 people in the knowledge, skills, and being-ness needed to yield genuinely competent agile coaching. She is a member of the ICAgile working committee and has served as a reviewer for the Scrum Alliance’s Certified Enterprise Coach certification program. Lyssa is also dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and is a founder of TENWOMENSTRONG #WomenInAgile programs.   Show edited by Rhett Gill.

David Hawks joins Brian to discuss the process of an organization becoming Agile. Overview When you read through the Scrum Guide, the picture it paints is of the desired end result - what the team/organization should look like when finished. There’s surprising little said though about how you get from where you are to where you want to eventually be. Enter the topic of Agile Transformations. There is a journey that organizations undertake when they decide to adopt Agile and like any journey, it’s always helpful to have a guide to help you get there who has been through it before. David Hawks joins Brian to share his experience in helping countless organizations make this journey to become Agile. Listen now to discover:  03:10 Brian asks David what the biggest hurdle is that organizations have when adopting Agile? 05:24 David explains that multiple levels the organization needs to focus on in the process 11:00 David talks about “Implementing Practices over Outcomes” 16:30 Brian asks what individuals who aren’t leaders can do to help? 20:20 Brian asks David to explain how his Path to Agility helps address these issues? 29:35 Brian talks about the Spotify Engineering Culture videos example Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Agile Coaching with Lyssa Adkins! References and resources mentioned in the show Path To Agility & Agile Velocity SAFe and LeSS Yellowstone spinoff 1883 Oregon Trail Spotify Engineering Culture Video 1 and Video 2 Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  David Hawks is the CEO of both Agile Velocity and Path to Agility. He is a Certified Scrum Trainer as well as a Certified Enterprise Coach with the Scrum Alliance - their top two certifications. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems degree from the University of Texas at Austin. His love for his beloved Longhorns from UT is only eclipsed by his love (and expertise) in tailgating prior to their home games!   Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Mitch Lacey joins Brian to talk about building quality into our work. Overview The Scrum Guide says the developers own quality and that it is both a right and responsibility of the team. What does that look like though? What do we mean when we say quality? How do teams practically go about building quality or is it just “baked in?” Join Brian and Mitch Lacey as they discuss this all important secret ingredient to the Scrum framework and hear why it’s so vital to a team’s success.   Listen now to discover:  2:25 Mitch explains what we mean by quality 6:48 Brian asks Mitch how to tell when you are “gold plating” things? 12:30 Brian asks about the developer who thinks the code needs to be perfect before they release 16:55 Brian talks about the last stage of the creative process is releasing 21:25 Mitch relates self-accountability to a recent Soccer(Football) match 22:34 Brian and Mitch discuss the infamous “Squirrel Burger” story Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  David Hawks joins us as we discuss transformations. References and resources mentioned in the show Test Driven Development “Squirrel Burger” story Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Mitch Lacey is an agile practitioner and trainer. Mitch has been managing projects for over fifteen years & is credited with many plan-driven & agile projects. He is the author of “The Scrum Field Guide,” a book targeting teams adopting agile and Scrum practices. He has published many papers, including “Adventures in Promiscuous Pairing,” “Transitioning to Agile: Key Lessons Learned in the Field,” “The Impacts of Poor Estimating -& How to Fix It,” plus a variety of papers for Microsoft and “Immersive Interviewing -Building Great Agile Software Teams.” Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Brian takes some of the most popular questions about Scrum from Quora.com and answers them. Overview If you are unfamiliar with it, Quora.com is a site people in the technology industry go to to ask and answer questions. For a change of pace, I decided to take a batch of the most popular questions from the site and provide my own answers to them. If you have questions you’d like to include in a similar episode in the future, make sure to email them to podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com.   Listen now to discover:  01:14 Brian explains the premise behind this episode’s topic 02:25 Question 1: Why do iterations in Agile start from Wednesday to Tuesday rather than Monday to Friday? 09:00 Question 2: Are Burndown charts even useful? 16:14 Question 3: Who decides sprint duration in a Scrum project? 18:50 Question 4: As a Scrummaster, how do you deal with people being late or refusing to come to Daily Scrums? 24.32 Question 5: Can a User Story be used for bugs? 26:54 Question 6: Can Agile work without a Scrummaster?   Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Join us next time where we will be discussing the topic of Quality with our guest Mitch Lacey.    References and resources mentioned in the show Send your questions for a future episode to podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com.   Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com   This episode’s presenter is: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Scott Dunn joins Brian to talk about what it means to be product-centric Overview Being product-centric has become a recent buzzword and objective for companies. But what does it mean? Is it the next stage of becoming agile? Or is it something that should drive an agile transformation in the first place? In this episode Scott and Brian discuss their definitions of what it means to be product-centric, and whether this is different to being customer-focused. They also look at the limitations that can stop teams from being more focused on the customer and long-term product value, such as being forced to fight those daily fires.  Listen now to discover:  00:23 - What does the term product-centric mean?  07:13 - Is there a difference between being product-centric and customer focused?  14:47 - Are nonprofits customer-focused entities? 22:02 - Does product-centric mean putting quality first?  28:23 - How does a disconnect between leadership and teams affect things?  Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Next time, I’ll be answering questions you’ve sent into the show as well as addressing other common agile questions.    References and resources mentioned in the show Impact Mapping and Story Mapping The Scrum Guide Kano Model for prioritization Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Certified Scrum Trainer with more than 20 years of experience in management, project management (PMP), engagement management, and software development (MCSD). He is passionate about strengths-based teams and a solutions-based approach to people and organizational issues. Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Lance Dacy joins Brian to dig into cross-functionality. Overview You will often hear people say that Scrum teams are cross-functional. But what do we mean when we say that? Are we talking about a jack of all trades but master of none? Do we want team members who can do anything? How does a cross-functional team actually work together and what should we do as agilists to support and nurture cross-functionality in our teams? Join as we discuss these and other aspects of cross-functional teams. Listen now to discover:  02:00 Lance tells us how he defines cross-functional teams 04:34 Brian compares cross-functional teams to the A-Team 08:58 Lance talks about generalists vs specialists 12:39 Brian talks about T-shaped individuals 18:05 Brian discusses the Equity Couch 24:10 Brian describes the Market of Skills tool 27:45 Lance talks about personality profiles 29:20 Brian asks Lance about how to handle cross-functionality on specialist teams Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Scott Dunn joins us again to discuss the term ‘product-centric.’  References and resources mentioned in the show The A-Team Market of Skills by Lyssa Adkins OSEMN Process What does Scrum mean by Cross-functional? Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away. Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Kert joins Brian again to talk about Kanban Kanban is a pull system of working where work is ‘pulled’ in based on a team’s capacity. Whether it’s a card from a backlog, or a bin of items on a manufacturing floor, the concept of pulling in work is common to both kanban and scrum. It supports the idea of being agile because whenever you’re pulling work in, you’re basing it on the latest feedback and emergent needs so that you can focus on delivering the most value. Listen now for an overview of Kanban as well as common mistakes to avoid.  Listen now to discover:  00:48 - The origin of Kanban’s meaning 04:34 - How the principles of Kanban are expressed in Scrum  07:00 - Common misconceptions people have about Kanban 09:00 - The five pillars of Kanban 12:58 - How to get started  19:41 - How to improve your current Kanban process Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  I’ll be joined by Lance Dacy as we talk about cross-functional teams.  References and resources mentioned in the show Kanban University The Official Guide to the Kanban Method Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Kert began his professional career as a Software Engineer in NASA's Space Shuttle program, affording him practical insights into the daily challenges faced by engineers, designers, and testers. Driven by the belief that learning unlocks potential, Kert has pioneered educational programs for Dell, Rockwell Collins, Amazon.com, and Capital One Financial. Kert is one of the few trainers world-wide to be actively credentialed as both a Scrum and Kanban trainer by Scrum Alliance and Kanban University, respectively.  Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Brian and Mike talk about why and how to use Story Points in estimating. Overview  To estimate or not to estimate. There are many different views on the matter. It’s important then to start with why. Why would we spend time estimating in the first place? What is the benefit of that effort? Do all Agile teams need to estimate? Join Brian Milner and Mike Cohn as they discuss estimating using Story Points in order to plan for things such as releases. Listen now to discover:  1:51 - Mike talks about the 3 reasons why would we estimate in the first place? 4:30 - Brian asks about the #NoEstimates movement 8:00 - Brian talks about the marketing aspect of his conference talk this year 9:42 - Mike defines what a Story Point is 14:30 - Mike talks about using Story Points as a performance metric 21:20 - Mike talks about consistency in point scales across teams 25:58 - Mike talks about working with contractual constraints when using Story Points Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Join us as we dive into Kanban with Kert Peterson. We’ll talk about this close relative to Scrum and discuss how these two can coexists in today’s Agile world. References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Estimating and Planning by Mike Cohn Agile Estimating and Planning online ecourse by Mike Cohn Woody Zuill of the #noestimates movement (and Mob Programming) Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Mike Cohn is co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, and founder of Mountain Goat Software. He’s a veteran of applying Scrum and agile principles and practices to help organizations build better products, and ship them on time. Show edited by Rhett Gill

Brian and Mike talk about how to capture requirements with User Stories. User Stories are not native to Scrum. We actually borrow the practice from XP. Traditionally, requirements were gathered in huge binders that were very detailed and complex. These were considered complete and were locked down when development began. Teams quickly found that change was a constant and this method of capturing requirements didn’t allow for requirements to emerge. Enter User Stories.  Listen now to discover:  2:15 - Mike talks about the history of User Stories 4:00 - Mike discusses the problem User Stories is attempting to solve 4:58 - Mike talks about making lunch 7:30 - Mike talks about when NOT to use User Stories 10:26 - Mike and Brian talk about The Beatles 14:00 - Is As a User an ok way to start a User Story? 15:00 - Mike talks about Job Stories 19:55 - Mike talks about some common mistakes people make with User Stories 23:00 - Is the So That clause needed? Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Mike Cohn returns to discuss Estimating with Brian. Mike has written a book about this (Agile Estimating and Planning) and will share his insights on this important topic. References and resources mentioned in the show User Stories Applied - by Mike Cohn Better User Stories course - by Mike Cohn Billboard interview with Paul McCartney where he talks about using personal pronouns Intercom who makes chatbots Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Mike Cohn is co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, and founder of Mountain Goat Software. He’s a veteran of applying Scrum and agile principles and practices to help organizations build better products, and ship them on time. Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Brian and Kert talk about the final component of the Scrum Framework - Artifacts.  Overview  The term “artifact” seems a bit strange, doesn’t it? Why would the authors of Scrum include this as a component of the framework? What are the main artifacts that Scrum prescribes? And what are some of the other artifacts that are not required but many teams see as helpful to the running of a Scrum team? In this episode, Brian and Kert will discuss this final component of the Scrum framework in the Scrum Framework series and give you pointers on how to make the most out of the Scrum artifacts. Listen now to discover:  3:45 - hear Kert and Brian talk about the roots of this term 6:15 - Kert talks about his experience with documentation working at NASA 9:15 - Kert talks about the two backlogs in Scrum 12:30 - Brian and Kert talk about what level of detail is needed in backlog items 16:12 - Who is the therapist on a Scrum team? 19:00 Is tasking out everything required for Sprint Planning? 23:41 - Kert talks about how Ken Schwaber called Scrum, “The Art of the Possible” 31:27 Brian and Kert talk about the Definition of Done 33:24 Brian talks about a tool to facilitate the creation of a Definition of Done Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Mike Cohn returns to discuss User Stories with Brian. Mike has literally written the book on User Stories (User Stories Applied) and shares his wealth of experience and knowledge on the subject. References and resources mentioned in the show Married at First Site - Lifetime TV Network Larry Maccherone talks about Kanban Metrics David A. Koontz’s exercise for creating a Definition of Done Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Kert began his professional career as a Software Engineer in NASA's Space Shuttle program, affording him practical insights into the daily challenges faced by engineers, designers, and testers. Driven by the belief that learning unlocks potential, Kert has pioneered educational programs for Dell, Rockwell Collins, Amazon.com, and Capital One Financial. Kert is one of the few trainers world-wide to be actively credentialed as both a Scrum and Kanban trainer by Scrum Alliance and Kanban University, respectively.

Join Brian Milner and guest co-host Scott Dunn as they discuss why the retrospective is an important part of agile and how to use this meeting to help teams to improve continuously. Overview In this episode, Brian Milner is joined by guest co-host Scott Dunn, Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer, to get insights into delivering retrospective sessions that energize and inform the whole team — while ensuring they are effective at meeting goals. A sprint retrospective is a great way for teams to reflect on the previous sprint but this meeting can become stale if you sleepwalk your way through the same agenda every time. Brian and Scott discuss the Scrum Master’s responsibility to take ownership of the retrospective and the importance of developing a toolkit of techniques that you can use and adapt to engage and motivate your teams. There are many great retrospective ideas in the Agile community, including variations and additions on the basic questions and creative facilitation techniques. Sharing their experiences and offering advice to Scrum Masters on how to empower their teams, drive participation and unlock creativity, Brian and Scott discuss the importance of innovation and how to establish a culture of trust and accomplishment to maximize the value of this meeting. Listen now to discover: ·       00:03:00 - Why Scrum Masters need to establish safety for retrospectives to work ·       00:07:00 - How to structure a retrospective to motivate teams ·       00:09:00 - Why it is not the Scrum Master’s responsibility to resolve all impediments ·       00:11:00 - How to empower your team to have more agency over the work and make a difference as team members ·       00:13:30 - Why Scrum Masters need to take ownership of the retrospective ·       00:19:00 - Why you need to change up your retrospective to engage your team ·       00:19:30 - How to conduct fun and engaging retrospectives ·       00:23:58 - How to influence and shape your team’s culture ·       00:26:10 - How to get value from a retrospective with an introverted team References and resources mentioned in the show ·       Strengths-based Leadership - Gallup ·       Training from the Back of the Room – Sharon Bowman ·       Marcus Buckingham ·       Agile Retrospectives - Making Good Teams Great - Esther Derby and Diana Larson Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ·       Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ·       Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Certified Scrum Trainer with more than 20 years of experience in management, project management (PMP), engagement management, and software development (MCSD). He is passionate about strengths-based teams and a solutions-based approach to people and organizational issues.

Join Brian Milner and Julie Chickering as they discuss the true purpose of the Sprint Review and why it is a mistake to call this event a ‘demo’. Overview  Brian Milner talks with Julie Chickering about Sprint Reviews, addressing the myth that the Sprint Review is primarily an opportunity to ‘demo’ the increment to stakeholders. As an experienced Project Management Professional, Julie shares her perspective on the Sprint Reviews from a project management viewpoint. She shares different ways to approach this event and offers advice on what components are needed for a good quality Sprint Review. Brian and Julie agree that the Sprint Review meeting is probably the most important Scrum event for product people as it encourages collaboration and generates the feedback required to increase the chances of creating a successful product. However, opinions on who should attend the meeting, how it should be run, and how to collect relevant feedback can change quite considerably from one organization to another. Are you holding Sprint Reviews every Sprint? Do you have Stakeholders in your Sprint Reviews? Are you getting valuable feedback from your Stakeholders in your Sprint Reviews? Brian and Julie discuss why you should be answering “Yes” to each of these questions and share their tips on how to make your Sprint Review more effective. Listen now to discover: ·       00:06:06 - How the Scrum Review saves time in the long run ·       00:10:20 - The benefits of reducing the distance between the developer and the end user  ·       00:11:49 - The Stakeholder feedback window – how long should feedback take? ·       00:12:19 - Why you should never skip a Sprint Review ·       00:12:30 - Why Stakeholders need to be constantly engaged for a Scrum team to be successful ·       00:13:49 - The integral role of the Product Owner in Sprint Reviews ·       00:17:05 - Why you shouldn’t cancel a Sprint Review even if work isn’t “done” ·       00:21:36 - Why you need to clarity the definition of “done” to Stakeholders ·       00:27:19 - Tips and feedback to anyone wanting to improve their Sprint Reviews ·       00:31:02 - The importance of preparation before Sprint Reviews ·       00:34:29 - Methods of collecting feedback ·       00:39:32 - The best order for a Sprint review ·       00:41:36 - How to coach stakeholders to increase team productivity Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Sprint Retrospectives with guest co-host Scott Dunn. You’ll learn the primary importance of this Scrum event and how to run effective and engaging Sprint Retrospective meetings that boost productivity and lead to positive change. References and resources mentioned in the show ·       Daniel Pink – When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ●  Enjoyed what you heard today? Take a second to leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ●  Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Julie Chickering is a certified Scrum Trainer as well as a CST, PMP, PMI-ACP CSM, CSPO, and Path to CSP Educator. She believes that Agile practices are packed with potential - to enable business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie loves to help people implement agile even when the environments are messy, people are complicated, and situations are challenging. She brings real-world experience working with people at all levels to adopt and roll out realistic Agile strategies organization-wide.

This week, Brian Milner is joined by Julie Chickering to talk about the best practices and common pitfalls to avoid during the Daily Scrum event. Overview Brian Milner and Julie Chickering discuss the true purpose of the Daily Scrum and how to make this 15-minute meeting more efficient. According to the Scrum Guide, the Daily Scrum is to inspect progress towards the Sprint Goal, synchronize activities, and create a plan for the next 24 hours. Debunking the myth that “The Daily Scrum is a Status Meeting”, Julie and Brian share their first-hand experience of this misconception and show Scrum Masters how to transform the Daily Scrum into a purposeful and collaborative planning session led by the Developers, for the Developers. You’ll learn how to get your Daily Scrum under control and discover new approaches to encourage productivity, accountability and collective ownership as well as Daily Scrum formats that encourage teamwork. Finally, Brian and Julie dive deep into the struggles brought by remote working and the many alternatives to tackle this issue. Listen now to discover: -        02:00 - The purpose of the daily scrum and common misconceptions -        11:00 - How to use the sprint backlog to prioritize work -        00:12 - The importance of teamwork and striving for smaller stories that flow -        14:56 - How to encourage developers to take ownership of the Daily Scrum -        00:20 - Suggestions for Daily Scrum formats to encourage teamwork -        00:22 - When to update items on the Sprint Backlog to benefit the Daily Scrum meeting -        00:25 - How to encourage accountability and collective ownership of work -        00:27 - How to monitor and assess unplanned work and forecast velocity -        00:35 - Guidelines for problem identification and problem solving during the Daily Scrum -        00:38 - How to adapt the Daily Scrum for distributed teams in a remote world -        00:44 - The benefits of cross training -        00:45 - The 16th minute concept -        00:47 - Ken Schwaber’s clockwise scrum methodology Listen next time when we’ll be discussing... Julie joins Brian again to explain the true purpose of the Sprint Review and why it is a mistake to call this event a ‘demo’. References and resources mentioned in the show ·       Agile Project Management with Scrum by Ken Schwaber ·       The Scrum Guide Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ·       Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ·       Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Julie Chickering is a certified Scrum Trainer as well as a CST, PMP, PMI-ACP CSM, CSPO, and Path to CSP Educator. She believes that Agile practices are packed with potential — to enable business agility, and breakthrough results. Julie loves to help people implement agile even when the environments are messy, people are complicated, and situations are challenging. She brings real-world experience working with people at all levels to adopt and roll out realistic Agile strategies organization-wide.

In this episode, Scott Dunn and Brian review the key aspects of leading an effective sprint planning meeting: its purpose, how it works, who attends, and ensuring yours are achieving the desired result. Overview Brian Milner and Scott Dunn discuss product ownership and leading a sprint planning meeting. 2020’s Scrum Guide introduced new guidance: sprint planning must go beyond the WHAT and the HOW of product backlog items to the WHY, specifically why is the sprint valuable? Scott shares his firsthand experience of how to run an effective sprint planning meeting, including focusing on the ‘Why?’ plus practical advice on increasing an agile team’s motivation and engagement. You’ll learn why the product owner-development team relationship is the linchpin of sprint-planning success and the primacy of preparation, forward vision, and a value-driven mindset. Final advice includes better communication of expectations with distributed team members and aligning with the evolving nature of the tech landscape through trying new approaches. Listen now to discover: ·       04:00 – How asking ‘Why?’ adds value and motivates, empowers, and engages teams ·       07:00 – Why the relationship between the product owner and development team is the linchpin of success ·       10:00 – What level of detail Scrum teams should be striving for during a sprint planning meeting ·       12:00 – The purpose of a sprint review and what needs to change in order to support inclusive collaboration ·       14:00 – How to leave room for discovery with minimal documentation ·       15:52 – How flexible requirements and ongoing conversation enable collaboration and employee engagement ·       17:00 – How to remain focused on driving value when facilitating sprint planning meetings ·       19:00 – The mindset shift required to define value through conversation and negotiation ·       21:30 – Craig Larman methodology - culture follows structure ·       22:00 – Why assigning work during sprint planning kills collaboration and team spirit ·       26:00 – The purpose of the sprint planning meeting and how to maximize the time allocated ·       27:30 – The restrictions of forward planning and how to find confidence in emergent architecture to align with the changing nature of tech organizations ·       30:00 – How product owners in sprint planning can improve efficiency through preparation ·       34:00 – Tips for distributed teams: adapting to remote working, improving communication, and more effective sprint planning ·       40:30 – The ‘Inspect and Adapt’ concept: the importance of trying new approaches and implementing new methods.  Listen next time when we’ll be discussing . . . Daily scrums with certified Scrum trainer, Julie Chickering. You’ll learn the true purpose of this 15-minute time-boxed event as well as common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid in this meeting. References and resources mentioned in the show: ·       Larman's Laws of Organizational Behavior ·       David Hawks Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. ·       Enjoyed what you heard today? Take a second to leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. ·       Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are: Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work. Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Certified Scrum Trainer with more than 20 years of experience in management, project management (PMP), engagement management, and software development (MCSD). He is passionate about strengths-based teams and a solutions-based approach to people and organizational issues. Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Join Brian Milner and Sherman Gomberg for a discussion of the importance of a Scrum team’s developers and why self-organizing teams are at the heart of agile methodologies like Scrum.  In this episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian Milner and Sherman Gomberg discuss the evolution of one of the Scrum roles: developer. They also explain why self-organizing teams of developers have become critical to all organizations.  On agile projects, developers are the people who “do the work” and while at first glance you may see agile developers as always engineers or other software development professionals, that’s not invariably the case. According to the Scrum Guide, the development team can be composed of all kinds of people including designers, writers, programmers, etc. Using over 25 years of Scrum, agile, and project management experience, Sherman and Brian compare notes on the topic of how to build and sustain agile, self-organizing teams. They share their insights and advice on why empowering individuals to work in cross-functional agile teams leads to greater efficiency, higher rewards, and lower risks.  Listen now to discover:  -       03:38 –How to tell whether your agile team is self-organizing -       05:25 – The advantages of having self-organized teams in agile environments  -       07:10 – Bruce Tuckman’s four stages of team development: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing -       09:17 – Advice for Scrum Masters and product owners on how to promote self-organization among team members -       09:60 – The parallels between software teams and sports teams: self-organize and work together to shine  -       13:34 – How and why to build a learning organization  -       18:00 – The definition of “self-managing” as cited by the Scrum Guide -       22:00 – How to address bug-fixing and technical debt during a sprint -       28:00 – The three most valuable practices adopted by developers in a sprint -       37:50 – The importance of understanding the developer role and why all three roles on a Scrum team should take a Scrum developer course -       40:48 – The role of a tech lead in Scrum   -    43:00 – Why it is essential to form a team of equals and how self-organization works to support this  Listen next time when we’ll be discussing… Sprint planning with guest co-host Scott Dunn. You’ll learn about the sprint planning event as described in the Scrum Guide and the 3 essential “Why? What? How?” topics addressed in order to plan successful sprints. References and resources mentioned in the show ●      Scrum Guide ●      The Bruce Tuckman Model ●      The Agile Manifesto       Want to get involved?  This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  ●      Enjoyed what you heard today? Don’t forget to rate and review: it really helps!  ●      Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are:  Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Sherman Gomberg is CEO at Scrum Adventures, Inc. He is a CTC and has a total of eleven certifications from the Scrum Alliance. He has over 25 years of experience with agile, Scrum, and project management across various industries. He enjoys working with teams during breakout sessions in online courses, where he helps to bring curiosity to valuable discussions and in doing so, moves the needle from training to knowledge obtained to knowledge applied.

Join Brian Milner and guest co-host Lance Dacy to look at the key capabilities of the product owner, mistakes to avoid, and getting maximum business value from the resources available.  In this episode, Brian Milner and guest co-host Lance Dacy take a detailed look at the role of the product owner.  They discuss a common source of confusion about what a product owner is, or does: people try to boil down the role to its tactical processes—such as writing user stories. The product owner may be accountable for these processes, but providing direction for what the team is trying to accomplish is their forte.  Product owners need to be great communicators and collaborators, with passion for solving problems with their product. Brian and Lance share their experiences of what makes a great product owner, the importance of protecting a team’s capacity, and why saying no is often essential to protecting the vision. Listen now to discover:  04:10 - What’s the difference between a product owner and a product manager?  07:25 - Henrick Kniberg’s criteria for successful product owners  08:57 - Why Scrum Masters focus on the how and product owners focus on the why 09:05 - What does ‘being passionate’ mean to a product owner?  12:48 - The mistake of trying to be too productive as a product owner  19:46 - Can you combine other roles with that of the product owner?  25:55 - What should you find out about a company before accepting a job offer as a product owner?  34:49 - Why one of the most important things you can do is act as a steward of the team’s capacity   Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  A special bonus episode with details about Brian’s talks at the upcoming Scrum Gathering on June 6-8   References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Product Ownership in a Nutshell - Henrick Kniberg   Want to get involved?  This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.  Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com    This episode’s presenters are:  Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Lance is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away. Show edited by Rhett Gill.  

In this special episode, Brian describes the upcoming Scrum Gathering in Denver, including the subject of his talks on the daily scrum and leadership styles.  The Scrum Gathering is happening in Denver on June 6-8, so in this podcast episode Brian discusses the conference and shares a preview of his two talks: one on the daily scrum and one on leadership styles.  In “Daily Scrums Suck: How I Killed the Daily Scrum and Replaced it with Something Even Better,” Brian shares his advice for making the most out of those 15-minute meetings. For his second talk, “The Opposite of Leadership: The George Costanza School of Agile Leadership,” Brian designed an interactive workshop to encourage you to turn your idea of leadership on its head to perhaps reveal a much better way to lead.  Listen now to discover:  02:33 - Daily Scrums Suck - a teaser about Brian’s first session 03:45 - The George Costanza School of Agile Leadership - details about Brian’s 75-minute workshop 08:33 - Why go to conferences? The value is often in the connections as much as the content 14:19 - If you have a Scrum Alliance certification, one conference can help you earn SEUs you need to renew 15:03 - How conferences can help you chart your next career steps 18:29 - The Coaching Clinics available at the event 19:25 - The Open Space - anyone attending can pitch a topic to talk about and Brian shares his tips for getting the best from this opportunity 21:38 - Introverted? So is Brian, but here’s how he survives a conference environment 24:55 - Planning to attend and want to meet Brian? Don’t hold back!  Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  Join Brian Milner and Sherman Gomberg as they discuss the importance of the developer role within a Scrum team and why self-organizing teams are at the heart of agile methodology. References and resources mentioned in the show Global Scrum Gathering 2022 Brian’s Talk Descriptions George Costanza turns his life around by doing the opposite Want to get involved?  This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.  Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com  This episode’s presenter is:  Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

Join Mike Cohn and Brian Milner as they discuss the Scrum Master role: its distinctions from project management, Scrum Master responsibilities for team success, and advice for new Scrum Masters. In this episode, Brian Milner talks with Mike Cohn about the Scrum Master role from the inception of its title to the role it plays in agile today.  Mike Cohn has trained more than 30,000 Scrum Masters and shares his experience of the challenges he faced early on helping project managers to transition to effective Scrum Masters.  Brian and Mike discuss the distinction and overlap between traditional project management styles and the servant-leadership role of the Scrum Master. They also talk about how responsible a Scrum Master should be for the success of the project and the success of a team.  Finally, Brian and Mike share the advice they would give to Scrum Masters who want to be valuable to any team and organization—including those looking to get their first job in this role.  Listen now to discover:  02:14 - Why the Scrum Master title was created to help people succeed in this position  04:54 - Job role, title, or accountabilities? Is one more important for defining someone’s position in a Scrum team?  07:41 - The key differences between a project manager and Scrum Master 08:43 - How responsible should a Scrum Master be for the success of a project?  13:21 - Facilitator or leader? How not to fade into the background 17:46 - How to deal with people in power who make bad agile decisions  22:06 - Continuous improvement doesn’t mean you should play it safe 26:34 - How do you know when you’re ready to break the rules to be a successful Scrum Master? 27:06 - No experience and looking for your first job? What to do (and not do) to improve your resume Listen next time when we’ll be discussing…  The product owner role with guest co-host Lance Dacy. You’ll learn what it takes to be a great product owner as well as common misunderstandings people have about the role.  References and resources mentioned in the show Monty Python’s Dead Parrot sketch Kaizen approach for continuous improvement Lyssa Adkins Coaching Stances Want to get involved?  This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? Take a second to leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.  Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com  This episode’s presenters are:  Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Mike Cohn is co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, and founder of Mountain Goat Software. He’s a veteran of applying Scrum and agile principles and practices to help organizations build better products, and ship them on time. Show edited by Rhett Gill.

Join Mike Cohn and Brian Milner as they discuss succeeding with agile, including how to choose a framework, the best place to start, & when to break the rules. In this first episode of the Agile Mentors podcast, Brian Milner and Mike Cohn explain why it’s important to understand and sometimes break the rules if you want to succeed with an agile approach like Scrum.  While the Scrum Guide states that the rules are ‘immutable,’ clinging to the rulebook mindlessly only holds you back. Instead, you need to know which rules Scrum teams can flex (and when), and which agile principles should always be adhered to. Brian and Mike share their real-world experience of team members getting things right and wrong, and how you can improve your chances of making long-lasting change as you move to agile. Listen now to discover:  05:12 - Why people still confuse the terms agile and Scrum 9:01 - How moving to Scrum changed (and improved) Mike’s traditional management style  10:51 - Which rules are OK to break, and how to know when to break them 13:51 - The daily scrum has to be conducted left to right…doesn’t it? 17:38 - An agile culture or agile practices? Which do you adopt first for a successful agile transformation? 22:19 - What do people need to get right for an agile transition? 24:15 - Does continuous improvement mean cross-functional teams are worked to death? (And a fight breaks out on LinkedIn) 30:03 - Of all the methodologies and agile frameworks you can choose (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, extreme programming, etc) which one should you start with? Listen next time when we’ll be discussing… The history of the Scrum Master role, its connection to project management, and tips to succeed in this vital Scrum role.  References and resources mentioned in the show Agile Project Management with Scrum by Ken Schwaber Scrum Guide  The Princess Bride The Agile Manifesto  The Karate Kid Nameless Organizational Change: No-Hype, Low-Resistance Corporate Transformation by Glenn Allen-Meyer Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Dan Pink Spotify Engineering Culture Part 1 and Part 2 Want to get involved?  This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.  Enjoyed what you heard today? It would be great if you left a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.  Got an agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com This episode’s presenters are:  Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He’s passionate about making a difference in people’s day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.  Mike Cohn is co-founder of the Scrum Alliance, and founder of Mountain Goat Software. He’s a veteran of applying Scrum and agile principles and practices to help organizations build better products and ship them on time. Editing by Rhett Gill