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Blog Post

Coaching Secret: Stop Being So "Helpful"

January 8, 2024
We all want to help. Unfortunately, acting on the desire to help is usually where many Scrum Masters, Coaches, and Managers can make a mistake. In this article, we explore 3 ways this desire to "help" goes wrong and offer tips on how to shift to an approach that is actually going to be more helpful in the long run.
Blog Post

Ghosts of Agile Past: The 3 Questions

January 8, 2024
In this video, Martin explores the necessity of moving beyond the traditional confines of Agile's routine practices. 🚀 Focused on delivering value and outcomes rather than just following processes, he discusses how teams can revitalise their daily scrums and retrospectives for better efficiency and productivity. 🎯
Blog Post

Crafting Effective Sprint Goals in Scrum

January 8, 2024
In Scrum, Sprint Goals play a crucial role in guiding the team's efforts and providing a clear direction for the Sprint. A Sprint Goal is a concise statement that defines the objective of the Sprint and aligns the team towards a common purpose. In this article, we will explore the importance of Sprint Goals in Scrum, provide tips on crafting good Sprint Goals, and present sample Sprint Goals for three case study Scrum teams.
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January 8, 2024
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Blog Post

How to Sell the Value of Product Owners to Organizations New at Scrum

January 5, 2024
Product Owners have a unique place on a Scrum Team but if their value is misunderstood you may not see the benefits. How do you advocate the value of a Product Owner to an organization that’s really new at using Scrum to increase business agility? In this video PST's, Robert Pieper, Greg Crown, and Jason Malmstadt address this question and a few others.
Blog Post

A Product Owner Needs Facilitation Skills

January 5, 2024
So much has been written about a Scrum Master needing to have facilitation skills. But what about a Product Owner? In this article, I’d like to make the case that a Product Owner having facilitation skills is as important as a Scrum Master having them.
Blog Post

Ghosts of Agile Past: Burndowns

January 5, 2024
In this video, Martin from NKDAgility unpacks the often misunderstood realm of Agile burndown charts. đŸ“‰đŸ€” He dives deep into why these popular tools might not be as effective as many believe, especially in a truly Agile environment. Join Martin as he explores the nuances and challenges of using burndown charts, offering insights into more adaptive and realistic approaches to project management in Agile.

A New Year's Resolutions Perspective for Scrum Teams

January 4, 2024
As we step into the year 2024, I extend my warmest wishes to all for a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead. It's a moment of new beginnings, and traditionally, a time for setting New Year's resolutions. Let's delve into how this concept resonates with Scrum Teams, examining its effectiveness and suggesting a different approach.
Blog Post

How Do We Actively Manage Items in the Workflow/Items in Progress in Kanban?

January 4, 2024
In most situations, blocked items are included in the work-in-progress limit, and only in edge case situations would you have a situation where you would exclude blocked items from work-in-progress (eg, we made all the phone calls, we shook all the trees, we’re thinking of canceling one work item and so we put traffic cones around it and we allow another item in.)
Blog Post

Ghosts of Agile Past: Story Points

January 4, 2024
In this video, Martin đŸŽ€ discusses the often-misunderstood concept of story points in Agile frameworks. He explores their origins, the challenges they pose, and suggests more effective alternatives. 🚀 Join us as we dive into this intriguing topic. đŸ€ż
Blog Post

Going Too Fast, Too Soon with Evidence-Based Management

January 3, 2024
An important thing to understand when getting started with EBM is that there is such a thing as going too fast and too soon. EBM can create a lighting bolt of transparency, which in turn, could cause irrational responses. We humans can be emotionally triggered when we find a situation is much different than it appears.
Blog Post

Ghosts of Agile Past: Certifications

January 3, 2024
In this video, Martin explores a contentious topic in the agile community – the real impact and value of agile certifications. đŸŽ“đŸ€” He delves into how these certifications affect professional development and learning, providing a nuanced view that balances criticism with understanding.
Blog Post

The Significance of Sprint Goals in Scrum: Benefits, Challenges, and Examples

January 2, 2024
In Scrum, Sprint Goals stand as pivotal guiding stars, directing teams toward success. A Sprint Goal encapsulates the essence of a Sprint – a short, time-bound period during which a team commits to achieving a specific objective. This blog explores the significance of Sprint Goals, shedding light on their importance, potential pitfalls of not having one, and offering real-world examples.
Blog Post

Good Intentions

January 2, 2024
Some well-intentioned practices sound reasonable, but a closer examination reveals potential pitfalls that can compromise the Agile manifesto principles or the Scrum guide's underlying Empiricism. By understanding the rationale behind these practices and exploring their drawbacks, teams can foster a more nuanced and practical approach to achieve true agility and continuous improvement.
Blog Post

How To Create Smaller Product Backlog Items

January 2, 2024
Mastering the art of breaking down large Product Backlog items (PBIs) into smaller, manageable units is a crucial competency for every Product Owner. In this article, we delve into several effective strategies for slicing PBIs, complete with illustrative examples to guide you through the process.
Blog Post

Empiricism and Complexity: The Heart of Scrum Explained

December 28, 2023
In this video, Martin discusses the essence of Scrum, focusing on empiricism and complexity. 🚀 He sheds light on why understanding these principles is vital for successful project management and team empowerment. 🌟 He also addresses the need for teams to choose their own methodologies and the importance of adapting Scrum to different situations.
Blog Post

Mastering Scrum: Navigating the Simple Yet Complex Agile Framework

December 27, 2023
🎬 In this video, Martin delves into the paradox of Scrum: easily grasped in theory but challenging in practice. đŸ€” He explores the nuances of mastering Scrum, drawing on sports analogies and discussing the impact of organizational culture on its implementation. 🚀 Discover insights into making Scrum work effectively within your team and organization. 💡
Blog Post

The Agile Journey: From Origins to Agile 2.0

December 25, 2023
In this video, Martin discusses the ever-evolving landscape of Agile, from its inception to the present day. 🌐💡 He delves into the challenges of implementing Agile, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the direction it's heading towards. Join us as we explore this dynamic, ever-changing methodology. 🚀📈
Blog Post

How do you articulate the value of a Scrum Master?

December 20, 2023
The Scrum Master might just be the most misunderstood accountability in Scrum. Organizations often need help understanding the value a Scrum Master brings, especially when the leaders are new to agile development. The question is how can we articulate the Scrum Master’s value? PST's Greg Crown, Jason Malmstadt, and Robert Pieper have some thoughts and analogies that might help you advocate for this crucial accountability.
Blog Post

Transforming Learning: The Power of Immersive Training

December 20, 2023
🚀 Dive into the future of Agile and Scrum training with our latest blog post! We explore the shift from traditional learning methods 📚 to immersive learning experiences 🌐. Discover how immersive training, with its real-world applications and outcome-based assignments, enhances understanding and retention 🧠. Learn about the limitations of conventional training and how immersive learning closes the feedback loop for more effective education 🔄
Blog Post

How Do you Work with a Scrum Team that isn’t Self-Managing Well Yet?

December 19, 2023
Scrum Teams are meant to be self-managing, meaning they decide who does what, when, and how. They work through problems together. They experiment and determine how to meet their goals. But what if the team you’re working with just isn’t there yet? How can you support a team that hasn’t figured out how self-management works yet, and help them along that path? Professional Scrum Trainers Greg Crown, Robb Pieper, and Jason Malmstadt share some guidance in this video.