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Blog Post

Rethinking the Empirical Approach

June 15, 2025
Agile isn’t one-size-fits-all. **Plan–Do–Inspect–Adapt** (PDIA) is powerful for delivery work, but when the goal is to explore strategy, test hypotheses, or navigate ambiguity, you need a different mindset—**Frame–Learn–Assess–Improve** (FLAI). Here’s why a small shift in language can reshape the way we lead.
Blog Post

Scrum as a Catalyst for Product Evolution

May 19, 2025
This article challenges the conventional view of Scrum as merely a delivery framework and reframes it as a powerful engine for product innovation and evolution. While many teams use Scrum to deliver work more predictably, the real opportunity lies in using it to discover what truly adds value for customers. This blog presents four practical strategies to make Scrum more innovation-focused: 1. Treat releases as experiments to validate assumptions. 2. Release based on value, not just Sprint boundaries. 3. Embrace strategic procrastination to keep backlog items flexible. 4. Refine frequently in small efforts to reduce rework and support adaptability. The conclusion emphasizes that Scrum, when used thoughtfully, enables teams not just to ship features, but to learn, adapt, and deliver meaningful outcomes in dynamic markets.
Blog Post

Saying “No” Isn’t So Bad

November 11, 2024
We are often told that getting to “yes” when asking a question is a powerful negotiation technique. That much is true but asking questions that lead to “no” can really tease out conversations and help to understand why a certain position is held by someone.
Blog Post

Definition Of Done (DOD) Explanation and Example

January 9, 2024
During this article, we’ll look at some basics about the Definition of Done (DoD). We’ll explore misunderstandings such as the application of the DoD, ways to use a fully achievable DoD and avoid creating a waterfall approach, when to inspect and adapt the DoD, and an example starting point for your DoD.
Blog Post

Retrospectives: Making Action Items that are cats

May 19, 2022
One of the primary purposes of a retrospective is to create action items, but it’s not uncommon to come up with action items that aren’t actionable.  They’re aspirational.  This blog gives you some ways to ensure your retrospectives have actionable items.
Blog Post

Backlog Refinement Techniques – Semantic Analysis

June 3, 2021
To meet schedules, deliver valuable products, and exceed your stakeholder’s expectations, you need the ability to flex scope and offer an actual minimum marketable product.  You need to know how to break down your work to be forced by technology or business processes to deliver anything more than the minimum. 
Blog Post

Do you know any coaching patterns?

January 2, 2018
Do you ever influence or coach people?  How?  Do you use a gut feel approach or do you have coaching patterns that you use?  I have several coaching patterns that I step through when trying to influ