The (mis)adventures of a Scrum Master
As a Scrum Master, one of the most important roles you can play within a Scrum Team is that of a conflict manager and resolver. Conflicts could arise within the Scrum Team, with stakeholders and with management. It is your job to help navigate and resolve these conflicts in a way that is effective and … Read more
Earlier I published an article about the Definition of Done (DoD), a tool that helps ensure product/feature completion to a high standard of quality. It includes specific, measurable, and achievable criteria based on needs and project goals. One of the key principles of Scrum is to “get things done.” There are several reasons why it … Read more
In an earlier post, I explored the possibilities of adding elements of gamification in Scrum. Gamification in Scrum could increase engagement, motivation and collaboration. Incorporating game elements and mechanics can foster a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation. It can also impact Scrum Values like commitment, courage, focus, openness and respect by using game design … Read more
In Scrum, a Definition of Done (DoD) is a tool that helps to ensure that a product or feature is completed to a high standard of quality. A DoD is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, and it is used to ensure that all stakeholders, including Developers, Product Owners … Read more
Lately I have been looking for ways to strengthen my ‘Scrum toolbox’, by connecting my love for Scrum to an old long-lost love of mine: gamification. In short: Gamification is the process of incorporating game elements and mechanics into non-game contexts to increase engagement and motivation. So, is gamification in Scrum possible? I think that … Read more
Since I was introduced to the Agile Maturity Model in the Professional Agile Leadership course, I have given this model a lot of thought. In Geoff Watts’ ‘Scrum Mastery’, I found a very amusing quote comparing the role of the Scrum Master to that of Nanny McPhee from the 2005 movie of the same name. … Read more
A few weeks ago, while preparing for my PSM-III exam, I encountered an article (in Dutch) where someone spoke of a useful tool to make connections between the different parts and aspects of Scrum. They proposed a spreadsheet with the various Scrum Events, Artifacts, Roles and Values. I have decided to make my own version … Read more
This article is a review of “SCRUM – A Smart Travel Companion” by Gunther Verheyen. As I take along quite some books to be read on my daily commute, one little book often gets stuck behind other books, my work laptop and lunchbox in my backpack. And as I move big things from my backpack, … Read more
Today I scheduled another one of my three-weekly company talks on Scrum. This time I prepared a presentation for my peers on the topic of the benefit of using (great) Sprint Goals. I have rewritten the structure and contents for publication on this blog. In brief: a Sprint Goal is the single objective that defines … Read more
This article is a review of “Mastering Professional Scrum” by Stephanie Ockerman & Simon Reindl. In a variety of Scrum literature, I encountered the ‘Shu-Ha-Ri’ concept, which describes the stages of learning to mastery. Originating from Japanese Aikido, it can be roughly translated to “follow the rule, break the rule and transcend the rule”. In … Read more
As we are in the final days of 2022, I can’t help looking back to this eventful year. It’s the year that I made great leaps and bounds as a Scrum Master and Agile professional. I started this blog in April this year, documenting my journey of growth; I continued on teaching my peers essential … Read more
This article is a review of “Scrum Mastery” by Geoff Watts. Do you know that feeling, when reading professional literature, that you are overcome with a feeling of happiness? When you’re reading a book, and think “God, I love my job“? That is basically what this book did for me. It was a reaffirmation for … Read more
A few months ago I enrolled for a Professional Agile Leadership (PAL-E) course. This was during the time when I decided to persue my further career at a different employer. The premise of this course has always intrigued me. But it seems taking this course could not be at a better time… Recently I have … Read more
The last half year I was preoccupied with a very important question: what is next? I have been putting a lot of work in planning my professional and private life. Recently I made the step towards a full-time appointment as a Scrum Master, shedding my skin as a digital project manager for good. But where … Read more
So today marks the last day of work at the digital agency that has been my employer for the last three years. I have found a new challenge as a full-time Scrum Master at an international software company, with multiple Scrum Teams in the Netherlands, Portugal and Australia. That’s right, I’m stepping out of the … Read more