Hello, my name is Bas van Haren-Suarez, and I’d like to show you the world of Scrum through my eyes.
I began my career as a Scrum Master at a web development agency in 2019, after transitioning from a seasoned, waterfall-orientated digital project manager with experience in fields such as advertising and game development. Scrum provided a completely different perspective on digital projects. I led several Scrum teams and navigated a variety of projects. The COVID-19 pandemic propelled me into the digital realm, where I played a critical role in re(de)fining Scrum at the agency. In later employment, I have evolved into an Agile Coach, empowering teams and organisations to adopt and sustain Agile practices.
My interest in Scrum has grown exponentially. I read articles and literature fervently. Over time, I began to condense my insights into presentations for my peers, reigniting my enthusiasm for subject-matter engagement. It dawned on me that my experiences were too valuable not to share, so I started this blog to serve as a platform for knowledge exchange.
My goal here is not to prescribe ‘best practices’ but rather to present a variety of tools and perspectives. I want to empower you, the reader, to evaluate and adapt these concepts to your specific professional landscape. My approach is merely one option; it is not the sole path to success.
I hope to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with eager professionals, as well as contribute to the development of the next generation of agile professionals. This blog is a step toward that goal, contributing in a small but meaningful way.
More about me
I live in The Hague, the city of peace and justice, with my spouse and two black cats. I am an avid gamer, a foodie, and someone who simply appreciates life’s pleasures. Currently, I work as an Agile Coach for a global software development company. If you wish to delve deeper into my professional life, feel free to explore my personal website or LinkedIn profile.
So why ‘kingmaker’?
The term ‘kingmaker’ refers to someone who plays a key role in securing a position of power for others. Far from the dark, devious characters of historical fiction or popular television shows such as Game of Thrones, I see myself as a facilitator and enabler. I strive to embody servant leadership, focusing on elevating others rather than seeking the spotlight. Thus, ‘kingmaker’ seemed a fitting moniker (and also demonstrates my penchant for drama).
Certificates
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Master I
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Master II
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Product Owner I
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Product Owner II
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Facilitation Skills
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management Skills
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum Developer I
- Scrum.org – Professional Agile Leadership I
- Scrum.org – Professional Agile Leadership – Evidence-based Management
- Scrum.org – Scaled Professional Scrum
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum with Kanban I
- Scrum.org – Professional Scrum with User Experience I
- Scrum.org – Professional Product Discovery and Validation
- International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) Certified Professional – Agile Certified Coaching
- International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) Certified Professional – Agile Team Facilitation
- International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) Certified Professional – Enterprise Agile Coaching