Exploring the Human edge in Agile
Three weeks ago I attempted my first try at the Professional Scrum Master III (PSM III) assessment. Today I got the results back, and I sadly did not pass. I got a score of 68.8%, where 85% was required to pass. Although I am a bit disappointed, I am actually very happy that I undertook … Read more
This article is a review of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable” by Patrick Lencioni. Patrick Lencioni’s leadership book “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” describes five main dysfunctions that prohibit teams from reaching their full potential. According to Lencioni, these dysfunctions are interrelated, with each one building on the one … Read more
The Daily Scrum is an important Scrum event. It is a daily meeting in which the Developers discuss their progress, identify any roadblocks and plan for the next 24 hours. The Scrum Master is critical in facilitating this meeting and ensuring that it runs smoothly and efficiently. Creating an environment conducive to open and honest … Read more
In November 2022, I started working for an international software company with offices and remote Scrum Teams across different timezones. We’re talking about two different timezones in Europe and one on the other side of the world – in Australia. Crikey! There was even a short situation that members within one of the Scrum Teams … Read more
This article is a review of “Fixing Your Scrum” by Ryan Ripley and Todd Miller. The book “Fixing Your Scrum” by Ryan Ripley and Todd Miller aims to help Scrum practitioners improve their Scrum practices and overcome common challenges. It is a well-written and well-thought-out guidebook for solving ‘real-world’ Scrum problems and improving team performance. … Read more
A Definition of Ready (DoR) is a useful tool for ensuring that PBIs are prepared for development. A DoR is a shared understanding of what it means for a PBI to be ready, and it is used during Product Backlog Refinements to ensure that PBIs in the Product Backlog are well-understood, refined, and ready for … Read more
I’ve been thinking lately about whether it’s a good idea to write about diversity. It is a subject near and dear to my heart, but when I see how it is discussed, I am always afraid to speak out on it. If there is a debate about this topic, it is mostly the tone that … Read more
The Product Backlog Refinement is an important (but unofficial) Scrum event that helps to ensure that the Product Backlog is well-maintained and organized, and that the most important PBIs are ready for development. The Scrum Master facilitates these refinements by providing guidance and support to the Scrum Team and assisting in the smooth operation of … Read more
Timeboxing is an important aspect of Scrum, and it entails allocating a specific amount of time for each Scrum event, such as Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective. The Scrum Team is able to stay focused and on track by setting a time limit, ensuring that each event is efficient and productive. … Read more
One of the most important roles a Scrum Master can play within a Scrum Team is that of a conflict manager and resolver. Conflicts may arise among members of the Scrum Team, stakeholders, and management. It is your responsibility to assist in the navigation and resolution of these conflicts in a way that is effective … Read more
Earlier I published an article about the Definition of Done (DoD), a tool that assists in ensuring product/feature completion to a high standard of quality. It includes specific, measurable, and attainable criteria based on project needs and goals. One of the guiding principles of Scrum is “getting things done.” There are several reasons why it … Read more
In an earlier post, I discussed the possibility of incorporating gamification elements into Scrum. Gamification in Scrum has the potential to increase engagement, motivation, and collaboration. Incorporating game mechanics and elements can help to foster a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation. By utilizing game design elements such as point systems, leaderboards, challenges, competitions, clear … Read more
A Definition of Done (DoD) is a tool that assists in ensuring 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 completed, and it is used to ensure that all stakeholders, including Developers, Product Owners, and managers, … Read more
Recently, I’ve been looking for ways to beef up my ‘Scrum toolbox,’ by combining my love of Scrum with an old long-lost love of mine: gamification. Gamification, in a nutshell, is the process of incorporating game elements and mechanics into non-game contexts in order to increase engagement and motivation. So, is it possible to incorporate … 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