Blog about team health and everything Agile

Agile at scale is a topic I’m truly passionate about, and you've probably noticed it's something I chew over a lot on this blog. To me, scaling Agile is more than just picking an Agile framework and running with it. It's about reshaping an entire organization from the top down and bottom...

In Agile, we always place the customer at the heart of everything we do. The golden rule? If a product addresses real customer needs, it's likely to be a hit in the market. No doubt, a strong marketing and sales team is important, but even they can't turn a mediocre product into a bestseller.

So,...

In previous posts, I’ve dissected why time-based estimation falls short ( 6 reasons why time-based estimation does not work), and championed the use of story points as a superior tool for estimation (Unpacking Story Points: 5 Reasons to Use them Today), guiding you on how to initiate their...

In a previous post (link), I shared some red flags to watch out for when identifying an Agile coach. Now, let’s flip the script and focus on how to recognize a good one, whether you're considering hiring a full-time employee or a contractor for this role.

This article reflects my subjective...

User stories are one of the most well-known tools in Agile. They act as fundamental building blocks, guiding the development process towards creating value for users and customers. Formatting work items as "As a <user> I want <to achieve a goal> so that I can <have value>" seems...

Prioritization is a crucial skill for anyone on an Agile team, not just for Product Owners and Agile leaders. We often discuss its importance, but truly understanding and effectively applying prioritization techniques is a different matter. In this piece, I’ll introduce four tried-and-true...

When you hear "Agile", do you think of teams buzzing with energy, colorful sticky notes, and morning huddles? While that's a part of the picture, there's a much bigger canvas. Dive deeper into Agile, and you'll realize it's not just about how teams work together but how it reshapes entire...

In the ever-evolving world of Agile, there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Agile, while originally created for software development, has now branched out to encompass various sectors and disciplines. Each team, depending on their specific needs, will adopt their unique blend of Agile tools...

As an enterprise Agile coach, I've seen many organizations embrace Agile for a variety of reasons. The promise of increased customer-centricity, the ability to iterate quickly, heightened responsiveness to customer feedback and market changes, better goal setting, and an overall stronger sense of...

Have you ever heard of Agile pilots? As an enterprise Agile coach, I believe that Agile pilots are one of the most effective ways to jump-start an Agile transformation within an organization. What are Agile pilots, you might ask? They involve setting up one or several fully Agile teams -...

Today, we're going to explore an unusual yet captivating topic: how to benefit from Agile best practices outside of team work. As an Agile coach, a common question I encounter from students in my Agile basics course is about the applicability of Agile beyond the professional realm. Can Agile...

In the fast-paced world of Agile organizations, setting goals is a crucial aspect of driving success. Whether you're involved in team planning sessions, departmental objectives, or shaping the organization's vision, it's important to understand the key factors that contribute to effective goal...