Blog about team health and everything Agile

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...

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 -...

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...

Whether you're looking to make a complete Agile transformation or simply want to introduce Agile gradually, the fundamental unit remains the same: the team. Different organizations may have different approaches to adopting Agile - some might opt for a sweeping, all-at-once transition, while...

When running workshops or trainings, especially with new teams, it's a great idea to spend a few minutes breaking the ice and helping participants feel at ease. A good icebreaker should be short (10 minutes or less), help connect people, be fun, and easy to execute. It's essential to avoid...

Have you ever come across the term "Definition of Done" in your Agile journey? Many Agile teams encounter this concept, but not all of them adopt it. There could be several reasons for this: not fully grasping its purpose, confusing it with Acceptance Criteria, or simply not having enough time to...

First, let's clarify what Sprint Zero is. For those unfamiliar with the term, Sprint Zero refers to an initial sprint undertaken by a newly-formed team to create the foundational artifacts and kick off their work. A typical Sprint Zero might follow this sequence:

Day 1 - Team kick-off,...