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It's important that team members work together with the Product Owner to groom good stories which have clear acceptance criteria and estimated as a team through conversations.

If strong grooming of meaningful work is missing, then the team will struggle to complete committed but unclear stories and will push quite a few of those to the next Sprint OR exchange them with other stories in the backlog half way through the Sprint, working in this manner makes Scrum weak and ineffective.

Care should therefore be taken to invest time in creating good user stories that are not only valuable and meaningful but clear as well.

To gain Knowledge one needs to make the right effort and to grow in Wisdom needs proper nurturing.

Just gathering information does not make one wise but is the first step in learning. This happens through reading, listening and hearing, seeing and sensing.

This information then needs to be thought about, contemplated and experimented with (in a safe manner).

With time it starts to make more sense.

Repeat work on the same information or knowledge to become more realized is not a waste of time.

More often than not, l’ve noticed that going through an interesting point several times, helps me realize the deeper meaning behind what I read or heard.

Only yesterday a friend told me: “Instead of reading a 100 books, read the same book a hundred times! - There is wisdom in this thought!

With the right effort in place, with due time, one becomes wiser with the specific knowledge or information taking deeper roots in the heart.

However, one should not stop here. The next step would be to share that knowledge to help others benefit from it.

Remember, when you share knowledge to help others become wise, you will only become wiser.

Knowledge is possible when information is gathered Wisdom is gained when information/knowledge is contemplated.

Rich ideas come out when knowledge and wisdom is shared.

There's no alternative to hard work and merely getting the Scrum "Master" Certification, doesn't make one a "Master" But, good Scrum Masters do gradually move on the journey towards becoming "Masters" of Scrum.
They shine as pillars of "Scrum" and "Agile"

They are true Servant Leaders and - Coach, Guide, Mentor their teams and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
Their work and presence is acknowledged by all and they challenge the status quo with kindness and firmness.

They inspire others to adopt the mindset of inspection, adaptation and transparency.

It comes with passion and consistent hard work and is worth it!

Scrum prescribes only 3 roles - Scrum Master, Product Owner and Development Team while the Project Manager role comes from the traditional world.

However in many instances, the organizational needs and culture, demand and support the Project Manager role in Agile and Scrum environments and Agile should be accommodating this need.

After all, the core principles of agile include adaptability and customer satisfaction.

Although these roles appear conflicting, they need to align on the common (higher) vision of helping their team(s) succeed.

This asks for them to work closely by having constant touch points as often as possible to divide and conquer the impediments blocking their teams and respond to any important stakeholder/leadership expectations or requests.

In the case of a Scrum team with only 3 roles, the team members self organize to step up and help the Scrum Master attend some of the meetings and touch base to synchronize.

Such teams are easy to create but rare as it needs discipline and strong servant leadership to inculcate a spirit of "shared responsibility and group accountability"

Successful Scrum Masters become natural Servant Leaders

The Servant Leadership aspect helps them connect deeply with team members and stakeholders and build trust with all

How?

Because, only when people feel safe, can they let go of fear and only when people let go of fear, can trust be built, and unless you build trust with people, you cannot go far with them!

That's why Servant Leadership is naturally visible in Strong and successful Scrum Masters

Stronger the Scrum Master role means more prominent is the Servant Leadership!

To quote Simon Sinek-

"Great leaders are great servants. They have a genuine concern for the people they lead and they're always looking for ways to make their people better."

Scrum Teams do well when they are small and stable or long lived
This is for a number of reasons
Team members bond well over time and as a team move through forming, storming, norming and performing.

More trust is visible as it takes time to open up and share in the pains and joys of each other which results in swarming to tackle tough problems.

So also the estimations become more accurate over time as the team members consistently converse and understand each other's work.

However, if the culture is disruptive of teams - meaning it's in the culture to consistently change team configurations for petty reasons, it impacts how team works as a unit.

It unsettles the team - and impacts - how it estimates, works together and it's ability to complete committed work routinely.

This impacts the velocity
It's sad but true that such a culture is hardly able to stand a Scrum Team that has consistent velocity/throughout and high predictability.

Subtle but definitely true!

The Key to Product Ownership: Understanding People's Needs

Being a great Product Owner isn't just about managing a project—it's about understanding what people want. Whether it's stakeholders, customers, or your team, the secret is knowing their needs and making sure they're met.

Stakeholders have their goals, customers have their preferences, and the team has their capabilities. A top-notch Product Owner bridges these perspectives by empathizing, listening, and aligning efforts towards a common goal.

In short, successful product ownership boils down to understanding people and ensuring their needs are addressed. That's the key to building not just a product, but a success story.

Sprint Reviews often face low attendance from stakeholders due to various reasons. While some challenges like technical language require practice, an easily achievable improvement is aligning Sprint cadence to run from Wednesday to Tuesday or Thursday to Wednesday. This avoids scheduling reviews on busy Mondays or Fridays, increasing the likelihood of senior leaders' and stakeholders' availability.

Only by consistently estimating together, engaging in conversations and being together for a period of time, a Scrum team starts to become better at estimates.

And, it not only becomes better at estimating, but also better in :

��- Understanding each other's work

��- Increasingly cross functional

It starts to swarm together to meet its Sprint commitments
Team members begin to understand importance of teamwork and commitments.

This makes the team be careful about committing to only what it can deliver and then go all out to meet most of its commitments.

This is an organic way for a team to move from good to great as it forms / storms / norms and performs.

It calls for strong servant leadership and deeper understanding of Agile and agility.

It is then people, leaders and organizations see why Agile can be so effective.

Delight your customers and users by creating products that they dream about.

For this you will need to understand how they think and what would they do if they had their dream product in their hands.

What steps would they take and challenges they might encounter and what would you do to help them?

Thinking about capturing market share by providing your customers and users with features and ideas to beat the competing offers?

Then, please stop writing documents and handing them to your developers.

Instead, create visual alignment, have conversations, build a shared understanding with your engineers,
product owners and designers!!!

It will help you move faster towards your desired outcomes and help delight your customers.

A key concept many miss out on is one that Ken Schwaber explained years ago.

The Scrum Master role played well brings about a balance or completion to the Scrum Team structure in that each of the 3 primary roles (SM, PO and the Developers) hold a delicate tension with one another to keep a robust and healthy structure (relationship)

This is analogous to a 3 legged stool or a tripod stand with all its legs intact. Imagine what will happen to the stool or the tripod stand when:

One leg is short (analogous to the SM role being played ineffectively) OR

One leg goes missing (analogous to the SM role not visible) OR

Two legs sticking closer to each other (analogous to the
SM role played by the PO or a developer)

In the first case, the table will be imbalance and unstable;

In the second case, the table might tip over;

In the third case, the table will be less effective

That is exactly the state of many Scrum teams I have observed and on closer look, it does have to do with how the Scrum Master role has been set up!

It is important to remember that Scrum Master role is actually a full time dedicated role.

If this role is played by the right person, is setup well and empowered the right way, brings about a balance in the Scrum Team and helps you succeed with Agile.

Good leaders treat their employees as partners and make effort to understand their weaknesses and strengths Leaders help match the passion, skills and strengths of their employees to help them achieve success.

They also help their employees overcome weaknesses or areas of lag by understanding their challenges and coaching, mentoring and encouraging them to learn, grow and persevere
In all these ways good leaders find out avenues for growth of their people.

This needs patience and a desire to help others grow, aligning those values with the vision of the organization.

The above qualities should not be confused with pacifying employees. Sometimes a difficult or insincere employee may have to be let go but a good leader does not act with anger or frustration; but rather with compassion, knowing very well that this might be crucial to help the employee to learn and grow from the experience.

A good leader is one who has an attitude of serving and looks at the long term well being of his/her employees when making decisions!

PassionMatching

Sprint Reviews often face low attendance from stakeholders due to various reasons. While some challenges like technical language require practice, an easily achievable improvement is aligning Sprint cadence to run from Wednesday to Tuesday or Thursday to Wednesday. This avoids scheduling reviews on busy Mondays or Fridays, increasing the likelihood of senior leaders' and stakeholders' availability.

OptimizeSprintReviews

Let's talk about an Agile principle that's all about making our lives easier: "The art of maximizing the amount of work not done is essential.

Yes, you heard it right. Sometimes, doing LESS can actually lead to MORE success
How many times have you found yourself buried under a mountain of stories, only to realize that some of them were unnecessary or low-priority?

Well, it's time to break free from that cycle! Let's embrace the power of smart decision-making and focus on what truly matters.

Ask yourself: What tasks can you eliminate, delegate, or postpone without compromising the overall outcome? How can you free up time and energy for the high-impact work that drives real results?

Remember, it's not about being busy; it's about being effective!
So, let's challenge the status quo and prioritize like champions.

Share your thoughts in the comments below:
How do you ensure you're maximizing the value of your time and efforts?

Let's master the art of maximizing the amount of work NOT done and unlock new levels of productivity and success!

Focus on the Sprint goal during daily Standups! Standups are like mini team huddles, and the magical ingredient for effectiveness is the Sprint Goal — the North Star guiding conversations, collaboration, and strategy.

Treat the Sprint Goal like a superhero's mission, rallying the team's superpowers for remarkable results. Ensure every Standup revolves around the Sprint Goal to supercharge productivity and success.

Embrace the power of the Sprint Goal for collaborative greatness!

Unleash the Power of "Done"!
Imagine you're embarking on a thrilling adventure, and the Definition of Done is your trusty map guiding you to the treasure. But here's the twist: the map not only shows you the path, but it also incorporates the effort needed to reach your destination!

Estimates that include the Definition of Done ensure that you're not just planning for the journey, but have uncovered any assumptions and considered major steps required to complete the product backlog item. It's like packing all the necessary tools and supplies to conquer any obstacle along the way.

Now, let me ask you a question: Have you ever been on a quest where you underestimated the challenges? Maybe you forgot to bring your trusty sword or overlooked an important clue? What was that like? How did it go? Were you able to complete your quest well within a reasonable time?

The same can happen in our Agile projects if we don't include the Definition of Done in our estimates.

By incorporating the effort needed to satisfy the Definition of Done, you ensure that your team can confidently meet their commitments and deliver a fully complete functionality at the end of the Sprint. It's like having all the right tools and skills to overcome any challenge and emerge victorious!

So, my fellow Scrum Masters and Agile adventurers, let's embrace the power of "Done"! Let's estimate wisely, plan meticulously, and embark on journeys that lead to remarkable achievements and satisfied customers.

Have you ever wondered what sets the most successful people apart? It's their remarkable ability to turn setbacks into opportunities. Instead of letting failure defeat them, they use it as a springboard to propel themselves forward.

When faced with failure, they don't let it defeat them; instead, they use it as a launchpad to propel themselves to new heights.

Every setback we encounter is a chance for growth and learning. It's like a stepping stone that leads us closer to our goals.

So, the next time you face a challenge, pause and ask yourself: How can I turn this setback into an opportunity?

What valuable lessons can I extract from this experience?
Remember, failure is not the end; it's just a detour on the road to success. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it fuel your determination.

Let's cultivate that resilient spirit and transform setbacks into stepping stones!

Share in the comments below: What's a setback you've encountered that ultimately led to a rewarding opportunity?

Let's inspire each other with stories of triumph!

Change can be quite the adventure, don't you think? It's like navigating through a stormy sea, filled with ups and downs, unexpected twists, and exciting opportunities.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to ride the waves of change like a seasoned sailor? Are you someone who takes charge, actively seeks feedback, and thrives on adapting to new challenges? Or do you prefer to dip your toes cautiously, testing the waters before diving in?

Effective change management requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. It's about being proactive, seeking feedback, and constantly adjusting our sails to navigate uncharted territories.

I want to conclude by emphasizing us all to be proactive in seeking feedback, open to new perspectives, and adaptable in the face of ever-changing tides. This way, we can navigate through the stormy waters of change and emerge stronger than ever.

Remember, change management is not a one-time event, but an ongoing journey. Let's embrace the challenges, learn from our experiences, and steer our way towards success.

Friends,
Let's dive into a common scenario we often encounter: leaders who may not fully grasp the profound Agile Values and Principles.
Picture this: they're busy tracking team velocities, comparing them like contestants in a never-ending race.

But here's the twist - such practices can
Inadvertently create environments where teams feel unsafe, mistrustful, and fearful.
Now, let's hit the brakes and ponder for a moment.
What if leaders shifted their focus and embraced a different paradigm? Imagine if they took on the role of a gardener, nurturing their teams' growth and providing them with the right conditions to blossom.

Instead of obsessing over velocities, what if leaders cultivated an environment where curiosity thrives, mistake are embraced as learning opportunities, and collaboration flourishes? " Imagine the aha moments waiting to be discovered when teams feel safe to experiment, innovate, and challenge the status quo.

Let's shake things up and create a workplace where trust is the foundation, servant leadership is the norm, and teams can spread their wings and soar to new heights.

Together, we can champion the cause of Agile values, support our Scrum Masters, foster a culture of continuous learning, and embrace the principles of Agilonomics. It's time to spark that aha moment and pave the way for a more vibrant, engaging, and Agile future!

Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below. Let's cultivate an environment where growth and collaboration are nurtured every step of the way.

Are you tired of daily standups that feel more like "stand-lates"?
Well, I've got some insights for you!

Common scenario with Scrum Teams: you gather your team, ready to kick off the day with a productive standup meeting. But wait... where's Bob? He's running habitually late, missing out on important updates and valuable collaboration.

Now, let's take a moment to reflect. How often does this happen in your daily standups?
Are delayed starts becoming the norm, causing frustration and hindering team efficiency?

Once standups starting late becomes a habit for the team, a dangerous pattern emerges. The team loses its
rhythm, momentum dwindles, and communication suffers. It's like trying to dance with one foot out of sync!

Starting daily standups on time is not just a matter of punctuality. It's a critical factor in ensuring their effectiveness! When everyone is present and engaged from the beginning, you set the tone for a productive day ahead. Collaboration flows, blockers are addressed promptly, and the team's rhythm hits a sweet spot!

ScrumMasters and Agile coaches must champion the cause of punctuality and unleash the true power of daily standups! Let's lead by example and emphasize the importance of starting on time. After all, a well-executed standup sets the stage for a day filled with progress, innovation, and collective success!

Share your strategies, tips, or funny anecdotes in the comments below. How do you ensure timely standups in your teams? Let's learn from each other and fuel the agile revolution!

Imagine you're an author writing a new book.

The chapters you plan to write first are detailed, every plot point and character development meticulously planned out. These are your higher priority items. But, the chapters that come later? They're more of a sketch - an outline of what's to come. These are your lower priority items.

Why do we do this? In the agile world, change is as predictable as a plot twist in a mystery novel. We focus our creative energy on the chapters (tasks) we're writing (working on) first. The later chapters (lower priority tasks) remain an outline so that if the plot (our project direction) changes, we haven't wasted effort detailing a chapter that no longer fits our story.
But remember, those outline chapters are not insignificant.

Like a story's climax that's yet to be written, these lower priority items are waiting for their time in the spotlight. When their turn comes, they too will be transformed into detailed, action-ready tasks, just like our opening chapters.

So, the next time you look at your product backlog, remember you're the author of your project's story. It's not just about detailing every chapter, but knowing which ones to bring to life first.

Successful people don't have a secret to avoiding failure; they see it as a part of the journey to success. What if failing wasn't the end but a way to grow, learn, and be more creative?

Think about it: the really successful folks don't see failure as saying something bad about them. Instead, they learn from it on their way to greatness.

So, how do you see failure? Are you scared of making mistakes, or do you see them as chances to learn? It's time to switch to a growth mindset!

Failure isn't the end; it's a necessary break on the road to success. Every mistake is a chance to get better, wiser, and move closer to your goals. Embrace failure, learn from it, and let it push you forward!

As Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." ScrumMasters, leaders, and coaches, let's see failure as a powerful force on our journey to success! Share your stories of turning failure into triumph below. Let's inspire each other to embrace failure, learn boldly, and become forces of growth and innovation!

Embracing Change: The Agile Way!

"Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become." - Reinhold Niebuhr

As leaders, practitioners, and project managers, we have a crucial role to play in the thrilling movie of change management.

Let's not shy away from the spotlight; instead, let's take center stage and orchestrate the symphony of transformation.

* Remember, change is not just an event; it's a continuous journey of growth and improvement. Every twist and turn in our Agile adventures brings us closer to excellence.

* The waves of change may seem daunting at first, but as experienced sailors of the Agile ship, we know how to navigate the stormy waters.

Embracing change is not just a responsibility; it's a superpower that propels us towards success.

So, let's rewrite the script of change management and turn every challenge into an opportunity.

Together, we can create a blockbuster of innovation and resilience!

Unlocking the Velocity Vault: Discovering
Agile's Magic!

Ever wondered how Agile teams achieve stable velocity and high predictability? Let's dive into the captivating world of Agile where we unravel the secrets behind their success.

In the realm of Agile, teams work their magic to establish a stable velocity range. It might take some time as they navigate through different phases of forming, storming, norming, and performing. But fear not, once they find their sweet spot, high performance becomes second nature!

Imagine this: a crew of dedicated Agile enthusiasts, collaborating, learning, and growing together. With each sprint, they fine-tune their process, inching closer to the realm of predictability and triumph.

But the journey doesn't end there! Agile is an ever-evolving adventure, and there's always room for new explorers. So, are you ready to be part of this dynamic journey?

Gather your team, buckle up, and let's explore the incredible potential of Agile together!

Lead by example, ignite passion, and inspire greatness in your team. Be the leader who fosters trust, drives performance, and creates an environment where everyone thrives.

.

Traditional project management traps you with a rigid triangle, sacrificing quality. Agile flips the script, prioritizing adaptable requirements, cost, and time. Break free from limitations and embrace Agile's flexibility and quality.

Are you ready to turn the triangle upside down?

Embrace change: it's the essence of growth. As leaders, take the spotlight in the journey of transformation. Change is ongoing, and Agile helps us navigate it.

Embracing change is our superpower for success. Let's rewrite the script, turning challenges into opportunities, creating innovation and resilience.