Drastically different time zones do create a big challenge for Scrum. Scrum gains its effectiveness through synchronized and collaborative… — Drastically different time zones do create a big challenge for Scrum. Scrum gains its effectiveness through synchronized and collaborative planning and preparation; therefore, coordinated Daily Scrums, Sprint Planning, Sprint Reviews, and Retrospectives are important. So Scrum depends on teams working in unison, which usually requires overlapping daily work schedules. If…

There is no single DOD. It evolves with the product and the team’s capabilities. Some teams use DOD to reflect feature and function… — There is no single DOD. It evolves with the product and the team’s capabilities. Some teams use DOD to reflect feature and function completion. But Scrum incorporates development operations into the DOD, which makes for a more complete solution. The most incredibly beautiful aspect of software is that the product…

“What does “waterfalling the timebox” mean in Agile context? I have read at some places that “waterfalling the timebox” in an iteration… — “What does “waterfalling the timebox” mean in Agile context? I have read at some places that “waterfalling the timebox” in an iteration should be avoided. a) What does it mean? b) How to avoid “waterfalling” in the iteration? To avoid the lure of the waterfall, look for waterfall “smells” and…

If the goal is to bring the organization to greater agility, then the Agile Coach makes all the difference. They bring the ability to… — If the goal is to bring the organization to greater agility, then the Agile Coach makes all the difference. They bring the ability to teach and problem-solve based on Agile’s proven practices. Tony Amos An Agile Coach is an effective leader who focuses on strengthening an organization’s ability to…

There is not one particular thing, short of committing a felony, that will doom your career. — There is not one particular thing, short of committing a felony, that will doom your career. The one-two punch of minimal team preparation and insufficient organizational strategy are the biggest contributors to frustration, confusion, and organizational failures when it comes to Agile. Tony Amos Dooming your career? I don’t know…

Scrum Masters do not clear technical roadblocks — you have a technical team and architects for that. — Scrum Masters do not clear technical roadblocks — you have a technical team and architects for that. Consider the Scrum Master like the Coast Guard. …

Retrospectives are not bitching sessions. Or are they? — Retrospectives are not bitching sessions. Or are they? When dealing with ever-changing scope, due dates tied to features are nothing more than arbitrary guesses” Tony Amos You could benefit from some training and/or coaching before attempting to manage using an Agile process. Nothing in Agile makes a correlation between epics…

On Reddit, a user asked, “Why does Agile get so much hate?”. — On Reddit, a user asked, “Why does Agile get so much hate?”. The Answer may not be what you expect. “Agile organizations change their mindset by practicing trust in the people who do the work” Tony Amos Let’s start with the fundamental understanding that Agile is a mindset. …

The scrum master has a job to do, but what that job is can get confusing. I was recently asked the question, “am I being unreasonable in… — The scrum master has a job to do, but what that job is can get confusing. I was recently asked the question, “am I being unreasonable in the things I have been asking my scrum master to do (but are told not his role)” Is it unreasonable to ask my scrum master to: