Interaction maps are a useful way to visualise the key dependencies that affect the work of your team. Often people within the team are aware of some of the key dependencies but mapping them out into one big diagram really helps to identify where the key communications and …
Whatever methodology your team uses, a working agreement is a crucial component to set the expectations for what it means to be part of THIS team. I believe that every team, no matter if it has 2 or 10 people - should have one, and it should be adapted when you have new …
I’ve met many agile advocates that simply won’t accept a job that involves working with remote teams. Whether that comes from fear or lack of experience, I feel it’s important to assure these people that it ain’t all that scary. Whilst this post focusses on my favourite …
You would think that as an agile coach I’d feel confident at giving presentations. Well, I was confused when my colleague suggested I attend presentation training but decided to give it a shot.
Truth is, I’ve never had any formal presentation training before, …
I’ve met various peers in an agile coaching role and there seems to be no general consensus on what metrics should be used, and with whom they should be shared. I often notice a lot of confusion when it comes to this topic, so I’d like to suggest some metrics that I like to …
Being a newbie to an organisation can be daunting at the best of times. Having a short space of time to learn the quirks of multiple teams, each with their own development focus and flavour of “Scrumban”, to enable you to identify where your skills are best utilised can be …
Recently I had the difficult task of running a retrospective with a team I had little knowledge about. I’d never met the team members before and had no insight into what this team works on or what their skillset is.
A difficult challenge, but one that I was up for, made …
I’m a big fan of explaining things using simple words that even those who aren’t fluent in English will be able to understand.
On my agile journey I have learnt that whilst people may understand the differences in Scrum and Kanban, they’re not so sure when it comes to …
I’ve been asked this question by others in the agile community, who have done some agile training but still have no idea how to go about cancelling a sprint.
There are several reasons why you might be considering cancelling the sprint - it could be a change in scope; a …
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the whole “we want T-shaped people” speech that a lot of “Agile” companies, HR and management have latched onto. Woohoo for capability matrixes!
For those not in the know, here is a very quick overview:
These …
I like to use the analogy - you wouldn’t go into a supermarket and buy only products belonging to one brand (unless you find that brand offers all the products you need at the best value with the best expiry dates for your needs). The same applies for any methodology - why …
Retrospectives…that good ol’ Scrum ceremony that few people get right. I have observed other Scrum teams and Scrum Master’s in action - what is it with retros that people just don’t understand?
Perhaps it’s not really knowing what the outcomes of this ceremony should …