It is common in the early stages of Scrum implementation for there to be misunderstandings about what User Stories are for and what makes them useful. A ScrumMaster’s task is to be able to help the Team and Product Owner when they are faced with ineffective User Stories as they go into Sprint Planning. Dramatis […]
Notes from a Tool User
Scrum by Example – Scrum Anti-Patterns & Unplanned Work Disrupting the Sprint
The Team is in the middle of a Sprint, but the Product Owner has discovered unplanned work and interrupts their flow mid-Sprint to deal with it because it’s now “high-priority.” How should a ScrumMaster deal with this or similar Scrum Anti-Patterns? An anti-pattern is a common response to a recurring problem that is usually ineffective […]
The Role of Agile Managers: Why Job Titles Are Dangerous
Managers transitioning from waterfall to Agile will need to renegotiate their relationship with their teams if they are to succeed. A manager cannot simply become an Agile Manager – a big part of a transition requires a rethinking of how job titles are assigned and the leadership responsibility that comes with them. I was recently […]
How to Be an Effective Manager in Scrum
You’re a manager. You recently helped implement Scrum in your organization. You have received praise for this, because quality of work is now steadily improving and customers are delighted by the steady stream of product improvements. Your Scrum teams are now self-organizing. Things are flowing so smoothly now, the team has taken on tasks that […]
Scrum by Example – Stories for the Working ScrumMaster
What does it take to be a great ScrumMaster? When I was in my early years as a Scrum Trainer, circa 2011, it was noticeable to me that while there was a plethora of content out there explaining the role of the ScrumMaster and what qualities you want in a person for the role, there […]
Scrum by Example – Feeling Pain from Your Daily Scrum?
Dramatis Personae Steve – a ScrumMaster and the hero of our story Michael – another ScrumMaster for a different team Doug – a member of Steve’s team James – a member of Steve’s team Fred – a member of Steve’s team Paula – the Product Owner of Steve’s team Steve and the team are starting […]