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In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the nuances of product backlogs in agile environments. They discuss the tension between emergent backlogs and fixed feature sets, the importance of backlog management, and various prioritization techniques, including "buy a feature" and impact-effort matrices.

This week's takeaways:

• Separate tactical (near-term) and strategic backlogs to reduce psychological pressure and maintain focus - avoid creating extensive long-term backlogs that will likely become irrelevant.
• Stakeholder prioritization must be balanced with technical constraints and team capabilities - product owners should communicate changes in delivery order transparently to maintain trust.
• Regular backlog refinement should include archiving rejected items instead of deleting them, helping teams avoid repeatedly addressing the same requests while keeping the active backlog manageable.

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Join Peter Maddison and David Sharrock in this thought-provoking episode of Definitely Maybe Agile as they explore the evolution of leadership decision-making in modern organizations. They dive deep into how traditional leadership models are being challenged by today's business environment and discuss the crucial shift from control-based to collaborative decision-making approaches.

This week´s takeaways: 

•  Executive decision-making challenges often stem from two distinct factors: emotional intelligence issues (dealing with unprepared stakeholders) and critical thinking problems (legitimate exploration of complex issues). 
•  The traditional "highest paid person's opinion" (HiPPO) approach to decision-making is becoming increasingly dangerous in today's rapidly changing business environment, where the speed of market changes demands faster and more distributed decision-making processes. 
•  Modern leadership requires a fundamental shift from centralized control to distributed authority, with leaders focusing on creating frameworks that enable lower-level decision-making while maintaining visibility of outcomes. 

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In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile,  Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the evolving complexities of calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO) in modern software development and delivery.

This week´s takeaways:

• TCO fundamentals remain unchanged, but the environment for calculating and applying TCO has become more complex.
• Organizations must distinguish between strategic proprietary development and commoditized solutions, using tools like Wardley mapping to identify where to invest versus reduce costs.
• Understanding and defining system boundaries is crucial for accurate TCO calculation - using approaches like value chain mapping, value stream mapping, or domain-driven design helps identify hidden costs and dependencies.

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In this thought-provoking episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast,  Peter Maddison and David Sharrock dive deep into the evolving world of enterprise data management and its impact on modern organizations. From data hygiene to governance, discover how the definition of corporate data has dramatically shifted in recent years and what it means for your business.

This week´s takeaways:

• How regulatory compliance is reshaping data management practices
• The critical balance between quantitative and qualitative data in decision-making
• The impact of AI and LLMs on data analysis and sentiment tracking

Whether you're a technology leader, data professional, or business executive, this episode provides insights into navigating the complex intersection of data governance, team structure, and business value. Learn why traditional approaches to data management may be insufficient for today's challenges and what successful organizations are doing differently.

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In this episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the application of generative AI in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). While many organizations focus solely on using AI tools like GitHub Copilot for coding, the hosts discuss a broader vision of how AI can enhance the entire development process, from ideation to maintenance. They delve into innovative concepts like organizational knowledge agents and AI-assisted work prioritization systems.

This week´s takeaways:

• SDLC optimization  - A key value creation area that continues to evolve through new approaches and technologies.
• AI applications extend beyond developer tools - Moving past coding assistance to improve productivity across multiple roles and touchpoints.
• AI as an organizational assistant - Understanding company knowledge, refining ideas, and improving prioritization and decision-making processes.

Want to join the conversation about AI in SDLC and digital transformation at scale? Share your thoughts and feedback at [email protected], and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to stay updated on future discussions about agile and DevOps practices.

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In this episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the critical challenges they've encountered when working on agile transformations. From superficial leadership support to misdiagnosed organizational problems, these seasoned consultants share their insights on navigating the complex obstacles that can undermine transformation efforts. They also discuss the dynamics of working with strong-willed leaders, managing shifting priorities, and the importance of dedicated teams - all while highlighting the fundamental role of effective leadership in driving successful change. This episode offers valuable lessons for any organization embarking on an agile journey at scale.

This week's takeaways:

• Lack of leadership buy-in and support can doom an agile transformation effort, as the change agents lack the authority and credibility to drive the necessary changes.
• Fixing the wrong problem or focusing on ineffective solutions like training can waste time and resources, highlighting the importance of accurately diagnosing the root causes.
• Challenges with strong-willed leaders, constantly shifting priorities, and non-dedicated teams all require skilled navigation and a focus on addressing the underlying leadership and organizational issues.

By the end of this discussion, you'll understand why identifying the right problem is crucial for meaningful transformation and how organizations can avoid these common traps to achieve genuine progress.

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In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock tackle the delicate balance between work transparency and micromanagement, particularly in hybrid work environments. They explore how breaking down work effectively, building trust between leaders and teams, and maintaining healthy communication patterns can create a more productive workplace. The hosts discuss why detailed task breakdowns aren't about control but rather about creating clarity and confidence for all stakeholders involved.

This week´s takeaways: 

•  Effective work relationships require trust flowing both ways between leadership and teams.
• Breaking down work into smaller, measurable pieces isn't about micromanagement – it's about creating clarity, enabling better learning, and building confidence in progress.
• Leaders need to be mindful of how they request updates and information.

 Listen in for actionable ideas and engaging perspectives that will help you build stronger, more accountable teams.

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Why do even successful agile teams struggle to maintain their improvement momentum?
In this compelling episode, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock answer this question and challenge the myth that continuous improvement is "just a mindset." Drawing from both scientific research and hands-on experience, they reveal why sustaining improvement is physically and mentally taxing, and why the journey becomes increasingly difficult after the initial quick wins. Through insights from sports coaching and real-world software delivery, they offer a fresh perspective on making continuous improvement truly sustainable.

This week´s takeaways: 

• Continuous Improvement Needs Constant Nurturing
• Small Steps Lead to Big Changes
• Make Progress Visible and Achievable

 Want more practical insights on scaling agile and DevOps practices? Join Peter and Dave as they unpack the complexities of modern software delivery and organizational transformation. Subscribe to Definitely Maybe Agile wherever you get your podcasts, and share your thoughts at [email protected].

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In this episode, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock delve into onboarding in organizations. They explore the challenges and best practices of integrating new team members, discussing everything from formal training methods to hands-on learning approaches. The conversation covers the importance of providing context, the value of apprenticeship-style learning, and the role of DevOps practices in facilitating smooth onboarding processes.

This week´s takeaways:

• Provide comprehensive organizational context to new hires
• Implement apprenticeship-style, hands-on learning
• Create easily digestible, on-demand learning content
• Develop robust DevOps practices for early engagement
• Balance formal training with informal learning opportunities
• Regularly validate learning progress and understanding
• Tailor onboarding approaches to different roles and experience levels

Don't miss this episode if you're looking to enhance your organization's onboarding processes and create a more agile and efficient workplace environment.

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In this episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock discuss the evolution of agile methodologies beyond software development. They explore how agile principles can be applied to business processes, such as budgeting, and delve into the challenges of implementing cultural change within organizations. The conversation touches on the importance of collaboration, facilitated workshops, and the need to move beyond rigid frameworks to focus on outcomes and ways of working that drive value.

This week's takeaways:

• Organizations should focus on the benefits and mindset of agile rather than getting caught up in terminology or strict processes.
• Continued efforts to drive cultural shifts are important, even as the initial momentum for change may wane in some environments.
• Instead of fixating on agile terminology or frameworks, organizations should concentrate on fostering collaboration, cross-functional teamwork, and achieving tangible business outcomes to deliver better value sooner safer happier.

Tune in for actionable strategies to foster perseverance and continuous improvement. Don't miss out—subscribe and share with your friends to keep the insights flowing!