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Discover the future of agile roles in organizations with the insights of Brock Argue, co-founder of Superheroes Academy. Our latest episode unravels the real-world implications of economic pressures on the agile transformation journey, with a keen focus on the delicate interplay between team support and hands-on product development. As heavyweights like Spotify and Capital One pivot towards leaner structures, we question the longevity of specialized coaching positions and how these changes might reshape the agile landscape.

This week's takeaways:

• Invest in Skill Development: Explore the untapped potential in skill development.
• Embrace Agility and Flexibility: Dive into the world of agility and flexibility demanded by the hybrid work model and shifting economic tides.
• Focus on Productivity and Delivery: Whether in-person or remote, the secret sauce lies in unwavering focus on productivity and delivery.

We love to hear feedback! If you have questions, would like to propose a topic, or even join us for a conversation, contact us here: [email protected]

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On the last episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast, Peter & Dave had a great discussion about 12 year-end suggestions for a more agile 2023. Let’s take a look at the four main categories they discussed.

This week's takeaways:
A. Marketplace and change:
   1. Do more with less
   2. AI in our work
   3. Shorter time horizons (in times of uncertainty)

B. Pragmatic stuff to remember
   4. Two out one in (manage WIP)
   5. High uncertainty means continuous learning and validation
   6. Estimates are just guesses

C. Don't forget
   7. The Agile/DevOps mindset
   8. Risks and contingency
  9. Don't forget to measure

D. End of year
   10. Check your progress/direction
   11. Take time to review/learn
   12. Recognize the people that got you (t)here

We love to hear feedback! If you have questions, would like to propose a topic, or even join us for a conversation, contact us here: [email protected] 

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Scaling Agile to fit your world! Peter & Dave explore the nuances of customizing agile frameworks for diverse organizational needs. They delve into practical applications of the 80-20 rule and discuss the pivotal role of agile coaching in facilitating effective change. Tune in for a clear and engaging discussion on how to adapt agile methods to suit your specific organizational needs, making your work processes smoother and more efficient.

This week's takeaways:

• Context-specific scaling: the need to tailor agile scaling efforts to the unique context and culture of each organization, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work.
• Framework agnosticism:  the importance of not being overly reliant on a single agile framework. Instead, understanding and choosing from various frameworks and patterns to best fit your organization's specific needs is crucial.
• The 80-20 rule in scaling: identify the critical 20% of agile practices that are most relevant and impactful for your organization, while recognizing that 80% might be generally applicable.
• Organizational change as problem-solving:  scaling agile as an organizational change challenge, requiring a problem-solving mindset to identify specific issues and apply targeted agile practices effectively.

If you're interested in editing or providing feedback for their upcoming ebook, please contact us at [email protected]. And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insightful episodes.

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Following on from episode 115, today's episode, Peter and Dave delve into the complexities of capacity planning in organizations undergoing transitions, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that incorporates agile principles and traditional project management practices. They stress the importance of due diligence, the interface between different methodologies, and the necessity of prioritizing improvements to achieve a more agile and efficient workflow.

This week's takeaways:

• Emphasize the importance of due diligence in capacity planning, especially in transitional states where agile practices are not fully established.
• Acknowledge the interface between traditional project management and agile methodologies, recognizing that both have valuable contributions.
• Prioritize work based on a common understanding of organizational problems and goals.
• Communicate the idea that focusing on specific improvements doesn't mean discarding other initiatives but rather sequencing them for continuous enhancement.

For collaboration or feedback on our ebook, contact us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe, spread the word to a friend, and join our engaging conversations. Who knows? You might just be our next podcast guest as we continue to explore the rich tapestry of agile transformation

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Ever tried to untangle the stubborn knot of capacity planning in Agile teams? Brace yourself as we, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock, take you on an enlightening journey to decipher the complexities of this aspect. We shed light on the importance of crafting robust, dedicated, and cross-functional teams and how they become a reliable gauge for capacity planning. We acknowledge the uphill battle many organizations are fighting, leading to wavering predictability and dwindling trust. Traditional resource planning methods are out, and the focus on team consistency is in.

This week's takeaways:

• Shift from Work-Centric to Customer-Centric View.
• Trust and empower agile teams to manage their capacities for better performance and adaptability.
• Identify critical skill sets and shared services beyond agile teams.
• Recognize potential bottlenecks in compliance, UX, or infrastructure for strategic capacity planning.

If you're interested in editing or providing feedback for their upcoming ebook, please contact us at [email protected]. And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insightful episodes.

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Join us as we welcome David Adeoye, an esteemed guest and expert in Agile and Project Management. Discover how these two strategies can work together to maximize business value. Learn tips on adopting new ways of working and navigating complexities. Explore the role of biases in decision-making and the connection between culture and cybersecurity. Gain insights on Agile Cybersecurity and its benefits.

This week's takeaways:
- Use agile methodologies to improve efficiency in cybersecurity projects.
- Adopt feature-based thinking with versioned cybersecurity plans tied to budgets.
- Understand the problem-solving approaches of project management and agility.
- Focus on delivering value efficiently based on project context.
- Foster a culture of reporting cybersecurity issues.
- Conduct simulated exercises to improve cybersecurity mindset and incident reporting.

For collaboration or feedback on their ebook, contact them at [email protected]. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insights

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Are you ready to build a culture that values quality and embraces design thinking? We'll show you how to foster collaboration, encourage idea-sharing, and establish feedback loops for data within your organization. Learn how to establish consistency, manage system risks, and make informed decisions for future scalability. Rest assured, creating a culture of design thinking goes beyond simply following a process - it's about making quality a core value of your organization.

This week's takeaways:

• Design Thinking as a Habit: Make it a continual practice, not a one-time exercise.
• Transparency and Collaboration: Encourage everyone to challenge and share ideas, fostering a culture of innovation and problem-solving.
• Aligning Ideas with Objectives: Evaluate how feasible ideas contribute to strategic goals and adapt as necessary.
• Managing Conflicts and Respecting Ideas: Foster a comfortable environment for disagreement when important decisions need to be made.

If you're interested in editing or providing feedback for their upcoming ebook, please contact them at [email protected]. And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insightful episodes.

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Join us for an exciting episode of "Definitely, Maybe Agile" as David Sharrock shares his firsthand experience of a successful business transformation in the competitive world of e-retail. Get ready for valuable insights on the real-world impact of agile transformations and what it takes to make them happen.

This week's takeaways:

• Leadership Matters: Open, experimental, and engaged leadership is essential for successful agile transformations.
• Collaboration: Combining bottom-up team initiatives with top-down support is crucial for lasting change.
• Business-Tech Alignment: Aligning technology with business objectives and adapting to market changes yields significant advantages in agile transformations.

Resources:
- Hudson Bay Start- https://derivadow.com/2007/11/08/hudson-bay-start-reducing-project-risk/

If you're interested in helping edit or provide feedback for their upcoming ebook, you can reach out to them at [email protected]. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insightful episodes. 

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Struggling to juggle multiple tasks and maintain focus? Join Peter Madison and David Sharrock as they shed light on the significant consequences of context switching on work productivity. From exploring the complexities of our thinking processes to the negative effects of constant notifications on our devices, we uncover the toll that switching between initiatives can have on our productivity.

But we don't stop at uncovering the problem; we provide practical strategies for managing cognitive load and reducing context switching. Learn about time blocking, a method that allows you to allocate dedicated time for deep, meaningful work. Discover the power of making work visible and contributing purposefully in meetings. We also emphasize the importance of clear meeting agendas and being mindful of the tasks we take on. By implementing these strategies, team members can work more effectively, minimizing unnecessary interruptions.

This week's takeaways:

• Context Switching is a Hidden Productivity Killer.
• Make work visible and prioritize tasks.
• Recognize that it takes time to transition between different tasks and thinking modes.

Join us in this episode as we navigate through the challenges of context-switching and explore ways to build a more productive work environment.  Don't forget to subscribe and share your feedback! For additional resources and to join the conversation, contact us at [email protected] with your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Stay tuned for more exciting content!

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Feeling stuck when it comes to aligning IT with your business goals? Wondering why bridging the gap between tech and business is so important? Get ready to change the way you think about IT as we explore the value of IT as a strategic partner. In this episode, we'll share insights to help you maximize your organization's capabilities.

But our conversation doesn't stop there. We'll also delve into effective communication and building a strong partnership between IT and business. Discover the importance of speaking a common language, respecting each other, and building trust.

This week's takeaways:

• Effective Communication: Speak in a way your audience understands, especially when discussing complex topics like technology and business.
• Shift to a Strategic Partnership: Understand the challenges faced by the business and show how technology can be leveraged strategically.
• Collaborate in Both Directions: Success requires a two-way dialogue between IT and the business, with both sides contributing their insights and needs.

If you're ready to transform your organization's integration of IT and business, this episode is your guide. Join us on this enlightening journey, and don't forget to subscribe and give us your feedback! To learn more and be part of the conversation, contact us at [email protected]. Stay tuned for more exciting content!