How does Toyota apply Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) principles to portfolio management? In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West and PST Lucas Smith, Director of Agile Program & Services, Toyota Connected, explore how Toyota Connected structures its funding models, defines product life cycles, and manages dependencies in complex product ecosystems. Learn how Toyota Connected balances agility with control, ensuring product teams can innovate while maintaining strategic alignment. Tune in to discover how APOM principles are shaping portfolio agility at scale.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast,  host Dave West and Yuval Yeret, Professional Scrum Trainer and SAFe Fellow explore how the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) can enhance the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). They discuss the shift from a rigid "feature factory" approach to a dynamic "lab" environment that fosters experimentation and value discovery. Yuval highlights the need to evolve SAFe to better support product-oriented organizations, highlighting practical steps like the Portfolio Agility Trail Map. Tune in to learn how SAFe and APOM can work together and other considerations.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West and PST Andy Brandt explore the state of Agile transformations and the shift toward the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) as featured in their recently written whitepaper. While Agile has been widely adopted, challenges like misalignment between business strategy and technical execution persist. Andy shares how focusing on products instead of work and starting small with one team can drive meaningful change. They discuss the role of AI in enhancing productivity, the importance of organizational alignment, and how executive commitment can lead to spectacular results. Tune in to learn how to move beyond Agile transformations and embrace a product-first mindset!

Referenced whitepaper: Moving Beyond Agile Transformations: Leveraging the Agile Product Operating Model

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Professional Scrum Trainer Jay Rahman to explore the evolving landscape of agility in the Middle East. They discuss how rapid digital transformation is driving the need for agility, not just in startups but also in established enterprises. Jay highlights the critical role of leadership in fostering an agile mindset, the importance of strong product thinking, and how organizations can balance speed with adaptability. Tune in to learn why agility is more than just a framework—it’s a strategic necessity for long-term success.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West chats with Accenture’s Professional Scrum Trainer Dimitris Dimitrelos about how companies and organizations introduce the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM). They explore the shift from project-based to product-based approaches, how APOM integrates business and product development, and the challenges of aligning legacy structures with new ways of working. Dimitris highlights the need for strong C-level sponsorship and cross-functional transformation teams to drive success. Tune in to learn how organizations are navigating this transformation to achieve true business agility.

In this Ask a PST session, Professional Scrum Trainer Mary Iqbal answers questions around the principles of Agile Leadership, offering actionable insights for fostering collaboration, enabling self-managing teams, and driving organizational success in a fast-paced, complex world.

In part two of this portfolio management Q&A, Dave West, Yuval Yeret, and Darrell Fernandes tackle the complexities of funding products vs. teams, especially in nonprofits. They explore shifting from work-based to product-based funding, managing technical debt vs. product roadmap progress, and aligning business and technology goals. The discussion highlights the role of initiative owners, evidence-based management, and finance partnerships in driving effective portfolio decisions. They also explore the concept of working cross-product. Tune in for insights on creating a more sustainable and impact-driven portfolio strategy. 

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave is joined by Yuval Yeret and Darrell Fernandes to answer key questions on Agile product portfolio management from a recent webinar. They explore how to visualize work, reduce work in progress, and prioritize investments using cost of delay. The conversation highlights the importance of quarterly business reviews, aligning initiatives with strategic goals, and leveraging Kanban and Evidence-Based Management. Tune in for practical insights on managing Agile portfolios effectively—and stay tuned for Part 2!

Here is the resource Yuval mentioned containing the Product Portfolio Agility Trail Map. 

In this Ask a Professional Scrum Trainer episode, Patricia Kong moderates a discussion with Simon Flossmann and Stas Pavlov tackling listener questions on the challenges of Product Backlog Management. They explore techniques for prioritization, balancing technical debt, and improving transparency with stakeholders. From leveraging the Kano model and Magic estimation to using tools like Miro and Monte Carlo simulations for forecasting, they provide actionable insights to help teams refine their backlog effectively. Tune in for expert advice on optimizing backlog management for better product outcomes!

In this Scrum.org Community Podcast episode, our host Dave West speaks with Bilal Alawiye, Agile Coach Lead at Sanofi’s Accelerator, and Stephen Sykes, co-founder of Scrum Match. Bilal shares how Sanofi’s Accelerator transformed its approach to Scrum Mastery. The discussion highlights challenges like mechanical Scrum and the evolving role of Scrum Masters in fostering a product-focused culture, making their contributions transparent, and addressing business complexities. They explore how Sanofi’s Accelerator partnered with Scrum Match to enhance Scrum Master recruitment, emphasizing the importance of domain knowledge, product orientation, and value delivery. 

View written case study