Scrum.org Community Podcast

In this episode - we kick off a new series - Scrum Master Real Talk, where Dave interviews Scrum Masters in the field sharing what they really do!

In this episode Yannick van der Wende, a Scrum Master from the Netherlands working at Team Rockstars IT, shares his journey from a Microsoft.NET developer to a Scrum Master, highlighting his experiences at various organizations. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to a Scrum Master role, including managing dependencies in data teams at Ascent Energy and fostering psychological safety. 

Yannick emphasizes the importance of understanding team dynamics, leveraging ADHD for quick problem-solving, and creating a neurodiverse environment. He advises new Scrum Masters to build psychological safety, understand team goals, and maintain transparency. Yannick also stressed the need for Scrum Masters to adapt to evolving team needs and leverage diverse perspectives for innovative solutions.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Jay Rahman and Darrell Fernandes join host Dave West to explore the integration of AI—specifically, Large Language Models (LLMs)—within Scrum Teams. Jay cautions against focusing solely on AI technology without factoring in the human element, underscoring the ongoing need for critical roles like Product Owners and Scrum Masters. Darrell highlights AI's potential to disrupt and accelerate but stresses the need for a structured approach that aligns with Agile values. Together, they discuss AI's impact on team dynamics, product ownership, and the holistic approach required—mission, management, and mechanics—to drive successful AI adoption.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Mik Kersten, CTO at Planview, returns to chat with Dave about the movement from project-centric to product-driven models, reflecting on the recent Project to Product event where they both spoke. 

Together, they explore how pragmatic organizations are embracing product operating models, underscoring the need for executive sponsorship, business alignment, and visibility into flow metrics. Kersten shares valuable lessons from Vanguard’s success, the challenges of technical debt, and the importance of infrastructure for sustained transformation. 

Tune in to learn why Mik and Dave are optimistic about the future of product-based models, especially with agile and DevOps practices setting the foundation for success.

In this unique episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Patricia Kong and PSTs Ryan Ripley, Todd Miller and Will Seele discuss the application of the Evidence-Based Management (EBM) framework to career management. They highlight that intentional career management can improve retention rates by 30-50% and that 94% of employees would stay longer at a company investing in their career development. They share personal experiences with using EBM tools like empathy mapping and a career canvas to align career aspirations with organizational goals. They emphasize the importance of co-creation and non-surprising data presentations to foster productive conversations. The conversation also touches on the relevance of EBM for independent consultants and small business owners.

In this Ask a PST session, Agile Director, Executive Coach and Professional Scrum Trainer Jay Rahman answers listener questions and offers advice about their Scrum challenges and obstacles. Jay offers strategies for avoiding and recovering from product delivery failures. Jay emphasized the importance of alignment across leadership, management, and teams, and the need for business and technology to work together. He highlights the critical role of Retrospectives in identifying and addressing issues, and the necessity of senior leadership's accountability. Jay also stresses the importance of Product Owners being fully engaged and available, and the value of using OKRs to foster a culture of accountability. He shares practical examples, such as cross-skilling teams to reduce dependencies and leveraging stakeholder metrics to prioritize requirements. Tune in for a thought provoking session!

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, as a part of our Value Delivered series highlighting Scrum case studies, host Dave West, sits down with Professional Scrum Trainer Mary Iqbal, founder of Rebel Scrum and organizer of Scrum Day Madison. They discuss the agile transformation journey of a leading health insurance provider. Mary shares insights into their shift from a waterfall model to a product-based Agile approach using Scrum, the challenges faced during this transition, and the strategies employed to streamline product ownership and improve delivery processes. Tune in to learn about the importance of defining clear products, empowering teams and fostering a product mindset in large-scale agile implementations.

Ești la început de drum cu Scrum sau vrei să-ți dezvolți experiența în Scrum? Atunci această sesiune este pentru tine.Cu toate că Scrum este ușor și simplu de înțeles, poate fi dificil de aplicat eficient. Seria “Întreabă un Professional Scrum Trainer” te pune în contact cu traineri certificați (PST) de către Scrum.org într-o sesiune live, în care aceștia răspund la cele mai presante întrebări legate de provocările și situațiile cu care se confruntă echipele Scrum.

În această sesiune live a “Întreabă un Professional Scrum Trainer”, cei doi PST români, Mihai Olaru și Ciprian Bănică vor fi disponibili pentru a răspunde întrebărilor voastre arzătoare despre Scrum și pentru a discuta provocările pe care voi sau echipele voastre le întâmpinați.

Paul Kuijten and Fredrik Wendt join Dave West again to discuss the third piece of the Professional Product Ownership Capabilities model - Evolve with Validation. They discuss the importance of understanding and validating the "why" behind product features. They discuss the evolution from traditional requirements to user stories and outcomes, and the need for continuous experimentation to validate assumptions. The conversation highlights the shift towards more empirical and economic validation methods, the role of AI in enhancing this process, and the importance of team collaboration in achieving product success.

In this episode of the Scrum.org community podcast, PSTs Paul Kuijten, and Fredrik Wendt join Dave to discuss the "lead to value" capability in Professional Product Ownership. They emphasize the importance of contextual awareness, understanding market dynamics, and aligning product strategies with business goals. They highlight the challenges of defining products, the impact of organizational capabilities, and the necessity of considering financial aspects and pricing strategies. The conversation also touches on the iterative nature of product definition and the need for long-term decision-making to avoid accumulating technical and business debt. A key theme in this discussion is the importance of leading teams towards value creation and the practical application of Product Ownership principles.

In this PST Spotlight Episode, PST Ryan Ripley interviews Pawel Felinski about his journey into Scrum. Pawel shares how he became a Scrum Master and the initial challenges he faced, including the misconception that Scrum Mastery is simple, and the importance of practical experience over theoretical knowledge. Pawel emphasizes the value of mentorship, learning from peers, and more! Tune in for some great advice.