The Mountain Goat Software Blog
Blog articles
2 Times to Play Planning Poker and 1 Time Not To
I recommend using Planning Poker on product backlog items rather than on the tasks that make up a sprint backlog.
Be Here Now
Use focus and presence to improve collaboration, meetings, and team performance.
Building a Product Users Want: From Idea to Backlog with the Vision Board
Connect product vision to backlog decisions so teams build toward a product customers actually want.
3 Roles That Need to be Involved in Agile Estimating with Planning Poker
Clarify who should be in Planning Poker so estimates include the right knowledge.
Know Exactly What Velocity Means to Your Scrum Team
Define velocity clearly so teams use it consistently.
Only Show Finished Work During a Sprint Review--Maybe
Decide when showing unfinished work in a sprint review may still be useful.
Using Vertical Slicing and Estimation to Make Business Decisions at Adobe
See how vertical slicing and estimation helped multiple teams make better product decisions.
Placing Rules on Self-Organizing Teams
Learn when rules can help self-organizing teams without taking ownership away.
How to Be Sure You've Thought of Everything
Use a simple reminder that no backlog captures everything up front.
My Favorites for Team Movie Day
One of my favorite movie scenes comes in The Untouchables when mobster Al Capone (played by Robert DeNiro) says,...
When You Miss the Point of Sprint Planning Meetings
Refocus sprint planning on shared understanding, not exhaustive task prediction.
Providing Feedback to Team Members
Give useful feedback without relying on heavy performance review rituals.