The Mountain Goat Software Blog

Blog articles

Text graphic: See progress and scope change on the same chart.

Improving On Traditional Release Burndown Charts

Use release burndown charts to see progress and scope together.

Text graphic: Notice the habits that strengthen collaboration.

The Chivalrous Team Member

Recognize helpful behavior that strengthens collaboration and trust.

Text graphic: Estimate at the right time and level of detail.

When Should We Estimate the Product Backlog

Estimate backlog items at the right time and level of detail.

Article artwork for Writing User Stories for Back-end Systems.

Writing User Stories for Back-end Systems

Write user stories for backend systems where users are less obvious.

Text graphic: Keep backlog detail just enough and just in time.

Writing the Product Backlog Just in Time and Just Enough

Keep backlog detail just enough and just in time.

Text graphic: Measure productivity without misusing estimates.

Should Companies Measure Productivity in Story Points / Ideal Days?

One measure we may want to include in our suite of metrics could be the responsiveness of the development organization.

Article artwork for Why I Don't Use Story Points for Sprint Planning.

Why I Don't Use Story Points for Sprint Planning

I don't use story points for sprint planning because story points are a useful long-term measure. They are not useful in the short-term.

Text graphic: Consensus matters more than mathematical averages.

Don't Average During Planning Poker

While I want teams to come to agreement, I don't care how heartfelt the agreement is.

Text graphic: Re-estimate only when the new estimate helps.

To Re-estimate or not; that is the question

When we estimate it is important that we not mix knowledge-before-the-fact with knowledge-after-the-fact.

Article artwork for Differences Between Scrum and Extreme Programming.

Differences Between Scrum and Extreme Programming

Compare Scrum and Extreme Programming so teams understand where each approach helps.

Text graphic: Critical paths still matter on agile projects.

The Critical Path on Agile Projects

I eventually came to the realization that the team would always be smarter than me.

Text graphic: Let the team help choose who serves them.

ScrumMaster: Appointed or Team-Selected?

Consider when Scrum Masters should be appointed versus selected by the team.