Real Agile forecasting runs on math, not magic. Brian and Lance dive into Monte Carlo methods, DORA metrics, and how AI is shifting the future of project management. All with a human-first approach that builds better teams, not bigger spreadsheets. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian…

…really takes to lead Agile teams inside a large, fast-moving organization. From developing leadership habits to navigating team dynamics and staying grounded in purpose, this conversation is full of thoughtful takeaways for anyone working at the intersection of people, process, and product. References and resources mentioned in the show: Brendan…

…and capabilities on an agile software development project. Agile product managers have been advised to prioritize based on “business value.” While this seems an appropriate goal, it is vague and provides little specific guidance. Our approach to optimizing “business value” uses tactics to minimize costs and maximize benefits through strategic…

None of the agile processes as described by their originators is perfect for your organization. Any may be a good starting point, but you will need to tailor the process to more precisely fit the unique circumstances of your organization, individuals, and industry. As Alistair Cockburn once told me, “Having…

To a large extent, agile is about making tradeoffs. Product owners learn they can trade scope for schedule: get more later or less sooner. Agile projects need to strike a balance between no upfront thinking and too much upfront thinking, a subject I’ve written about before. I want to write…

…Principles and Values of Agile and Scrum It would be great if you could focus more on the principles and values of agile and Scrum rather than focusing just on having us adhere to the rules of Scrum. As an example, it’s great to tell us a daily scrum has…

…the scourge of many agile teams. In this post I offer four suggestions on keeping down the size of your product backlog, starting with the obvious one of deleting things you’ll never do. 8) Managing Sprint Interruptions by Tracking Buffer Use Buffering an overall project against uncertainty has long been…

…pertaining to Scrum and agile today. With Mountain Goat Software, he delivers both our CSM and CSPO courses. Interested in Training with Lance? Click here to see his upcoming certified Scrum course dates. In 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold in California. The following year thousands braved treacherous journeys as…

…What Does a High-Performing Agile Team Look Like? To discover what makes a good team become great, let’s break down my definition of a high-performing Scrum team: A high-performing team sustainably exceeds expectations in achieving clear goals. Exceeds Expectations Let’s start with “exceeds expectations.” To be considered high performing, a…

…this episode of the “Agile Mentors” podcast, Brian is joined by Agile coach and trainer Mike Cohn to discuss the art of writing user stories through story-writing workshops. Mike shares his expertise on the importance of creating user stories, including how to write them effectively and their benefits in the…

…world of neurodiversity within Agile environments. Listen in to gain valuable insights into the challenges neurodivergent individuals encounter and discover effective strategies, from reevaluating dress codes to adapting communication methods, to foster an inclusive workspace. Susan provides practical tips that offer a fresh perspective on accommodating diverse work and communication…

…this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian interviews Christopher DiBella, an expert in leadership and organizational development, about the power of influencing without authority. They explore how Agile leaders, especially Scrum Masters, can effectively guide teams and influence organizational culture through respect, empathy, and compassion. Chris shares practical strategies…

…this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes interview coach Tali Shlafer for a practical, clear-eyed conversation about how to approach job interviews as a skill, not a personality trait. Tali shares why being great at your job doesn’t automatically translate to interview success, especially in collaborative fields like…

A key agile principle is the value of getting planned work done each iteration. Yet many agile and Scrum teams fall into the habit of letting unfinished work spill over sprint after sprint. What Is Agile Spillover? Spillover is when planned work (a product backlog item or story) is left…

…to Scrum or any agile process has been to start with a pilot project, learn from it, and then spread agile throughout the organization. This approach is the frequently used start-small pattern in which an organization selects typically one to three scrum teams (of five to nine people each), gets…