…Scrum allows for flexible agile planning that can be quickly updated based on feedback and changing requirements. Empowerment of Teams: Scrum encourages stakeholders to empower teams to find the best ways to achieve their objectives, fostering innovation and ownership. Continuous Improvement: Through regular retrospectives, Scrum teams continuously reflect on their…

…Is there a recommended agile team size? We all know that Scrum recommends small, cross-functional teams but why is small better? And what exactly does it mean to be small?” In my book Succeeding with Agile, I write about the many advantages of small teams: Less social loafing More constructive…

…this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner sits down with Marcus Lagré, product organization coach and author of The Stress Equation, to break down the science of workplace stress. They explore the differences between mental and emotional stress, how pressure and complexity impact teams, and why security in…

…this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian and Julie Chickering unpack the concept of “meeting hangovers”—the lingering negative effects of ineffective meetings. They explore why bad meetings happen, the shared responsibility of facilitators and participants, and practical strategies for turning the tide. From fostering accountability to knowing when to…

…personality, align activities with Agile's three pillars (transparency, inspection, and adaptation), and spark meaningful change with every session. References and resources mentioned in the show: Stranger Things Retrospective Download Agile Retrospectives by Esther Derby & Diana Larsen Retromat Blog: Overcoming Four Common Problems with Retrospectives by Mike Cohn Blog: Does…

…Cohn Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast Want to get involved? This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input. Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one. Got an Agile subject you’d like us…

Agile frameworks like Scrum are built on two fundamental principles: iterative development and incremental development. These terms are so frequently used (and misused) that their impact can be lost, but understanding how each approach works—and why combining them is so powerful—is key to building better software, faster. This article breaks…

…most critical role on agile teams. Plus: short sprints, fake one-day sprints, and a healthy dose of “what even is a Sprint, anyway?” If you're feeling the tension between building faster and deciding smarter, this convo’s got your name on it. References and resources mentioned in the show: Cort Sharp…

…operating system behind every Agile team’s success (or struggle). Colin Fisher, author of The Collective Edge, joins Brian to share what decades of research and hands-on observation reveal about high-performing teams. From ideal team size (spoiler: it’s 4.5), to avoiding the trap of blaming individuals for systemic issues, Colin offers…

…show: Mike Cohn Accurate Agile Planning Course Blog: Estimating and Planning in Agile: Why They Still Matter in 2026 by Mike Cohn Blog: Getting Better Estimates Is Easier Than You Think by Mike Cohn Blog: What Are Agile Story Points? By Mike Cohn Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast Want…

Many leaders assume Agile breaks down in highly regulated environments. John Holmes has spent years proving the opposite inside aerospace, defense, and space programs where the cost of failure is extremely high. Overview In this episode, Brian Milner talks with Scrum Inc. Fellow John Holmes about what it actually takes…

…early days we promoted agile project management only for small teams because that was where it originated. We had plenty of experience to say that agile worked well on seven- to 10-person teams. We were also quick to learn the techniques that allowed agile project management methodologies to scale up…