In an Agile environment, you don’t have to be nice. But you should always be kind. Leaders should be: [Fill in the blank.] Depending on whether you’re a traditionalist, boomer, Gen X, millennial, or Gen Z, you probably have very different perspectives on what leadership looks like and how leaders should act. In recent years,…
People Over Process: Behind Agile’s Core Principles In “People Over Process,” Michael K Levine explains how the focus on “Individuals and Interactions” over “Processes and Tools” is key to Agile. That’s why it was the first value listed in the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. 20 years on, we can see why and how this…
Is Your Team on Target? How to use Scrum Burndown Charts to Measure Performance Scrum Burndown Charts are designed to provide your team with feedback on how you’re performing, so you can make informed decisions as you move forward. There are different levels of burndowns including project, release, and sprint burndowns, but they all have…
Is Agile Right for Your Business? When it comes to business, “one size fits all” solutions simply don’t work — especially when income is on the line and businesses can reach a make-or-break point within days. Whether you’re a small business or an enterprise, it’s vital to constantly optimize operations, reduce job costs and wasted…
Kanban vs Scrum: What’s Better for Your Project? Deciding between Kanban vs Scrum can be a tough nut to crack, especially since these terms are often mistaken for one another and go hand-in-hand. However, there are some key factors that set them apart. What is Scrum all about? Scrum is a framework that builds upon…
The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions to businesses worldwide, marking a fundamental change in the way many businesses operated. When put in a situation of adapt or die, some businesses were able to not only survive but thrive, while others shut their doors for good. The organizations which shifted quickly and were able to rapidly…
The Symbiotic Relationship between Sprint Backlogs and Product Backlogs If you’re new to the Scrum methodology, the difference between Sprint Backlog and Product Backlog can be a head-scratcher. Let’s take a quick look at these tools. Ready, set, go! What is the Product Backlog? Essentially, a Product Backlog (PB) is a dynamic list of potential…
The Agile Approach: Focus on Outcomes, Not Actions As they sail the ship towards success, good leaders act as role models, setting an example for team members and boosting their performance. To continue the analogy, Agile leaders are well equipped to handle changing weather conditions or stormy seas by being quick to adapt. They combine…
In today’s organizations, modern leaders often focus on fostering a learning and experimental culture. In such environments, employees usually don’t have to worry about making mistakes because their efforts are in the interest of trying and learning new concepts every day. This type of agility, which cultivates teamwork, innovation and growth, has become even more…
Agile Leadership: How to Balance Recognition and Criticism The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down, forcing most companies and businesses to react to abruptly changing conditions instead of planning ahead proactively. This change epitomizes why agile leadership is so important. In times of uncertainty and chaos, business agility provides the adaptability to pivot…