The Agile Daily Standup - AgileDad Burnout Is NOT a Agile Problem - It Is A Planning Problem
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Oct 6, 2025 This discussion dives into the alarming signs of burnout in Agile teams during sprint planning. The host debunks the myth that exhaustion is intrinsic to Agile, emphasizing that poor planning is often to blame. Key factors like overstuffed backlogs and unclear scopes are highlighted as major contributors. The importance of regular backlog refinement is underscored to ensure effective planning. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for tracking team well-being alongside deliverables to foster a more sustainable work environment.
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Doomed Sprint From The Start
- Lee Henson recounts a sprint planning meeting where the team looked exhausted before the sprint even began.
- Two weeks later everyone was burned out and the sprint failed due to poor planning, not bugs.
Agile Isn’t To Blame
- Burnout is not caused by Agile or Scrum; it's caused by bad planning and expectations.
- The Agile manifesto contains no endorsement of burning out teams every sprint.
Causes: Overload And Vending Machine Mentality
- Overstuffed backlogs, shifting priorities, and last-minute additions create chronic overload.
- Treating teams like vending machines encourages impossible expectations and burnout.