Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches

When Process Becomes a Prison, Breaking Free from Over-Rigid Agile Team Practices | Mateusz Komander

Feb 11, 2025
Mateusz Komander, Scrum Master at Heineken, shares his expertise in Agile delivery and transforming team dynamics. He discusses how rigid processes can trap teams, using a case study from an airline development team to illustrate the pitfalls of inflexibility. Instead of adapting, the team just added more layers of process. Mateusz emphasizes the importance of shifting daily standups from status updates to collaborative discussions, enhancing teamwork and communication. He also recommends 'Managing for Happiness' as a vital resource for Scrum Masters.
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ADVICE

Recommended Reading for Scrum Masters

  • Read "Managing for Happiness" by Jurgen Appelo for practical tools and real-life examples.
  • Use it to improve your team's environment and introduce new practices.
ANECDOTE

Overly Rigid Processes in an Airline Team

  • An airline team, facing rigid industry demands, created overly strict processes.
  • When deadlines were missed, they added more processes instead of adapting.
ANECDOTE

Adding More Control Instead of Adapting

  • When testing deadlines were missed by a day, the team added more control mechanisms.
  • They increased meetings and tracking instead of adjusting scope or collaborating with testers.
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