Product Agility

Send us a textIn this no-holds-barred solo episode, host Ben Maynard delivers a searing obituary for agile coaching — or at least, the version of it we’ve come to know. If you’re a senior leader investing in agile or a coach trying to stay relevant, this episode is for you.Ben doesn’t just diagnose the decline of agile coaching — he traces its evolution, exposes the industry dynamics that killed it, and calls on both leaders and coaches to fundamentally rethink their approach. From certificate-driven consultancy models to the obsession with frameworks over outcomes, Ben argues that agile coaching lost its soul the moment it stopped delivering real business impact.But all is not lost. This is also a rallying cry for a rebirth — one built on commercial empathy, contextual learning, and building real organisational capability.🧠 What You’ll LearnWhy agile coaching has become irrelevant in many organisationsHow large-scale frameworks and certification mills diluted the craftThe difference between coaching theatre and meaningful transformationWhat leaders should really look for when hiring coachesThe traits and behaviours of truly great, impactful coachesThe hard questions coaches must ask themselves to remain credible💥 Key Takeaways🔥 “Agile coaching is dead. And we killed it.”❌ Death by Framework🛠️ Real Coaching Is Not Jira Hygiene🎯 Who This Is ForAgile Coaches wondering how to stay relevant in a post-framework worldTransformation Leads tired of empty ceremonies with no measurable ROICTOs, CPOs, Heads of Product & Tech looking for real business agility, not theatreProduct Coaches & Leaders reflecting on their own impact💬 Quote of the Episode“If you say ‘more predictable delivery’ is your impact — ask yourself why that matters. Because without a business goal, coaching is theatre.”Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a textIn this episode of the Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard challenges one of the most pervasive and damaging habits in product organisations: treating roadmaps like contracts.Ben explores why our obsession with polished timelines and rigid plans can undermine trust, limit learning, and stall product progress — and offers a radical reframe: what if your roadmap isn’t a document, but a relationship?Drawing on insights from David Pereira and his own coaching experience, Ben walks through a mindset shift that can transform how product teams engage with stakeholders and make strategic decisions — moving from certainty and control to curiosity and collaboration.Topics include:Why “the roadmap is not the strategy” — and why confusing the two causes real harmHow treating roadmaps as delivery plans masks uncertainty and stalls learningThe hidden danger of optimising for artefacts over alignmentWhy tough conversations matter more than tidy timelinesReframing the roadmap as a tool for dialogue, not defencePractical tests to reveal if your roadmap mindset needs a resetThree powerful ways to evolve your roadmap this month — with real impactWhether you’re a product leader trying to engage stakeholders, an agile coach tired of delivery theatre, or simply someone who wants to work smarter — not just faster — this episode will get you rethinking your roadmap from the ground up.Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a textIn this episode of the Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard tackles one of the most misunderstood and overlooked challenges in scaling product organisations: the persistent misalignment between product and technology teams.Ben explores how chaos at scale is often a design flaw, not a team flaw — a consequence of mismatched incentives, unclear operating models, and siloed roadmaps that leave engineering and product pulling in opposite directions.Through personal experience, practical insight, and a healthy dose of provocation, Ben lays out what it really takes to achieve harmony between CPOs and CTOs, and why true alignment doesn't kill autonomy — it unlocks it.Topics include:Why most scaling efforts fail due to organisational architecture, not executionThe signs your product and tech teams are scaling dysfunction, not valueThe “invisible war” between product outcomes and engineering throughputHow to spot early misalignment and avoid bloated governancePractical strategies for shared roadmaps, operating models, and unified OKRsHow platform teams can be internal product teams — not invisible bottlenecksWhy alignment is the secret weapon for autonomy, clarity, and sustainable scaleWhether you’re a CPO, CTO, transformation leader or coach of those navigating growth and complexity, this episode offers a candid, systems-thinking perspective on scaling with intention — and without the chaos.Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a textIn this episode of the Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard shares a practical approach to helping people grow beyond their job titles—an approach that improves collaboration, accelerates delivery, and supports meaningful development without adding unnecessary bureaucracy. At the centre of the conversation is the concept of a “Market of Skills.”Originally introduced by Lisa Adkins in Coaching Agile Teams, the Market of Skills encourages individuals to share the skills they have and the ones they want to develop, making capability visible and growth more intentional. While rooted in Agile, this method has proven valuable across departments—from product and design to leadership and operations.Ben reflects on recent experiences facilitating this approach and offers guidance on how to bring it into your own team in a way that feels natural, human, and impactful.Topics include:Why focusing on roles limits potential and skills-based thinking broadens itHow to create space for peer-to-peer learning and reduce costly dependenciesThe benefits of visible, self-directed development over formal training platformsHow to introduce a Market of Skills without overwhelming your teamsWhat leaders can do to support learning cultures that actually support performanceWhether you're a CPO, Agile coach, product manager or people leader, this episode provides an actionable, people-first perspective on growing capability in modern product organisations.Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a textIn this episode of the Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard explores the role of leading and lagging metrics in product strategy, OKRs, and business impact. Many teams rely on lagging metrics to measure success, but when the results are in, it’s often too late to make meaningful changes. Leading metrics provide an opportunity to adjust course earlier, yet they are frequently misunderstood or overlooked.This episode examines the difference between leading and lagging metrics, why both are essential and how they can be effectively integrated into OKRs to ensure they act as a steering tool rather than just a report card. Ben also discusses the Kellogg Change Model, a framework that helps teams without direct customer impact measure meaningful success.Topics include:Why lagging metrics alone can lead to missed opportunitiesHow leading metrics provide early indicators of successThe connection between strategy, tactics, and measurementThe Kellogg Change Model and how it applies to internal teamsPractical ways to use metrics for learning and adaptation rather than just reportingWhether you are a product manager, an agile coach, or a leader looking to improve strategic decision-making, this episode offers insights into how to measure success more effectively and avoid common pitfalls when setting objectives and key results.Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a textIn this week’s episode of the Product Agility Podcast, Ben is joined by Jim Kalbach, an expert in design, innovation, and the Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) framework. Together, they tackle one of the biggest blind spots in product development—our over-reliance on user stories and how shifting our focus to customer jobs can unlock real value.This episode also marks the start of Season 3, and we’re excited to continue bringing you insightful conversations that bridge the gap between agility and product! Are We Asking the Wrong Questions?For years, product teams have structured their work around user stories, assuming that if we document needs well enough, success will follow. But what if user stories are only capturing symptoms, not the root of what customers truly need? In this episode, Ben and Jim explore:Why the traditional user story approach often fails to predict what customers really want.How Jobs to Be Done flips the script—shifting focus from product features to customer outcomes.The dangers of making product decisions based on assumptions rather than real human behavior.How to integrate JTBD thinking into your product discovery process.Practical Takeaways:Start with the job, not the product. Instead of asking what customers need from your product, ask: What are they trying to get done?Identify hidden competition. Your product isn’t just competing with direct alternatives—it’s competing with workarounds, habits, and even inaction.Test assumptions early. Don’t assume you know what customers want—validate their unmet needs through interviews and observation.Use job stories as a tool. A JTBD job story helps teams focus on the real-world progress customers seek, rather than getting lost in feature requests.🔥 What’s your take? Are user stories holding your team back? Have you tried Jobs to Be Done in your product work? Jim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkalbach/Jim's book, Jobs to Be Done: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jobs-Be-Done-Playbook-Organization/dp/1933820683 Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a textIn this week’s Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard takes the mic solo once again, tackling an issue that has taken over the world of Agile and Product Management: our over-reliance on templates and canvases.From Vision Canvases to Lean Product Discovery Templates, we’ve been sold the dream that structured frameworks make our lives easier. But do they? Or are they actually making us lazy thinkers, stifling creativity, and holding us back from true innovation?The Trap of the One-Size-Fits-All MindsetCanvases and templates promise clarity, but they often lead teams to follow a formula rather than think critically. In this episode, Ben explores:Why templates feel safe—and how they can be a dangerous crutch.The illusion of progress—when filling out a template feels like work, but nothing meaningful gets decided.How standardised frameworks kill nuance—forcing unique products and teams into predefined boxes.When templates actually work—and how to adapt them to serve you, not control you.Practical Takeaways:Start with the problem, not the template. Before grabbing a canvas, ask: “What are we actually trying to solve?”Inspect and adapt. If a template doesn’t quite fit, tweak it—don’t let it dictate your thinking.Use templates as a conversation starter, not a final document. It’s the discussions and insights they generate that truly matter.Kill the dead templates. If a framework isn't adding value, stop using it. Not all tools deserve a permanent place in your workflow.🔥 What’s your take? Have templates helped or hindered your work? Do you have a canvas horror story or a surprising success? Tag Ben Maynard on LinkedIn and join the conversation!Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/👉 Follow the podcast and stay updated on new episodes!Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a text🔗 Master Lean Product Discovery – Sheev Workshops: https://sheev.co.uk/training/leanux/In this week’s Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard takes the mic solo once again to tackle one of the biggest and most persistent failures in product and agile transformations: the misunderstanding of how learning drives adaptability.For years, agile practitioners and product leaders have been trapped by a delivery-first mindset. They race to meet deadlines without truly validating their ideas. The result? Teams deliver at speed but fail to learn fast, leading to wasted effort, frustrated stakeholders, and products that miss the mark.Ben dives into why learning speed > delivery speed and how misinterpreting key agile principles has slowed us down rather than accelerating success. He also unpacks the critical mistake that organisations continue to make: treating the business as just the Product Owner, rather than fostering true collaboration between developers, users, and real business stakeholders.Key Takeaways:The hidden cost of prioritising speed of delivery over speed of learningWhy the "business" in agile principles should mean more than just the Product OwnerHow teams can validate ideas before writing a single line of codeThe case for continuous user engagement—not just after launchA simple shift to break free from feature-factory thinkingPractical Insights:Why your roadmap should be a learning plan, not just a list of featuresThe power of discovery sprints to de-risk product decisionsHow learning Kanban can revolutionise backlog refinementAgile Coaches & Scrum Masters—your real role isn't efficiency, it's learning🔎 Join the conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Send us a textIn this week’s Product Agility Podcast, host Ben Maynard takes the mic solo to tackle one of the most controversial (and misunderstood) statements in product development: "Developers should NEVER talk to customers or users…"😲But wait—should they? Or is this just another myth holding product teams back?Ben dives into the real reasons why some organisations resist letting developers engage with customers, why this mindset stifles innovation, and how shifting towards an outcome-driven approach leads to better products, happier teams, and more business impact.With years of experience bridging the gap between Agile and Product, Ben shares practical strategies for empowering teams to focus on solving real problems rather than just shipping features.Key Takeaways:Why many teams are stuck in a feature factory—and how to break free.The power of direct customer conversations—and why every developer should be involved.Outcome vs. Output: How to stop wasting time and money building the wrong things.The Lean Product Canvas in action: A real-world example of saving tens of thousands by testing ideas early.Leadership mindset shifts: Moving from feature delivery to solving business problems.Practical Insights:How teams can validate their ideas BEFORE writing a single line of code.Why traditional backlog management is failing product teams—and what to do instead.The simple interviewing techniques that empower teams to make better decisions.Scrum Masters & Agile Coaches: How to bring customer learning into sprint reviews.Links & Resources:🔗 Learn more about the Lean Product Canvas → Sheev Workshops: https://sheev.co.uk/training/leanux/📚 Read ‘Who Does What by How Much’ by Jeff Gothelf → https://bit.ly/3EB16ze🔎 Join the conversation on LinkedIn → Ben Maynard’s Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ Ready to challenge the status quo? Listen now and let us know: Do developers in your team talk to customers? Why or why not? 👇Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Join Jeff Gothelf, a renowned author and product discovery expert, as he discusses why Lean UX is considered 'dead' and what’s taking its place. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from feature delivery to problem-solving and collaboration within teams. Jeff also introduces the Lean Product Canvas as a pivotal tool for aligning business goals with product discovery and enhancing customer impact. He cautions against blindly adopting AI solutions without understanding core problems, urging teams to focus on outcomes over mere outputs.