Scrum.org Community Podcast

Brodie Green, Director of Agile Delivery Services at Pegasystems, who has guided large-scale agile across global product orgs. He recounts Pega’s multi-decade agile evolution and the shift to hybrid models. They cover moving to six-week continuous planning, rebranding Scrum Masters as Agile Delivery Leads, shortening feedback loops across portfolios, and using AI to amplify teams.

In this Q&A episode, Eric Naiburg, COO of Scrum.org, is joined by Darrell Fernandes, Executive Advisor at Scrum.org to explore how AI is showing up in Scrum Teams today—and what it really takes to make it valuable.Drawing from questions raised during a recent webinar: Managing Your AI Teammate: Turning AI from Experiment to Strategic Partner, they discuss practical ways teams are using AI as a research assistant, DevOps helper, and development aid. They emphasize why Scrum’s iterative mindset is critical for working with AI, especially given how quickly models, capabilities, and limitations evolve.The conversation tackles common misconceptions about AI replacing people, the importance of validating AI outputs, and why teams should consider writing a “job description” for AI to clearly define expectations, measures of success, and accountability. Eric and Darrell also explore how AI may automate some work while creating entirely new roles and opportunities for professionals.This is Part 1 of an ongoing conversation focused on helping Scrum Teams thoughtfully integrate AI while staying grounded in empiricism, collaboration, and value delivery.Key LearningsWhy there is no single model for integrating AI into Scrum—and why experimentation mattersHow Scrum’s inspect-and-adapt mindset applies directly to AI usagePractical examples of AI as a research assistant, DevOps helper, and development toolWhy teams must validate AI outputs to manage bias, accuracy, and complianceHow defining a job description for AI helps measure effectiveness and valuWhy AI is better viewed as a teammate or tool, not a replacement for peopleHow AI may eliminate some tasks while creating new roles and opportunitiesLinksWebinar - Managing Your AI Teammate: Turning AI from Experiment to Strategic PartnerWhitepaper - The AI Teammate Framework: A Four-Step Framework for Product Teams

Nabila Sattar Safdar, a Professional Scrum Trainer and expert in product portfolio management, shares her journey of transforming chaotic project environments into streamlined, value-driven strategies. She discusses successfully reducing a bloated portfolio from over 100 projects to just 30 strategic initiatives. Nabila emphasizes the importance of aligning teams with value streams, leveraging data for decision-making, and reserving team capacity for continuous learning. Her insights highlight how effective collaboration with leadership enhances organizational agility and focus on outcomes.

Sander Dur, a Professional Scrum Trainer and founder of OptiLearn, teams up with Ryan Brook, a product consultant and author, to delve into their new book inspired by the anatomy of products. They explore the concept of treating products as living systems and highlight common pitfalls like 'marshmallow backlogs.' Sander shares lessons from working with Miro, while Ryan emphasizes practical tips for product teams, including validating ideas early and maintaining product health. This insightful discussion encourages continuous adaptation in product management.

Robb Pieper, a Professional Scrum Trainer and consultant, and Jason Malmstadt, a former software developer and current Scrum Trainer, dive into the power of self-management in teams. They discuss practical strategies for earning management support and handling disruptions within teams. With insights on decision-making tools like Delegation Poker and the importance of psychological safety, they emphasize how autonomy enhances product quality and business outcomes. Their anecdotes and guidance inspire both new and experienced Scrum practitioners to foster effective self-managed teams.

In this Scrum.org Community Podcast episode, host Dave West speaks with Nathaniel Davis, CEO of Barrel One Collective, and PST Yuval Yeret about applying Agile principles beyond software — into the heart of business operations.Nathaniel shares his journey from working in a large brewing company to leading Barrel One Collective, a brewing group where he’s working to make Agile the foundation for innovation and entrepreneurialism. Together, they explore how Agile thinking can balance experimentation and consistency, drive outcome-oriented leadership, and shape company culture as a product.Tune in to hear how organizations can expand their definition of “product” — from beverages to behaviors — and how agility helps leaders continuously learn, adapt, and deliver value.

In this episode, Dave West sits down with Darrell Fernandes, executive advisor at Scrum.org to explore the The AI Teammate Framework: A Four-Step Framework for Product Teams, featured in a new whitepaper. They discuss how to treat AI like a true teammate—onboarding it with context, guiding interactions through user stories, and establishing governance to manage performance.Darrell emphasizes the importance of structured AI adoption, comparing it to onboarding human team members, and highlights how a disciplined approach can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and even protect jobs. From writing AI job descriptions to building prompt libraries and governance strategies, this episode offers actionable insights for teams navigating the evolving AI landscape.Listen now to learn how to bring AI onboard as a true teammate.For more, there is a live webcast coming up next week that will also be available as a recording. Learn more. Topics covered:Introduction to the AI Teammate FrameworkWhy a framework?The need for a structured, holistic approach to AI in teamsAI as a Team MemberTreating AI like a teammate rather than a toolThe importance of onboarding and providing contextComparing AI onboarding to human onboardingThe Four Steps of the FrameworkIdentify AI’s Role – defining the problem and writing an AI “job description”Onboard with Context Management – giving AI access to product, customer, and process contextInteract Using User Stories – structuring collaboration through clear, outcome-based interactionsGovernance and Performance Management – ensuring accountability, compliance, and efficiencyChallenges of Working with AIContext management and maintaining prompt librariesBalancing AI experimentation with structureCost, scalability, and efficiency concernsLessons from the Early Days of Cloud ComputingParallels between the AI adoption curve and cloud evolutionThe shift from unregulated enthusiasm to disciplined governanceFuture of AI in Product TeamsThe importance of a disciplined, thoughtful approachHow structured AI collaboration can enhance — not replace — human workActionable Next Steps for TeamsRead the white paperAssess current onboarding and management practicesApply the four-step framework to integrate AI effectively

On this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West welcomes Professional Scrum Trainer Bogdan Onyshchenko to explore the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM). They discuss how APOM offers a holistic, principle-based approach for product organizations—going beyond Scrum to address team motivation, vendor management, strategic decision-making, and more.Bogdan shares insights on the importance of transparency, frequent delivery, and self-organization. The episode also gets into balancing prescriptive advice with flexible principles, understanding the “why” behind agile practices, and using APOM as a practical tool for improving outcomes and value delivery.Listeners will gain practical guidance on applying APOM in their own organizations and learn how this evolving model continues to support teams and leaders in delivering value effectively.Learn more about APOM. Topics covered:Defining the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM)Practical Applications of APOMBalancing Prescriptive and Principle-Based ApproachesThe Importance of Understanding the "Why"Operating Models vs. Frameworks

In an engaging discussion, Yuval Yeret, a Professional Scrum Trainer and expert in scaling SMBs, joins Dave West to explore the intricate challenges of growth. They dissect why scaling often slows organizations down, addressing common pitfalls like bureaucracy and leadership limits. Yuval emphasizes the need for cross-functional teams and a robust operating system to foster agility. They discuss aligning teams with customer segments and focus on measurable outcomes rather than activity goals. Insights on balancing priorities and making tough decisions round out their practical advice for sustainable growth.

AI is forcing organizations to rethink how they operate. In this insightful conversation, Dave West and Yuval Yeret discuss the emerging need for a new organizational “operating system” that integrates AI into strategy, structure, and execution. They highlight the role of product thinking, OKRs, and continuous improvement in turning AI from hype into real business value.