Scrum.org Community Podcast

In this special episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West sits down with Ken Schwaber, co-creator of Scrum, to celebrate 30 years since the initial introduction of Scrum at OOPSLA 1995, from which the paper, The Scrum Development Process was based.Ken reflects on the origins of Scrum, the cultural challenges faced during early adoption in large organizations, and the critical importance of transparency, honesty, and teamwork. He shares insights into how Scrum has influenced software development practices such as DevOps and continuous delivery, and offers his perspective on AI as a tool to support—rather than replace—human teams.From early pioneers to the modern evolution of Scrum, Ken shares stories, lessons, and hopes for the future: that Scrum will continue helping people and organizations achieve fulfillment, innovation, and success.Join us for a thoughtful, candid conversation with one of the foundational voices of Agile.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West is joined by Dr. Alan Brown—professor, executive advisor, and expert in AI and digital technologies—to explore how Agile teams can adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.Dr. Brown discusses the current state of AI adoption across industries and the need for thoughtful integration of AI into knowledge work. From model and prompt engineering to context and governance, he outlines the four key engineering disciplines that Scrum teams must understand. The conversation also highlights five critical pressure points organizations face—complexity, change management, alignment, value delivery, and people—and how Scrum can help teams respond to these challenges.Rather than replacing Agile, Dr. Brown argues, AI augments it—opening up new opportunities for delivering value, improving decision-making, and accelerating learning.Listen now to learn how to harness AI responsibly while staying true to Agile principles.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West and Dimitrios Dimitrelos, Business Agility Lead, Accenture Greece, PST, explore the powerful role incentives play in Agile transformations and the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM). Dimitris shares a striking story of QA teams inflating bug counts to meet performance metrics, highlighting how poorly designed incentives can undermine collaboration.They discuss strategies for balancing individual and team incentives, the limits of financial motivation, and how organizations can redesign performance management to support true Agile behaviors. Listen to learn practical insights for fostering collaboration, transparency, and sustainable motivation across your teams.Key Takeaways:How misaligned incentives can derail Agile transformationsBalancing individual vs. team incentives for collaborationUnderstanding motivation beyond money using Herzberg’s theoryPractical steps to redesign performance management systems

In this engaging discussion, Elaine Lin Hering, a skilled facilitator and author, and Ravi Verma, a Professional Scrum Trainer, delve into the intricate dynamics of workplace communication. They explore how silence can either stifle or enhance voices, emphasizing the role of leaders in fostering openness. Elaine breaks down the significance of strategic silence and designing inclusive meetings, while Ravi contrasts reactive and reflective decision-making. Together, they offer practical tips for creating environments where every voice is valued.

Ryan Brook, a Professional Scrum Trainer and director of OptiLearn, shares his insights on agile leadership. He emphasizes the importance of vision-setting and accountability in new Agile teams. Listeners learn strategies for rebuilding trust with traditional managers and overcoming complacency among team members. Ryan also discusses managing change without burnout, the significance of clear communication in understaffed teams, and offers advice for breaking into Scrum roles without a technical background. His coaching experience enriches practical discussions, making agility approachable.

Ruud Adriaans, a Product Owner focused on enhancing product ownership, is joined by Linus Wiggers, an AI strategist at Productowner.nl. They dive deep into how AI is reshaping the role of product owners, highlighting practical steps for integrating AI tools to boost efficiency. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mastering AI prompting and learning through hands-on experiences like hackathons. They stress the need for product owners to embrace technology proactively while balancing quality and strategy in their decision-making.

Mirko Kleiner, President of the Lean Agile Procurement Alliance and author of Lean Agile Procurement, joins Simon Reindl, a Professional Scrum Trainer and consultant, to tackle the integration of procurement in Agile practices. They discuss the clash between traditional procurement and Agile’s iterative nature, advocating for early engagement and transparency among teams. Highlighting the benefits of goal-oriented contracts and cross-functional collaboration, they provide insights on transforming procurement processes for better agility and improved outcomes.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Magdalena Firlit and Patricia Kong to explore the role of ethics in product management. They discuss why ethical frameworks matter, the impact of transparency and bias, and how ethical decision-making builds trust and resilience.Here is the link to the referenced white paper.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Darrell Fernandes to tackle questions from a recent webinar on the Agile Product Operating Model and incentives. Together, they explore how incentive models can either support or derail agility.They dig into real-world challenges like misaligned rewards, hero culture, and scaling with private equity influence—offering practical guidance on creating transparent, flexible, and outcome-focused incentives.Referenced webinar - APOM: Aligning Incentives with Value

How do you prove your value as a Scrum Master? What steps can you take as Scrum Master to coach your Product Owner? What are some ways to make Scrum Events more engaging? There is a lot to navigate within the Scrum Master Accountability. PST Bart Versteegen recently answered some burning listener questions about the Scrum Master Accountability. Tune in for great insights!