Scrum.org Community Podcast

In this Ask a PST session, Professional Scrum Trainer Mary Iqbal answers questions around the principles of Agile Leadership, offering actionable insights for fostering collaboration, enabling self-managing teams, and driving organizational success in a fast-paced, complex world.

In part two of this portfolio management Q&A, Dave West, Yuval Yeret, and Darrell Fernandes tackle the complexities of funding products vs. teams, especially in nonprofits. They explore shifting from work-based to product-based funding, managing technical debt vs. product roadmap progress, and aligning business and technology goals. The discussion highlights the role of initiative owners, evidence-based management, and finance partnerships in driving effective portfolio decisions. They also explore the concept of working cross-product. Tune in for insights on creating a more sustainable and impact-driven portfolio strategy. 

Yuval Yeret, a Professional Scrum Trainer specializing in Agile product portfolio management, and Darrell Fernandes, an executive advisor and former CIO with deep experience in product thinking, delve into the intricacies of managing Agile portfolios. They discuss the significance of visualizing work, prioritizing investments through cost of delay, and the impact of quarterly business reviews. Key topics include structured funding strategies, adapting to market changes, and the essential role of effective discovery in product management.

In this Ask a Professional Scrum Trainer episode, Patricia Kong moderates a discussion with Simon Flossmann and Stas Pavlov tackling listener questions on the challenges of Product Backlog Management. They explore techniques for prioritization, balancing technical debt, and improving transparency with stakeholders. From leveraging the Kano model and Magic estimation to using tools like Miro and Monte Carlo simulations for forecasting, they provide actionable insights to help teams refine their backlog effectively. Tune in for expert advice on optimizing backlog management for better product outcomes!

In this Scrum.org Community Podcast episode, our host Dave West speaks with Bilal Alawiye, Agile Coach Lead at Sanofi’s Accelerator, and Stephen Sykes, co-founder of Scrum Match. Bilal shares how Sanofi’s Accelerator transformed its approach to Scrum Mastery. The discussion highlights challenges like mechanical Scrum and the evolving role of Scrum Masters in fostering a product-focused culture, making their contributions transparent, and addressing business complexities. They explore how Sanofi’s Accelerator partnered with Scrum Match to enhance Scrum Master recruitment, emphasizing the importance of domain knowledge, product orientation, and value delivery. View written case study

Ryan Brook and Sander Dur, co-authors of 'Solving for Value: A Journey of Ambition and Stupidity,' dive into the world of Scrum and agility. They discuss prioritizing value over process, the significance of self-management, and tackling common anti-patterns that stifle progress. Listeners will learn about the pitfalls of scaling organizations without a solid foundation and the need for flexible roadmap strategies. With humor and empathy, they reveal insights from their unique dual-format book that blends narrative and practical guidance.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Omar Ahmed, a Scrum Master from the UK, shares his inspiring journey from a mechanical engineering background to becoming a Scrum Master. Starting in a defense company with a waterfall-driven culture, Omar recounts how a pivotal encounter during a continuous improvement course introduced him to Scrum.Omar dives into the challenges of transitioning to agile practices, emphasizing the critical roles of team empowerment, psychological safety, and staying true to personal values. He reflects on balancing career aspirations with serving his team and offers valuable advice for new Scrum Masters, including the importance of resilience, networking, and leading organizational change.Omar also discusses his current role in a defense and aerospace organization undergoing a top-down agile transformation, showcasing the impact of strong leadership support. Tune in for insights, lessons, and encouragement for navigating the rewarding path of a Scrum Master.

In this episode of Scrum Master Real Talk, host Dave West chats with Jim Sparks, a Scrum Master from Dayton, Ohio, about his accidental journey into agility. Jim shares how he discovered a passion for servant leadership, the evolution of his role toward delivery accountability, and how he tackles challenges like leading without authority and overcoming resistance to Scrum—especially in government and cybersecurity contexts.Jim’s advice for Scrum Masters is simple yet profound: never stop learning, build strong networks, and approach the accountability with humility and fun. Tune in to hear Jim’s inspiring story, actionable tips, and insights on balancing servant leadership with delivery focus.

Dave West, CEO of Scrum.org and a seasoned expert in product definition, shares his insights on transitioning organizations to a product model. He highlights the challenges encountered in moving towards a product-oriented approach and discusses the complexities of digital product landscapes. West emphasizes AI's transformative role in product management, envisioning it as a co-pilot for teams. He also stresses the importance of agile leadership in fostering user-centric practices and adapting traditional approaches to enhance value delivery.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Andreas Whitla, a Scrum Master from Germany, shares his inspiring journey from transforming an economically troubled hospital with Agile principles to working with diverse organizations across the globe.Andreas reflects on key lessons for Scrum Masters, including:Balancing learning with delivery to foster team growth.Navigating cultural differences and managing conflicts effectively.Leveraging tools from unexpected fields, like couples therapy, to enhance team dynamics.He also offers actionable advice for new Scrum Masters, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge, recognizing team strengths, and creating a personal backlog for continuous improvement.Tune in for an engaging conversation on the creative and impactful aspects of Scrum Mastery!