
Troubleshooting Agile
Troubleshooting Agile is a problem-solving session for agile teams. Jeffrey Fredrick and Douglas Squirrel look at common problems agile teams face and provide practical, immediately useful advice for getting back on track.
Latest episodes

Mar 20, 2024 • 15min
The Agile Software
Explore the misconception of 'being agile' as adopting Jira, and the need for using the right tools in uncertain environments. Delve into navigating complexity in decision-making, challenging beliefs with scientific thinking in software development, and embracing uncertainty in agile practices. Discover the evolution of agile software and the importance of flexibility in problem-solving approaches.

8 snips
Mar 13, 2024 • 14min
(De)Centralisation Dilemmas
Explore the centralisation and decentralisation dilemma in tech, highlighting the importance of adapting structures to changing terrain. Discuss database management evolution, pioneer-settler strategies, worldly mapping, and customer experimentation in tech innovation.

9 snips
Mar 6, 2024 • 34min
The Async-First Playbook
Explore transitioning to asynchronous agile work, optimizing team communication across time zones, challenges of virtual standups, and embracing asynchronous communication for distributed teams. Learn from author Sumeet Moghe on how async-first practices can enhance productivity and deep work in software development.

4 snips
Feb 28, 2024 • 22min
Classic Blunders
Get insights into demanding features right after completion, Kent Beck's influence, classic software design blunders, balancing speed with quality in feature delivery, and principles for system maintenance. Join Squirrel and Jeffrey for an engaging discussion on Agile methodologies and improving organizational culture.

Feb 21, 2024 • 24min
Greatest Hits: Learning Loops
This week on Troubleshooting Agile, we bring you a bumper edition of 2022’s Summer Shorts - Learning Loops. Taking iterative development to heart, Squirrel and Jeffrey discuss six learning loop topics in less than five minutes each.
Join us to learn about:
- Basic daily learning loops
- Weekly planning
- Elephant Carpaccio
- Walking the board
- Retrospectives
- OKRs
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Order your copy of our book, Agile Conversations at agileconversations.com
Plus, get access to a free mini training video about the technique of Coherence Building when you join our mailing list.
We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show.
Email us at info@agileconversations.com
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About Your Hosts
Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick first met while working together at TIM group in 2013. A decade later, they remain united in their passion for growing organisations through better conversations.
Squirrel is an advisor, author, keynote speaker, coach, and consultant, helping companies of all sizes make huge, profitable improvements in their culture, skills, and processes.
You can find out more about his work here: https://douglassquirrel.com/index.html
Jeffrey is Vice President of Engineering at ION Analytics, Organiser at CITCON, the Continuous Integration and Testing Conference, author and speaker.
You can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfredrick/

Feb 14, 2024 • 22min
No Vehicles in the Park
"Scope" and "requirements" for software rely on a common understanding of basic concepts like "vehicles" or "names" but humans have no idea how to nail down those ideas. Join your host Squirrel and Jeffrey to find out why, and what to do about it, on this episode of Troubleshooting Agile.
Links:
- No Vehicles in the Park game: https://novehiclesinthepark.com
- Keith Braithwaite: https://twitter.com/keithb_b
- The Big Book of Concepts: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262632997/the-big-book-of-concepts/
- Falsehoods programmers believe about names: https://www.kalzumeus.com/2010/06/17/falsehoods-programmers-believe-about-names/
- Cynefin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_framework
- Domain Driven Design and ubiquitous language: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain-driven_design
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Order your copy of our book, Agile Conversations at agileconversations.com
Plus, get access to a free mini training video about the technique of Coherence Building when you join our mailing list.
We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show.
Email us at info@agileconversations.com
--------------------------------------------------
About Your Hosts
Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick first met while working together at TIM group in 2013. A decade later, they remain united in their passion for growing organisations through better conversations.
Squirrel is an advisor, author, keynote speaker, coach, and consultant, helping companies of all sizes make huge, profitable improvements in their culture, skills, and processes.
You can find out more about his work here: https://douglassquirrel.com/index.html
Jeffrey is Vice President of Engineering at ION Analytics, Organiser at CITCON, the Continuous Integration and Testing Conference, author and speaker.
You can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfredrick/

Feb 7, 2024 • 23min
Tindallgrams
Explore the significance of Tindelgrams in decision-making during the Apollo program. Learn about Architectural Decision Records and their role in capturing project complexities. Discover MIT's uncertainties in aerospace technology implementation. Understand the importance of recording disagreements for effective decision-making. Dive into Tindall grams and their impact on team alignment and communication.

Jan 31, 2024 • 27min
Teal Data Science
How can your organisation be simultaneously fast and collaborative? Foster willingness to fail successfully and collaboratively, while applying strong leadership and accountability. Find out why and how on this episode of Troubleshooting Agile with your hosts, Squirrel and Jeffrey.
Links:
- Teal Organisations book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinventing_Organizations
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Order your copy of our book, Agile Conversations at agileconversations.com
Plus, get access to a free mini training video about the technique of Coherence Building when you join our mailing list.
We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show.
Email us at info@agileconversations.com
--------------------------------------------------
About Your Hosts
Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick first met while working together at TIM group in 2013. A decade later, they remain united in their passion for growing organisations through better conversations.
Squirrel is an advisor, author, keynote speaker, coach, and consultant, helping companies of all sizes make huge, profitable improvements in their culture, skills, and processes.
You can find out more about his work here: https://douglassquirrel.com/index.html
Jeffrey is Vice President of Engineering at ION Analytics, Organiser at CITCON, the Continuous Integration and Testing Conference, author and speaker.
You can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfredrick/

Jan 24, 2024 • 14min
One- and Two-Way Doors
Discover the value of two-way doors and reversible decisions in risk-averse organizations. Learn about the concept of one-way and two-way doors in decision-making, with strategies for simplifying the process of undoing changes. Find out how the concept can be applied technically and socially, with examples from Microsoft. Explore the importance of challenging scar tissue and conservative approaches in organizations and embracing an experimental mindset.

Jan 17, 2024 • 20min
Practical Slowification
You know investing in skills or tech advancements will speed you up, but how to make it happen? Convincing your boss is all kinds of wrong! On this week’s episode of Troubleshooting Agile we discuss why and what works better, with your hosts Squirrel and Jeffrey.
Links:
- Gene Kim, Wiring the Winning Organization: https://myresources.itrevolution.com/id006657164/Wiring-the-Winning-Organization
- Slowification episode: https://soundcloud.com/troubleshootingagile/gene-kim-on-winning-organisations-part-ii-slowification
- Trust Conversation: https://itrevolution.com/articles/trust-and-test-driven-development-for-people/
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Order your copy of our book, Agile Conversations at agileconversations.com
Plus, get access to a free mini training video about the technique of Coherence Building when you join our mailing list.
We'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show.
Email us at info@agileconversations.com
--------------------------------------------------
About Your Hosts
Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick first met while working together at TIM group in 2013. A decade later, they remain united in their passion for growing organisations through better conversations.
Squirrel is an advisor, author, keynote speaker, coach, and consultant, helping companies of all sizes make huge, profitable improvements in their culture, skills, and processes.
You can find out more about his work here: https://douglassquirrel.com/index.html
Jeffrey is Vice President of Engineering at ION Analytics, Organiser at CITCON, the Continuous Integration and Testing Conference, author and speaker.
You can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfredrick/