Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile storytelling from the trenches
Vasco Duarte, Agile Coach, Certified Scrum Master, Certified Product Owner
Every week day, Certified Scrum Master, Agile Coach and business consultant Vasco Duarte interviews Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches from all over the world to get you actionable advice, new tips and tricks, improve your craft as a Scrum Master with daily doses of inspiring conversations with Scrum Masters from the all over the world. Stay tuned for BONUS episodes when we interview Agile gurus and other thought leaders in the business space to bring you the Agile Business perspective you need to succeed as a Scrum Master.
Some of the topics we discuss include: Agile Business, Agile Strategy, Retrospectives, Team motivation, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Backlog Refinement, Scaling Scrum, Lean Startup, Test Driven Development (TDD), Behavior Driven Development (BDD), Paper Prototyping, QA in Scrum, the role of agile managers, servant leadership, agile coaching, and more!
Some of the topics we discuss include: Agile Business, Agile Strategy, Retrospectives, Team motivation, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Backlog Refinement, Scaling Scrum, Lean Startup, Test Driven Development (TDD), Behavior Driven Development (BDD), Paper Prototyping, QA in Scrum, the role of agile managers, servant leadership, agile coaching, and more!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 16, 2025 ā¢ 17min
When Individual Performance Metrics Block Agile Transformation | Richard
Richard Brenner, a versatile technology leader, shares his insights on Agile transformation and the obstacles it faces. He recounts a significant experience where individual performance metrics clashed with Agile principles, creating resistance within teams. Richard illustrates how a pilot program focused on team-oriented metrics led to collaboration and accountability among team members. He emphasizes the importance of empowering teams during retrospectives and transforming initial skeptics into advocates for change, ultimately enhancing Agile adoption.
Apr 15, 2025 ā¢ 16min
How Small Signs of Cynicism Can Destroy Agile Team Cohesion | Richard
Richard Brenner, a seasoned technology leader and Agile Coach, discusses the dangers of cynicism in Agile teams. He shares a revealing story of dysfunction starting from a seemingly minor cynical comment during a retrospective. Richard emphasizes how small negative behaviors, like tardiness, can destroy team cohesion. He advocates for early conflict resolution protocols and encourages open feedback to address underlying issues before they escalate. A self-reflection question prompts listeners to consider harmful signals they might be ignoring in their own teams.
Apr 14, 2025 ā¢ 22min
Skipping the Vision, How Not to Introduce Kanban To An Agile Organization | Richard
Richard Brenner, a versatile technology leader and Agile Coach, shares his insights on introducing Kanban. He discusses the pitfalls of a top-down approach without a clear organizational vision, leading to resistance from team members. Richard emphasizes understanding the problem before implementing new methodologies and the importance of defining success. He also highlights the necessity of involving team members early in the change process and conducting thorough assessments with client organizations to align goals and foster acceptance.
8 snips
Apr 11, 2025 ā¢ 52min
BONUS NVC, Walking Towards Conflict with Love | Maria Arpa and Bob Marshall
Maria Arpa, a mediator and creator of the Dialogue Road Map, teams up with Bob Marshall, an organizational psychotherapist, to discuss Nonviolent Communication (NVC). They explore how NVC transforms conflict into understanding, emphasizing empathy over fear. The pair highlight the contrast between dominating cultures and the empowerment NVC brings, fostering authentic connections. They share insights on improving workplace communication, recognizing individual needs, and the importance of creating a collaborative atmosphere that values emotional health.
Apr 10, 2025 ā¢ 42min
BONUS The End of Product Management? Three Experts Reveal the Unstoppable Rise of Product Engineers | Anton Zaides, Rafa Paez, and Max Piechota
Join Anton Zaides, Rafa Paez, and Max Piechota as they explore the evolution of software engineers into product engineers. Max emphasizes the need for engineers to understand business metrics, while Rafa discusses taking ownership of outcomes. Anton provocatively questions the traditional product management model, advocating for greater collaboration between engineers and product visionaries. This insightful conversation showcases how embracing customer empathy and market understanding can significantly enhance product development.
Apr 9, 2025 ā¢ 42min
BONUS Keeping Backlogs Lean With The Now-Next-Later-Never Roadmap Framework | Kent McDonald
Kent McDonald, a seasoned product management expert with decades in software development, delves into effective backlog management. He discusses the pitfalls of bloated backlogs, stressing that many teams mistakenly view them as storage. Kent introduces the Now-Next-Later-Never roadmap framework, explaining how it organizes tasks for better efficiency. He shares practical strategies to keep backlogs lean and focused on what truly drives outcomes, along with advice on maintaining roadmap integrity to adapt to changing priorities.
Apr 8, 2025 ā¢ 45min
BONUS Team Effectiveness With Arne Roock
In this discussion, Agile consultant Arne Roock shares his expertise on team effectiveness, emphasizing that assembling talented individuals does not guarantee high performance. He illustrates the importance of team cohesion using examples from ice hockey. Arne challenges the myth of individual talent and advocates for a balanced approach to team design, suggesting that leaders should spend more time on creating strong team foundations. He also highlights strategies to foster shared ownership and improve dynamics in Agile environments.
Apr 7, 2025 ā¢ 48min
CTO Series: The Anti-Scaling Paradox: Why and When a CTO Should Refuse to Grow His Team | Markus Hjort
In this engaging discussion, Markus Hjort, Co-founder and CTO of Bitmagic with over 20 years in software development, shares his insights on tech leadership and team dynamics. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive outlook during challenges and the value of realistic project estimates, reflecting on a pivotal experience that taught him this lesson. Hjort also explores how AI is revolutionizing game development and stresses the alignment of tech strategies with business goals, ensuring that innovation meets practical demands.
Apr 5, 2025 ā¢ 43min
BONUS X-Matrix and Obeya: How to Make Strategy Visible and Actionable for Everyone | Jim Benson and Karl Scotland
In this enlightening discussion, Jim Benson, renowned for his work on Personal Kanban, teams up with Karl Scotland, the mastermind behind the X-Matrix. They dive into innovative frameworks that make strategic alignment clear and engaging. Jim reflects on the disconnect between transformation efforts and business outcomes, while Karl showcases how the X-Matrix visualizes true north, strategies, and tactics on one page. Together, they champion a collaborative approach to agility, ensuring teams understand their roles in achieving organizational success.
Apr 4, 2025 ā¢ 18min
How Feedback Transforms Product Owners | Zvonimir Durcevic
Zvonimir Durcevic, an Agile product development expert, shares his insights on the transformative power of feedback for Product Owners. He highlights a case study of a Product Owner who thrived by adapting to team feedback and engaging more closely with their team. Zvonimir contrasts this with a less effective Product Owner who resisted core duties despite their expertise. The discussion emphasizes the importance of open communication and embracing change in Agile practices, as well as the upcoming Global Agile Summit, which will explore innovative Agile methodologies.
