Agile in Hardware: Bringing Agile to Hardware Development – Insights from Microsoft, Apple, and More With John Collins   In this agile in hardware episode, John Collins dives deep into the practicalities, challenges, and rewards of integrating Agile methodologies in hardware engineering, drawing from his extensive experience at companies like Microsoft, Apple, and FlixBus. Collins offers actionable advice on adapting Agile frameworks to hardware environments, covering everything from psychological safety to coordinating across diverse teams with different goals and development cadences. For anyone looking to understand the nuances of Agile in a hardware setting, this episode is full of valuable insights.   Starting Out with Agile in Hardware Engineering   “When you’re in a leadership role, it’s not just about the process – it’s about creating an environment of safety where teams feel empowered to take risks and try new approaches.”   John Collins shares how he first started implementing Agile principles in hardware engineering, despite the challenges posed by larger organizations like Apple and Microsoft. He discusses the importance of psychological safety as a foundation for Agile success and reflects on the training needed to foster an Agile mindset among engineers used to traditional, linear development approaches.   “The Agile journey starts by influencing teams and creating an environment where everyone feels secure and motivated to try new things.”   Crafting an Agile Framework for Hardware   “Aligning software and hardware development isn’t about making them the same; it’s about finding the right synchronization points and respecting each team’s unique process.”   John explains his approach to choosing and adapting Agile frameworks for his teams, describing how he brought software and hardware workflows into alignment through careful planning and OKRs. He shares tips on setting frameworks like SAFe, Scrum, or custom Agile processes, ensuring that hardware and software teams coordinate effectively without stifling autonomy.   “Using shared goals like OKRs helps both hardware and software teams work together without losing their individual strengths.”   Key Differences Between Agile in Software and Hardware   “In hardware, there are fixed constraints and build cycles dictated by suppliers and physical limitations – Agile can adapt, but it takes patience.”   In this segment, John highlights the key differences in Agile application between software and hardware teams. He explains why skepticism can be a healthy part of the process, and how roles like the Agile coach help teams embrace new methodologies. John also emphasizes the importance of matching Agile coaches to team dynamics to ensure effective adoption.   “Every Agile coach and team is unique – finding the right match is essential to making Agile work in hardware.” Overcoming Challenges in Agile Hardware Development   “Hardware requires a structured approach with build schedules and physical constraints, which makes Agile’s flexibility more challenging to implement.”   John dives into the unique challenges of implementing Agile in hardware, especially around the rigidity of build cycles and long testing periods. He shares strategies for mitigating these constraints, like prioritizing issues by risk impact and using statistical models to allocate resources for destructive testing. This practical advice helps listeners understand the importance of adaptability within Agile for hardware.   “Leverage data from past builds to predict impact, prioritize risk, and optimize your testing and build resources.”   Resources for Adopting Agile in Hardware   John refers to the Management 3.0 training as a good foundation to prepare people for adopting Agile, and also combining Agile and Hardware.    About John Collins   John Collins is a former Senior Vice President of Engineering, known for driving strategic growth in large international teams across software and hardware. With a background in Electrical Engineering, he began his career as a hardware engineer at Microsoft, contributing to the development of Xbox consoles and HoloLens. At Apple, John worked as a program manager for battery development, and later advanced to engineering management in sectors such as mobility and sustainability in eCommerce across Europe. Holder of eight patents in AR, battery, and camera design, John is also the author of two influential books on engineering and leadership.   You can link with John Collins on LinkedIn.

Hassan Butt: How Great Product Owners Encourage Experimentation and Openness Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: Balancing Pressure and Transparency Hassan describes a great Product Owner (PO) as someone who can handle the pressures from stakeholders while maintaining transparency with the team. A great PO is open about the challenges but ensures that team members are not overwhelmed. They create space for experimentation, facilitate two-way communication, and know how to protect the team by saying “no” when needed. The Bad Product Owner: Bringing Pressure to the Team On the other hand, Hassan highlights an anti-pattern where a Product Owner brings external pressures into the team, causing stress and blame. A bad PO passes down the pressure they feel, which can create a toxic environment. Hassan advises using 3-amigo sessions to support the PO and suggests promoting open conversations that avoid blame and foster transparency. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Hassan Butt Hassan builds high-performing teams and unlocks their full potential in his current role as a Scrum Master for a UK FTSE100 Telco. He also serves as an Agile Coach and mentor, supporting others in their professional growth. Hassan is well-known on LinkedIn for sharing valuable content and insights with the Agile community. You can link with Hassan Butt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nohassagile/

Hassan Butt: How to Foster Leadership and Independence in Scrum Teams Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Hassan defines success for a Scrum Master as creating a team of leaders who support each other and work collaboratively. His goal is to make himself redundant by helping the team become self-sufficient. Hassan emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with team members, understanding their passions, and continually checking in to ensure personal growth. His ultimate measure of success is when team members grow into leadership roles themselves. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Simple, Contextual Retrospectives Hassan recommends using retrospective formats that suit the team's current context and culture. He highlights the value of keeping things simple when facilitating retrospectives, especially for teams from diverse backgrounds. Early in his career, he realized that fancy formats did not always work, but simple, straightforward retrospectives often led to the most productive conversations. Hassan reminds us that it's not about the format but about what the team needs in the moment. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Hassan Butt Hassan builds high-performing teams and unlocks their full potential in his current role as a Scrum Master for a UK FTSE100 Telco. He also serves as an Agile Coach and mentor, supporting others in their professional growth. Hassan is well-known on LinkedIn for sharing valuable content and insights with the Agile community. You can link with Hassan Butt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nohassagile/

Hassan Butt: Leading Change with Radical Candor, Building Organizational Openness Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Hassan shares his experience leading a change initiative through Radical Candor workshops. He noticed that people in the organization were hesitant to share ideas with leadership. By using the Radical Candor framework, Hassan encouraged openness and honest feedback. He shares practical tips, such as role-playing, embedding accountability, and using structured formats like Liberating Structures, to create a safe space for feedback and collaboration. Hassan emphasizes the importance of follow-ups and self-accountability to ensure lasting change. Self-reflection Question: How can you foster a culture of Radical Candor in your organization? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Hassan Butt Hassan builds high-performing teams and unlocks their full potential in his current role as a Scrum Master for a UK FTSE100 Telco. He also serves as an Agile Coach and mentor, supporting others in their professional growth. Hassan is well-known on LinkedIn for sharing valuable content and insights with the Agile community. You can link with Hassan Butt on LinkedIn.

Hassan Butt, a Scrum Master and Agile Coach for a UK FTSE100 Telco, shares his expertise on navigating team dynamics in hierarchical organizations. He recounts early experiences where seniority stifled communication, demonstrating how it harmed team cohesion. Hassan emphasizes the importance of listening to all voices, especially newcomers, to foster inclusivity and creativity. He recommends Lyssa Adkins' 'Coaching Agile Teams' for its insights on personal growth, which helped him combat imposter syndrome and improve team dynamics.

Hassan Butt: What I Learned from Failing My First Scrum Master Interview Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. In this episode, Hassan shares his personal story of failure and how it shaped his journey to becoming a successful Scrum Master. After a challenging first interview, where he felt driven by fear and failed to actively listen, Hassan decided to try again six months later. With newfound confidence and determination, he overcame his fears and landed the role that changed his life. Hassan’s story emphasizes the importance of persistence, active listening, and hunger for growth in the Scrum Master role. Self-reflection Question: What steps can you take to turn failure into a learning opportunity in your own career? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Hassan Butt Hassan builds high-performing teams and unlocks their full potential in his current role as a Scrum Master for a UK FTSE100 Telco. He also serves as an Agile Coach and mentor, supporting others in their professional growth. Hassan is well-known on LinkedIn for sharing valuable content and insights with the Agile community. You can link with Hassan Butt on LinkedIn.

BONUS: Unlocking the Secrets to Thriving Workplaces and Agile Leadership with Vasco Duarte In this insightful BONUS episode, Vasco Duarte is interviewed by Bill Fox for an episode on the Forward Thinking Workplaces Podcast. Vasco is a visionary leader in agile and lean software development. Vasco shares his revolutionary approach to fostering innovation, creating dynamic workplaces, and leading teams to success. His strategies are designed for leaders looking to elevate their organizations by focusing on people, purpose, and efficient work processes. Tune in for practical advice on how to unlock your team’s full potential and thrive in today’s fast-paced work environment. Creating Environments for Natural Innovation “Innovation is a natural human quality; it flourishes when you don't make an effort to prevent it.” Vasco emphasizes that innovation isn’t something leaders need to force. Instead, it happens organically when the right environment is in place. He encourages leaders to shift away from rigid structures and towards creating motivating spaces where creativity can thrive. By doing this, teams naturally become more innovative and solutions-driven. “The only way innovation does not happen naturally is if we make an effort to prevent it from happening.” Motivated Individuals: The Key to Project Success “Build your projects around motivated individuals and trust them to deliver their best.” Vasco highlights the importance of centering projects around motivated individuals, giving them the trust and support they need to succeed. According to him, leaders should focus on empowering people, unleashing their full potential. When teams feel trusted and valued, they bring more energy and creativity to their work. “If you trust people and give them the space to perform, they will achieve things you didn't expect.” The Power of Community and Purpose “Aligning purpose with autonomy and mastery leads to engaged and high-performing teams.” Drawing from Dan Pink’s model of autonomy, mastery, and purpose, Vasco stresses the role of community and clear purpose in building engaged teams. He explains how people are naturally motivated when they understand the purpose of their work and have the freedom to master their skills. This alignment creates a strong sense of belonging and shared goals within the team. “When people have a sense of community and purpose, they bring their best selves to work.” Defining Boundaries to Foster Innovation “Clear boundaries create a flexible framework where innovation can thrive.” Vasco believes that well-defined boundaries are essential to encouraging innovation. Far from being restrictive, these boundaries offer a structured yet flexible framework that helps teams feel secure while exploring new ideas. When teams know the limits but also have room to experiment, they perform better and innovate faster. “Boundaries are not barriers; they provide the structure that allows innovation to flow freely.” Streamlining Processes with "#NoEstimates" “Focus on delivering value efficiently by reducing waste in your processes.” One of Vasco's most transformative ideas is his “No Estimates” approach to software development, which encourages focusing on value and reducing waste. This method ensures that teams spend their time wisely, enhancing productivity without the guesswork of traditional estimations. It's all about respecting everyone's time and effort while delivering maximum value. “Stop wasting time on estimates and start focusing on delivering real value to your customers.” Leadership Aligned with Employee Purpose “Leaders must understand and align with the purposes of their employees to drive team success.” Vasco shares valuable leadership advice, urging leaders to connect with their team members on a deeper level. By understanding employees' individual purposes and goals, leaders can foster more meaningful and productive collaborations. Open communication is key to building cohesive, high-performing teams that are aligned with the organization's vision. “When leaders align with their team's personal goals, they unlock higher levels of performance and engagement.” Real-World Insights from Industry Practitioners “Learning from practitioners in the field brings fresh, actionable insights.” Through his podcast, Vasco shares real-world insights from a wide range of industry practitioners. These stories highlight different approaches and solutions that have been successfully applied in various sectors, providing listeners with diverse perspectives on innovation and agile leadership. “Every practitioner I speak with offers a unique lens on solving the challenges of modern work environments.” About Vasco Duarte Vasco Duarte is an agile thought leader, podcast host, and one of the pioneers behind the “#NoEstimates” movement. With years of experience in lean and agile software development, Vasco helps teams and organizations improve productivity, efficiency, and innovation through dynamic leadership and strategic processes. He is also the host of the Scrum Master Toolbox podcast, where he shares insights from industry practitioners on agile leadership, team dynamics, and efficient workflows. You can link with Vasco Duarte on LinkedIn.

Karla Merza: How Open Feedback Can Transform a Product Owner's Approach, And Help Agile Teams Succeed The Great Product Owner: The PO As A Facilitator For The Team Karla describes a Product Owner who was open to feedback and continuously sought collaboration with the Scrum Master and the team. This PO’s willingness to engage in discussions and act on feedback fostered a productive and collaborative environment. They consistently asked how they could better support the team, demonstrating empathy and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. The Bad Product Owner: When The PO Protects The Team Too Much! In contrast, Karla shares a story of a Product Owner who unintentionally held back the team by poorly writing epics and user stories. This PO tried to shield the developers from unnecessary involvement but ended up creating more confusion. Fortunately, they were open to feedback, and with coaching, they learned the importance of involving the team in discussions to avoid miscommunication. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Karla Merza Karla joins us from Romania. She is an Agile Professional with 10 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in empowering diverse teams and organizations worldwide. From optimizing Agile practices to enhancing tool usage, she is dedicated to expanding knowledge and driving efficiency in multicultural environments. You can link with Karla Merza on LinkedIn: Karla Merza LinkedIn

Karla Merza: Balancing Deadlines Commitments and Agile Team Well-Being as a Scrum Master Read the full Show Notes and search through the world’s largest audio library on Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Karla explains that a successful Scrum Master must balance the team's morale with delivery commitments. By adjusting her approach to meet the needs of a new team right before PI planning, Karla helped them take responsibility and deliver successfully. This example shows the importance of fostering both autonomy and accountability within teams. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Adjusting Retros to the Team's Mood Karla doesn’t have a go-to retrospective format but prefers to adapt the format based on the team’s vibe. She uses tools like Metro Retro to find suitable formats and checks in with the team’s mood before deciding how to proceed. For example, during stressful periods like release deadlines, Karla switches to lighter, surprise retrospectives to relieve stress and maintain engagement. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] 🔥In the ruthless world of fintech, success isn’t just about innovation—it’s about coaching!🔥 Angela thought she was just there to coach a team. But now, she’s caught in the middle of a corporate espionage drama that could make or break the future of digital banking. Can she help the team regain their mojo and outwit their rivals, or will the competition crush their ambitions? As alliances shift and the pressure builds, one thing becomes clear: this isn’t just about the product—it’s about the people. 🚨 Will Angela’s coaching be enough? Find out in Shift: From Product to People—the gripping story of high-stakes innovation and corporate intrigue. Buy Now on Amazon [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends] About Karla Merza Karla joins us from Romania and is an Agile Professional with 10 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in empowering diverse teams and organizations worldwide. From optimizing Agile practices to enhancing tool usage, she is dedicated to expanding knowledge and driving efficiency in multicultural environments. You can link with Karla Merza on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlamerza/

Karla Merza, an Agile professional with a decade of experience, shares her insights on transforming teams. She discusses using open-ended questions to foster honest communication and experimentation in Agile practices. Karla details a successful three-month initiative that improved team morale through collaboration and fun activities. Her focus on openness transformed misunderstandings into engaging dialogues, ultimately redefining team dynamics. Discover how effective communication can drive change and elevate team performance.