Last we talked, I was arguing that if estimates are supposed to be accurate, we’d call them actuals. That’s not to say that estimates are meaningless. When used appropriately, they’re valuable and serve an important purpose. Instead, my point was this: Estimates are about mathematics. Expectations are about human connection. That difference matters. Speaking of …
Introducing Conditions of Satisfaction to a Team Read More »
Almost everyone agreed that we need to get better at estimation. I heard this recently from a team. It’s not the first time, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Teams struggle with estimates; others needlessly obsess over it. And while I agree with the sentiment, it’s true but useless. It’s unactionable. In order …
If Estimates Were Accurate, We’d Call Them Actuals Read More »
I’ve written before about how a Scrum Master can begin working with a new team, and lately I’ve been experimenting with a new technique. I won’t rehash what I’ve written already, but it’s important to understand that my previous advice still applies: When you’re not terribly smart, it helps to be a good listener. Jerry …
A Scrum Master’s Guide to Working With a New Team Read More »
TL; DR: They’re more similar than many realize, and I think it matters. I get it why designers and devs feel they belong in different camps though. I just think they’re mistaken, and I suspect the myth began because of one obvious difference: Anyone can look at a design and offer an opinion, but it …
Are Designers and Developers Really All That Different? Read More »
I’m difficult but with purpose. I’ve said this about myself on numerous occasions, and I’m sure many of the bosses I’ve had over the years had a hell of a time managing me. Then again, like Grace Hopper said: You manage things. You lead people. And it’s not that I’m trying to be difficult. I …
I’ve been mentoring a group of young Scrum Masters for the last seven months, and recently one of them asked me a question: How do I foster trust within my team? Immediately, two thoughts came to mind: But why? Whether family, friends, or colleagues, we’re surrounded by people most times of the day, and our …
Who here just started a new job? Or maybe you’re about to start a new job? This is the situation I recently faced. It’s stressful, and it was important to me that I make a strong, lasting, and positive first impression. In fact, let’s talk about that today, but before we do, I’d like to …
Let’s try something different today. I’d like to tell you a story. To do it justice, I won’t write about it. Instead, I’ll share a video where I told this story to an agile group here in Silicon Valley, and it began as I wrestled with several questions: Can data help our teams improve? …
Several weeks ago, I wrote about what to look for in a good Scrum Master, and today, I’d like to have a similar discussion about the team. More specifically, let’s talk about what makes for a high-performing team. It’s a common term, and it conjures up different images for different people. If someone were to …
When a Scrum Master joins a team, there’s so much to do. It’s daunting and sometimes a bit overwhelming. We have so many questions! Where’s the team need our help? Are they entrenched in how they operate or open to change? How do they interact with each other? How receptive are they to me, their …
