Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software

#65: Unlocking Lean Portfolio Management with Randy Hale

Join Brian and his guest Randy Hale as they delve into the world of Lean Portfolio Management to drive Agile transformations and make informed decisions for greater business success.
Overview
In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Agile Transformation Coach Randy Hale to discuss Lean Portfolio Management.
Listen in as they explore strategies for navigating organizational culture, redefining metrics, and addressing uncertainty to make informed business decisions and drive successful Agile transformations.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:18] - Brian Milner welcomes Randy Hale of Agile Velocity to the Agile Mentors podcast to discuss Lean Portfolio Management.
[02:40] - Randy shares the definition of Lean Portfolio Management.
[04:07] - The first steps to implement Lean Portfolio Management.
[06:41] - How to engage finance and accounting teams in the conversations and emphasize optimizing value delivery.
[09:35] - What's broken with traditional budgeting?
[10:15] - How Lean Portfolio Management helps organizations more easily align with customer needs and adapt to swiftly changing market conditions.
[11:56] - Why traditional budgeting processes often lead to delays in responding to unexpected changes.
[14:15] - How cultural factors can hinder an organization's adaptation to changing circumstances.
[14:30] - Mountain Goat Software has designed the best training to help you stand out in the market. With live interactive courses and a mixture of lecture time and frequent breakout rooms to keep you engaged every second you're learning. All their courses are designed to give you the skills that agile teams and organizations value. For more information and the class schedule visit Mountain Goat Software today.
[16:19] - The key components in Lean Portfolio Management.
[18:34] - The value of early detection for proactive responses.
[19:31] - Randy discusses the impact of organizational culture on transformation efforts and the importance of adapting processes within a compliance-based culture.
[21:26] - Brian and Randy discuss the challenge of selecting meaningful metrics for effective decision-making.
[24:48] - Randy highlights the importance of addressing uncertainty and focusing on critical factors using a scenario where a projected $5 million in revenue failed to meet expectations due to unvalidated assumptions.
[25:21] - Brian discusses the common-sense principle that the further you are from a future event, the less precise your predictions can be.
[26:29] - The million-dollar point of the conversation.
[27:01] - The default way of tracking things that is disconnected from reality and the real value of what you deliver.
[28:57] - You can connect with Randy at Agile Velocity or via LinkedIn.
[30:32] - Don’t forget to subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com.
[31:04] - For further discussion about Lean Portfolio Management or any other topic on the Agile Mentors Podcast join the Agile Mentors Community.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
#17: Getting There From Here: Agile Transformations with David Hawks
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Randy Hale is an Agile Transformation Coach with over a decade of experience guiding companies through Agile transformations. Randy's hands-on knowledge and training have helped businesses of all sizes embrace Agile and Lean thinking for greater success including Fortune 500 companies like Nike, Petco, and Charter Communications.

#64: How Agile Methodologies are Reshaping Legal Practices with John Grant

Join Brian and his guest John Grant as they unveil how Agile methodologies are revolutionizing legal practices for improved client experiences and smarter workflow efficiency.
Overview
In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with John Grant to discuss using Agile methodologies and client-focused strategies in the legal profession. Listen in as John shares his unique perspective and innovative approach for reshaping legal workflows and enhancing client communication at the intersection of law and Agile practices.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:00] - Brian introduces the podcast and guest, John Grant, a lawyer using Agile in the legal space.
[01:19] - How legal use of Agile differs from other fields.
[02:06] - John shares how clarity in communication is a challenge in legal work, similar to other fields.
[03:00] - Brian compares legal work to building websites.
[03:43] - John differentiates between "sheet music" (standardized work) and "jazz solos" (unique cases) in legal practice.
[05:16] - The challenges of a high demand for legal services and a shortage of lawyers and how to ensure quality.
[08:23] - John explains why the Kanban method is well-suited for legal practices.
[09:27] - How to avoid overloading capacity and prioritize effectively.
[11:39] - How the principles of Agile, Lean, and other methodologies, along with a focus on client value, are crucial even outside software development.
[12:09] - The tendency to devalue the client's role in legal matters and the challenge of balancing technical work and customer care.
[12:31] - The role of lawyers and discerning what clients genuinely want from legal services.
[12:49] - The law is fundamentally a caregiving profession: John emphasizes the importance of caregiving and customer support in the legal profession.
[13:31] - The need for effective communication and collaboration.
[15:00] - John shares a case study involving a law firm specializing in estate planning and trust administration.
[15:47] - John explains the creation of a multi-step client journey roadmap in the introduction letter, setting the tone for the client journey.
[17:30] - The unique role of clients in legal work and how they contribute vital information to the legal team.
[18:48] - This podcast is sponsored by Mountain Goat Software’s Certified Scrum Training classes. All certified classes include a twelve-month membership in the Agile Mentors Community.
[19:36] - Brian draws parallels between capturing customer attitudes and feelings in personas in Certified Scrum Product Owner® classes and the importance of understanding clients' emotions in legal work.
[20:21] - Daniel Katz's breakdown of clients seeking legal help to either mitigate risk or navigate complexity, and how this helps tailor the client journey.
[21:35] - The frequent client complaint in the legal field.
[23:09] - John explains how mapping workflows to the client journey introduces the concept of classes of service and enables smarter prioritization of work based on its urgency and importance.
[23:32] - The key Agile concepts applied in the legal context: focusing on the customer, limiting work in progress, understanding customer journeys, and making work visible.
[23:53] - Humans are naturally inclined to process information visually and the significance of visualizing work in knowledge work environments.
[25:00] - The scalability of Kanban in law firms.
[28:31] - John introduces the concept of the "help desk theory of lawyering," comparing lawyers' support roles to IT help desks and how Kanban systems can aid communication with clients.
[31:22] - For more information on John’s Kanban training visit Agile Attorney.
[32:00] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you have feedback or ideas for the show, just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com.
[33:24] - For further discussion join the Agile Mentors Community where we discuss each podcast episode.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Agile Attorney
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
John Grant is a fourth-generation lawyer with a background spanning both technology and law. Drawing from his experience in the tech industry and legal sector, he offers a unique perspective on legal practice. He's passionate about facilitating positive change in legal practices and using the Kanban methodology to help legal teams unlock their full potential.

#63: The Interplay Between Data Science and Agile with Lance Dacy

Join Brian and his guest Lance Dacy as they address the interplay (and the skepticism) of combining Agile and data science. Tune in as they explore the art of crafting Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to create impactful and efficient solutions.
Overview
In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Lance Dacy to delve into the nuances of aligning data science with the software development mold while dispelling the myths along the way.
Listen in as Lance shares his wealth of experience and insights guiding listeners through the step-by-step process of building MVPs in data science projects and sharing how Agile principles seamlessly apply to both worlds.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:13] - Brian introduces Lance Dacy on the Agile Mentors Podcast. Since listeners appreciated the previous data science and agile episode, Lance is here for Part Two, this time discussing how data science fits into the software development mold.
[02:00] - Addressing the skepticism of combining agile and data science; Lance has both expertise and practical experience.
[02:43] - Lance emphasizes that he understands the “naysayers” concerns but aims to help others comprehend the synergy.
[03:05] - Waterfall might be better: sorting out the different perspectives on Agile development and data science.
[04:45] - The importance of scoping and architecture in software development projects.
[05:15] - Challenging the notion of perfectly defined objectives.
[05:46] - Most software projects lack a completely predefined understanding.
[06:39] - How Agile's empirical process and mindset of experimentation align with data science.
[07:30] - Presenting a real-world MVP example combining business drivers and data science techniques.
[08:04] - Clarifying what Agile is—a philosophy based on values, not a step-by-step process.
[09:03] - The importance of sustainable pace and productivity in Agile.
[10:10] - Introducing the concept of MVP and acknowledging the evolution of data science techniques.
[11:00] - Discussing MVP in the context of data science, and aligning it with empirical approach.
[11:38] - Highlighting the role of MVP in testing assumptions, mitigating risks, and user feedback.
[12:00] - Exploring data science's practical relevance for consumers to forge a relatable discussion.
[12:47] -Acknowledging familiarity with technology, uncertain about tactics.
[13:00] - Highlighting how AI and data science are pervasive in everyday technology use.
[13:29] - Examples of AI data science integration: search engines, online shopping recommendations, social media content, smart homes, and more.
[14:42] - Introducing common uses of data science: customer segmentation and marketing techniques.
[15:19] - Applying clustering techniques like K means for automated segmentation.
[15:34] - Lance shares his paper on supply chain optimization, using an ant colony algorithm.
[15:56] - The techniques and purpose of supply chain optimization.
[16:23] - Exploring data science applications: collaborative filtering, matrix factorization, neural networks.
[16:42] - Clarifying data scientists' approach: not a random process but based on problem-solving with models.
[17:18] - Iterative development as a primary reason for MVP in data science.
[17:57] - Using real-world performance data for model improvement.
[18:21] - Risk mitigation as a critical aspect of MVP: linking risk mitigation to surviving challenges and learning from them.
[19:51] - Starting with an MVP reduces risk by avoiding overly complex models without sufficient feedback.
[20:19] - Setting stakeholder expectations with an MVP: providing tangible insight into data science trade-offs and early deliverables.
[20:39] - Highlighting operational considerations of deploying and maintaining data models, addressing challenges in data pipelines, infrastructure, and monitoring.
[22:17] - An MVP approach aligns with Agile principles for data science.
[22:35] - Brian clarifies the misconception that MVP means sacrificing quality for speed.
[23:30] - Lance agrees, addressing the misconception, and emphasizes MVP's importance in learning and improvement.
[23:32] - Have you thought about training with Mountain Goat Software? With classes such as Mountain Goat Software, Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) developed by Mike Cohn, and team home software for better interactivity during classes you can’t go wrong.
[24:00] - Brian suggests transitioning to walking through a model or example of creating an MVP.
[24:07] -A tangible framework for mapping data science work to MVP steps, acknowledging the contextual nature of the process.
[24:50] - Lance acknowledges the complexity of the steps, so they’ve been posted below under resources.
[25:11] - The importance of problem definition and defining the scope of the MVP.
[26:34] - The challenge of gathering and preprocessing data.
[27:20] - Selecting a simple model that is easy to interpret and implement for faster training times, easier troubleshooting, and adherence to the principle of parsimony.
[29:12] - Using feature engineering to select the most relevant features for the model.
[29:33] - Choosing a manageable number of features for the model, rather than attempting to incorporate all available data and avoid overcomplicating or overfitting the model.
[30:11] - Lance emphasizes the importance of selecting a simple model and conducting feature engineering based on the insights gained from that model.
[30:36] - Training the chosen machine learning model using pre-processed data, typically by splitting the data into training and validation sets.
[31:15] - The challenge of evaluating the model's performance and the importance of using the appropriate metrics.
[31:34] - The goal: create a model that is good enough for gathering feedback that aligns with the concept of MVP.
[31:53] - Lance describes the last step of building an MVP: deploying the MVP by integrating the model into a suitable platform or application.
[32:26] - The importance of making the MVP accessible to end users.
[33:00] - The crucial feedback loop for making improvements to the model and features, and refining, scaling, or reconsidering the approach.
[34:09] - Why you might want to initially deploy a slightly higher-level model.
[34:57] - The parallel between the steps of creating an MVP in data science and the principles of Agile.
[35:18] - Brian adds that in data science, feedback not only comes from customers and users but also involves analyzing results and outcomes as a form of feedback to refine the model.
[35:53] - The importance of relying on scientific expertise to analyze the results of the model and evaluate its accuracy and validity.
[36:10] - In data science, the feedback loop also involves analyzing the outcomes and results, similar to the iterative process of receiving user feedback in software development.
[37:00] - Lance draws parallels between software development and data science by comparing the process of building software features with the steps involved in creating an MVP for data science.
[39:21] - Lance offers some practical examples, beginning with a recommendation system.
[41:06] - The decision tree approach and its benefits for stakeholders.
[43:00] - Lance talks about churn prediction to gradually incorporate more nuanced data.
[43:55] - MVPs for chatbots and the benefits of starting with simple scripted responses in a chatbot MVP.
[45:59] - Managing multiple projects.
[46:24] - The effectiveness of using logistic regression and decision trees for MVPs.
[47:00] - Lance emphasizes the importance of managing stakeholders' expectations.
[47:53] - Lance discusses the need to consider the context when interpreting model performance metrics and involving stakeholders in these discussions.
[49:16] - The importance of collaboration between data scientists and stakeholders for delivering valuable solutions.
[50:11] - Lance draws a comparison between data science and software development in terms of the challenge of coordinating work across different specialized areas.
[51:00] - Lance highlights the importance of feedback and iterative adjustments for success.
[53:24] - Again, you can find Episode #54: Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy, here.
[53:48] - We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic and your suggestions for future topics. Just email podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com. If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
[55:00] - Don’t forget to check out the Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule, including, Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) and Advanced Certified Scrum Master (ACSM) and Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner (ACSPO) classes. I'd really love to see you in class!
References and resources mentioned in the show:
6 Reasons Why I Think Agile Data Science Does Not Work | by Ilro Lee
Why Data Science Doesn't Respond Well to Agile Methodologies
Lance’s SMU Paper (Ant Colony Algorithm and Traveling Salesman Problem)
#54: Unlocking Agile's Power in the World of Data Science with Lance Dacy
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Certified Scrum Product Owner Training
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster®
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Reasons for Quick MVP in Data Science are to support:
Iterative Development
Feedback Loop
Risk Mitigation
Setting Expectations
Operational Considerations
Steps of the MVP:
Problem Definition
Gather and Preprocess the Data
Select a simple model
Feature engineering
Train the model
Evaluate the model
Deploy the MVP
Collect Feedback
Iterate
Decision Time
Examples of MVP in Data Science (Logistic regression and decision trees are often used as initial models due to their simplicity, interpretability, and relatively quick development time.)
Recommendation Systems: Instead of building a complex recommendation engine, a company might start with a simple rule-based system (e.g., recommending the most popular items) to gauge user interest and system engagement.
Churn Prediction: An MVP might involve creating a basic model based on a few key features (like usage frequency and customer complaints) to predict which customers might churn. Later versions can incorporate more nuanced data and sophisticated algorithms.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): For a chatbot, the MVP might involve scripted responses or basic keyword matching. Once deployed, user interactions can inform the development of more advanced NLP capabilities
Conclusion
With Rapid MVP, context is crucial with regard to our general benchmarks (F1-Score, ROC-AUC, MAE, RMSE). You should strive to always consider the context of those benchmarks with the problem being solved. In some medical diagnostic tests, even an F1-score of 0.95 might not be good enough due to the severe consequences of false negatives or false positives. We also likely need to compare the model's performance metrics with a simple baseline (e.g., random classifier, mean prediction) to determine how much value the model is adding. Always align the model's performance with business objectives. Even a model with a high ROC-AUC might not be suitable if it doesn't meet the specific precision or recall targets set by the business. Isn’t it better to find ways to know that earlier than later?
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Lance Dacy is a Certified Scrum Trainer®, Certified Scrum Professional®, Certified ScrumMaster®, and Certified Scrum Product Owner®. Lance brings a great personality and servant's heart to his workshops. He loves seeing people walk away with tangible and practical things they can do with their teams straight away.

#62: Effective Sprint Goals with Maarten Dalmijn

In this new episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Maarten Dalmijn to discuss the secrets to setting impactful sprint goals, fostering collaboration, and bridging the gap between team objectives and stakeholder expectations for Agile success.
Overview
In this new episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian is joined by Maarten Dalmijn, author of the new book, Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results to share his invaluable insights into the art of crafting effective sprint goals.
Maarten shares his wealth of knowledge including how to navigate the challenges of setting sprint goals while ensuring alignment with stakeholders' expectation, and optimizing team structure while fostering a collaborative environment that ensures success.
Listen in as Maarten and Brian explore the essence of sprint goals, the strategies behind their formulation and the impact they have on Agile projects.
Listen Now to Discover:
[1:06] - Today, Brian is sitting down with Maarten Dalmijn, of Dalmijn Consulting and author the book Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results that’s the number one new release in software design and engineering on on Amazon to discuss sprint goals.
[2:16] - Maarten explains the concept of sprint goals using the analogy of a military commander's intent during missions.
[3:22] - Brian shares how sprint goals serve as a commander's intent for the team's work.
[4:07] - Maarten highlights that a sprint goal is not about completing a list of tasks but rather identifying the most important objective for the sprint.
[5:24] - The challenges of conceptualizing sprint goals.
[5:58] - Unable to set a single spring goal? Maarten addresses the question of setting a sprint goal for teams with multiple purposes or projects.
[7:29] - Scenarios where setting a single sprint goal might not be feasible.
[8:31] -The challenge of staying focused on the sprint goal when encountering obstacles.
[9:44] - Maarten shares an example of the importance of knowing the underlying business objective when setting a spring goal.
[11:08] - The importance of managing stakeholder expectations by communicating and aligning stakeholders with the sprint goal to prevent last minute surprises.
[12:19] - Brian draws a parallel between sprint goals and TV episode titles, highlighting the need to share the sprint goal in the sprint review to prevent surprises and encourage stakeholder engagement.
[15:28] - Are you thinking about getting certified as a Scrum Master? If so, check out the resources and training options with our sponsor, Mountain Goat Software. They run interactive certification classes every week that include 12 months membership in the Agile Mentors Community.
[16:10] - Setting achievable vs. challenging sprint goals and what Maarten advocates for.
[19:46] - Brian shares a teaching example.
[20:12] - Maarten introduces the acronym "FOCUS" to assess the quality of sprint goals: Fun, Outcome-oriented, Collaborative, Ultimate, and Singular and shares each one’s role in creating effective sprint goals.
[22:12] - Maarten discusses the importance of stakeholder management and its connection to clear vision and strategy within organizations.
[22:47] -The role of team structure in setting sprint goals.
[24:17] - Managing stakeholder pushback during sprint reviews. Maarten underscores the importance of working as a team with stakeholders to foster effective communication and alignment.
[26:50] - The impact of planning and road mapping on the ability to set sprint goals.
[28:21] - What stakeholders ultimately want.
[29:18] - You can find Maarten’s book, Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results on Amazon. It’s part of the Mike Cohn book series.
[29:50] - To continue the discussion, Join Us in the Agile Mentors Community, there’s a discussion about every episode of the podcast on there.
[30:30] - Your feedback is valuable, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email us by clicking here. We'd love your thoughts about today's show and suggestions for future episodes.
[31:04] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Dalmijn Consulting
Maarten Dalmijn
Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results
Certified Scrum Master Training and Scrum Certification
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Maarten Dalmijn of Dalmijn Consulting is an accomplished speaker at Fortune 500 firms, governmental bodies, and global conferences, who thrives at the nexus of Product Management and Agile. With a decade of versatile experience spanning roles from Marketing Manager to Scrum Master, he empowers teams to transcend the Feature Factory and achieve impactful value delivery. Maarten is the author of the recently released Driving Value with Sprint Goals: Humble Plans, Exceptional Results.

#61: The Complex Factors in The Office Vs. Remote Debate with Scott Dunn

In this episode of Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian, and Scott Dunn delve into the biggest question challenging teams right now: Should they return to the office or continue to embrace remote work? Join us as we navigate the complex factors in the office vs. remote debate.
Overview
Across industries, the call to return to the office is gaining momentum among management circles. In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian sits down with Scott Dunn, to unravel the layers of the working in the office versus remote settings debate.
Listen in as they discuss various perspectives and considerations such as productivity, work-life balance, leadership styles, personality types, and even economic factors that influence the decision to have your team in the office or at home and what truly defines an effective workspace.
Tune in as Scott and Brian share valuable insights into the ongoing debate that's reshaping the modern work landscape
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:31] - Brian welcomes guest Scott Dunn to the show to discuss their feelings toward management saying it’s time to return to the office post-Covid.
[02:48] - Everyone’s affected in one way or another by the return to the office vs the prevailing “squishy” remote work policy.
[04:01] - Where are you really the most productive?
[04:16] - The basic needs of a generation: why “fully remote” is so appealing to Gen Z.
[05:55] - Words straight from the Agile manifesto that supports in-person work and face-to-face communication.
[06:44] - Quantifying what’s been lost from being face-to-face to being fully remote.
[07:13] - How open working sessions and working side by side but independently boosts productivity.
[07:41] - The tools that elevate remote collaboration and help facilitate small group dynamics when working remotely.
[09:31] - Remote work and the allure of opening the talent pool combined with less turnover is a game-changer.
[10:26] - How to run a focused remote work trial to assess applicants and gather insights.
[10:58] - It's about more than just the comfort or preference of the leadership team.
[11:23] - The most critical factor in determining if you have a hiring problem.
[12:03] - How to deal with the issue of unequal contribution and improve team dynamics.
[12:39] - Why managers have concerns about remote and how to alleviate them.
[13:27] - How to enhance team accountability and empower team members by implementing measurable tracking to ensure everyone's pulling their weight.
[14:48] - Drive positive change by experimenting and then taking action.
[19:41] - The Agile Mentors Podcast is proudly sponsored by Mountain Goat Software with a range of training options, from Scrum certifications to skill enhancement, visit www.mountaingoatsoftware.com.
[15:25] - How to balance support for employees with managerial accountability.
[16:00] -The correlation between happy employees and productivity. Simon Sinek's insights highlight the connection between employee happiness and success.
[17:07] - The vital (and challenging) responsibility of leaders to not only guide teams but define the expectations of the company culture.
[19:00] - Open dialog and constructive conflict: Patrick Lencioni’s approach to vulnerable leadership for trust and psychological safety.
[19:35] - How to spark healthy conflict and promote results.
[20:00] - The importance of acknowledging personality differences, diverse working styles, and ideal working conditions.
[20:37] - How to encourage open dialogue to address concerns and foster employee ownership.
[21:14] - Leading the conversations about remote work to the right approach.
[21:40] - Embracing personal user manuals for improved teamwork.
[22:14] - How to embrace a balanced approach that values different work styles.
[23:35] - How introverted and extroverted differences can impact experiences: How constructive feedback promotes awareness and inclusive adjustments.
[26:16] - Why remote work decisions should be rooted in culture and individual fit rather than an across-the-board, fixed policy.
[27:09] - How a hybrid approach accommodates diverse work styles.
[27:29] - Remote teams, as shown by a Harvard Business Review study, can be more productive, especially when employees overwork to prove their worth from home.
[28:11] - How to help employees align with teams that suit their work styles.
[28:45] - Consider implementing a system where teams choose to be fully remote or not, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of factors like productivity, team happiness, and innovation.
[29:02] - How to help fully remote teams take ownership of their success.
[29:32] - Weighing all the factors in the remote vs. in-person debate is essential, for aligning goals, ensuring meaningful decision-making, and opening the door to change.
[30:33] - How the critically important remote work decision will impact future Scrum teams', economic considerations, and overall work-life balance.
[31:10] - We don’t claim to have definitive answers but hope you enjoyed our conversation on navigating complex workplace challenges.
[32:09] - Your feedback is valuable. We'd love your thoughts about today's show or any suggestions for future topics for the show. Email us by clicking here.
[33:24] - We'd love to see you in one of Mountain Goat Software's classes, you can find the schedule here. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Miro
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Scott Dunn is a Certified Enterprise Coach and Scrum Trainer with over 20 years of experience coaching and training companies like NASA, EMC/Dell Technologies, Yahoo!, Technicolor, and eBay to transition to an agile approach using Scrum.

#60: Breaking the Agile Déjà Vu: Tackling Recurring Anti-Patterns with Reese Schmit

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Agile coach Reese Schmit who shares her tips for breaking recurring anti-patterns in teams and organizations through the power of the why.
Overview
In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian is joined by Agile Coach Reese Schmit to discuss identifying and tackling recurring Agile anti-patterns in teams and organizations. Reese shares her valuable insights on the significance of understanding the "why" behind Agile practice and avoiding the trap of "cargo cult Scrum." Listen in as she shares her tips for fostering transparency, collaboration, and trust among team members and how rediscovering the purpose behind Agile practices can lead to a world where people are excited and happy about their work.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:10] - Brian sits down with guest Reese Schmit, a coach, trainer, and mom, from the Agile 2023 Conference in Orlando, to discuss identifying and tackling recurring Agile anti-patterns in teams and organizations.
[03:10] - Reese talks about her revelation during an open jam session at the Agile 2023 Conference, where she realized the prevalence of the same anti-patterns across different teams and organizations over the past 15 years.
[05:04] - Brian and Reese discuss the frustratingly common situation of organizations claiming uniqueness but facing the same Agile challenges.
[06:19] - Reese highlights the misguided approach of blindly adhering to Agile frameworks like Scrum without understanding the principles.
[06:38] - Overplanning and white-knuckling the backlog = irrelevant user stories and wasted efforts.
[07:25] - Reese shares her journey as a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and her initial motivation to uncover the reasons behind the persistent issues in Agile implementations.
[08:54] - Brian uses the analogy of a road trip to bring home the concept of why teams need a clear goal to keep them engaged and aligned with the Agile transformation rather than just imposing Agile practices on them. [09:35] - Organizations driving without a clear destination end up with confusion, disengagement, and a sense of going through the motions.
[10:32] - Reese emphasizes the importance of a clear "why" at all levels - from product features to team goals.
[11:16] - Reese shares her early experiences as a Scrum Master, where she lacked a clear understanding of a "cargo cult" mentality in your organization.
[12:24] - The critical role of understanding the "why" behind Agile practices.
[12:28] - Brian references Dan Pink's ideas on autonomy, mastery, and purpose, about the importance of understanding the "why" and measuring progress.
[13:07] - Lack of autonomy results in disengagement, ineffective retrospectives, and helplessness to fix issues.
[13:56] - Reese emphasizes the significance of recognizing the capabilities of team members and trusting them to build better products, teams, and organizations.
[14:38] - Brian mentions a talk by Dr. Anne-Marie Charrett, a psychologist, that discussed the issue of trust within teams and what that entails.
[15:40] - Reese shares her approach to building product teams based on expertise and interest rather than imposed structures.
[16:46] - Brian emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the team's preferences when organizing them around products.
[17:37] - Reese highlights the challenges faced in true Agile transformations, and why merely renaming roles or events does not lead to a shift in mindset or a genuine transformation.
[18:15] - What true Agile adoption requires.
[19:16] - Missing Opportunities: Organizations that fail to embrace Agile's inspect-and-adapt principle miss out on the chance to improve products based on real user feedback, optimize ROI, and focus on delivering the highest value to customers.
[19:41] - Today’s show is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's Advanced Certified Product Owner® Course, a two-day training course led by a certified Scrum trainer.
[20:16] -Understanding the "why" allows for better adaptation and problem-solving.
[21:26] - Reese emphasizes that Agile issues are often complex and not solved by one-size-fits-all solutions.
[23:37] - Brian shares how presumptive fixes can lead to misunderstandings and reduced trust.
[25:46] - Recognize that team members are capable and intelligent professionals to foster trust and collaboration.
[26:58] - Reese emphasizes the need to help organizations acknowledge when their information or assumptions are wrong.
[27:30] - The importance of having a clear sprint goal (hint: it transforms ceremonies into meaningful events where collaboration happens).
[30:35] - Clear communication about the purpose of events enhances effectiveness.
[31:48] - Avoid pointless meetings.
[32:12] - Overcoming inertia is essential to make meaningful progress.
[32:58] - Reese humorously references a book on becoming healthy, which boils things down to the simplest terms, (eating veggies, sleeping enough, drinking water). Agile success can also be obtained simply, too by focusing on the fundamental principles.
[35:31] - Rediscovering the purpose behind Agile practices can lead to a world where people are excited and happy about their work.
[36:56] - Making a pact for improvement: Brian encourages listeners to take the lessons from the discussion and make a pact to focus on the core principles and purpose behind Agile practices.
[37:09] - Your feedback is valuable, so email us by clicking here. We'd love your thoughts about today's show and suggestions for future topics for the show.
[37:47] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Daniel Pink
Drive
Anne-Marie Charrett
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Agile 2023 Conference in Orlando
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Reese Schmit is an Agile coach, trainer, and mom with nearly two decades of experience in the software industry, she wears multiple hats. With a deep understanding of Scrum, Kanban, and Agile methodologies, she fosters change through empathy, driving customer value, and continuous improvement. An avid volunteer for Agile organizations and conferences, she balances her time between coaching and enjoying life with her family and pets.

#59: Revising the Scrum Guide with Don McGreal

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Don McGreal to discuss the revision of the Scrum Guide and the delicate balance between staying true to the core principles of Scrum while allowing for necessary flexibility.
Overview
In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian is joined by Don McGreal, to delve into the topic of revising the Scrum Guide.
Don shares some of the behind-the-scenes of the decision-making process, and the rationale behind the crucial revisions that have shaped the latest version of the Scrum Guide.
Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of the principles that guide Scrum and how they continue to evolve and the delicate balance between staying true to the core principles while allowing for necessary flexibility.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:11] - Brian welcomes us to the show and introduces his guest, Don McGreal, the Founder and Vice President of Learning Solutions for Improving, author of “The Professional Product Owner” and a big name in the Scrum.org community to talk about revising the Scrum Guide.
[04:27] - Don shares how he got involved in revising the Scrum Guide.
[05:21] - One team, one group focused on the product.
[06:57] - What a scrum team consists of now and why they made the change.
[08:11]- We don't expect you to have a title on your business card.
[08:53] -The switch from role to accountability.
[10:51] - Ten people on a team, one Scrum master, one product owner: It's not illegal in Scrum to take on more than one set of accountabilities or have a bigger team but there are risks involved.
[12:51] - Three people using Scrum to work through treatments for a child with autism.
[13:34] - Why the team decided to stick with the term "developer."
[16:22] - Other terms, including "sprint" and 'backlog" that caused debates and why they stuck.
[17:39] - Scrum sounds different because it IS.
[18:20] - True Leader: the hot-button topic in the scrum guide that people are still debating, and how they landed on their decision.
[19:52] - Clarifying the term "serve" and the need for true leaders who empower the team and make things happen beyond just serving.
[21:21] - Today’s show is brought to you by Mountain Goat Software's, Advanced Certified Product Owner® Course, which aims to enhance product owners' skills, confidence, and credibility. The course offers lifetime access to materials and interactive software for valuable and enjoyable breakout exercises. Additionally, participants gain access to Mike Cohn's Agile Mentors Community, with 12 months of ongoing coaching and support.
[22:00] - The decision to drop the three questions from the Daily and the new approach.
[22:47] - A significant addition to the Scrum framework – the concept of a product goal representing the journey towards a vision.
[23:40] - The (results-driven) power of the product goal as inspired by “The 4 Disciplines of Execution." and how it’s changed how backlogs are managed and success is measured.
[25:00] - Changing the measure of success: measuring success by value rather than checking things off a backlog list.
[25:26] - The vision is the big idea-the product goal is the milestone. It's a step towards the vision.
[26:21] - In the revised Scrum Guide, the product goal is now part of the product backlog, emphasizing a commitment to achieving objectives with sprint and product goals focusing on the overall goal, not every task, while the Definition of Done ensures the increment's success.
[29:28] - Before the new Scrum Guide, teams working on multiple products had debates on having one prioritized backlog or multiple lists.
[30:12] - How the introduction of the product goal in the Scrum Guide directed teams towards having one focused direction, (preventing everything from being equally important).
[31:06] - How emphasizing one strategic focus helped teams with multiple products alleviate challenges with prioritizing and improved their approach and alignment.
[31:43] - Product backlog with mixed products lacks direction. Product goal provides focus without excluding other items.
[33:15] - Some of the controversial changes, like making refinement an event and concerns about terminology like "master" in Scrum roles.
[34:49] - The term "immutable" in the Scrum Guide means unchanging, which some find bothersome, but it serves to maintain consistency and distinguish genuine Scrum from modified versions.
[36:49] - It's immutable, and it isn't suffocating. It's a lightweight framework described in a 13-page document—there's a lot of wiggle room in there—give it a shot and give it its best chance to succeed by following these simple rules.
[37:28] - Change it if you must but then stop calling it Scrum.
[38:05] - The sacred text about Scrum is meant to be easy to take on, helpful…AND flexible.
[39:22] - Learning from the early days: streamlining a 200-300 page document with legal complexities into the current Scrum Guide, while aiming to distill its essence and promote simplicity and accessibility.
[40:48] - You can find out more about Don and Improving by visiting their website. Additionally, Don's book, "The Professional Product Owner," can be found on Amazon.
[41:07] - If you enjoyed the episode, the best way to support us is to share it with others and subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback is valuable, so feel free to email us by clicking here.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Scrum Guides
Improving
The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage
Scrum.org
The 4 Disciplines of Execution
Advanced Certified Scrum Product Owner®
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.
Don McGreal is Vice President of Learning Solutions at Improving, and author of the best-selling book: 'The Professional Product Owner: Leveraging Scrum as a Competitive Advantage', and a Scrum.org Professional Scrum Trainer who has authored and taught classes for thousands of professionals around the globe.

#58: Help! My Retrospectives Are Boring

Are your retrospectives boring? Join us on the latest episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast as Brian shares valuable insights on how to supercharge your retrospectives. Discover the three root causes behind boring or ineffective retrospectives and unlock tips to enhance their effectiveness.
Overview
Today on the Agile Mentors Podcast Brian Milner shares valuable insights on supercharging your retrospectives.
Listen in to discover the three root causes behind boring or ineffective retrospectives, plus Brian shares his tips on ways to enhance their effectiveness.
Tune in as Brian unveils some innovative ways to breathe new life into your retrospective themes while creating more meaningful connections within your team and fostering a deeper understanding of the bigger picture.
Listen Now to Discover:
[01:18] - On this last podcast episode for July, Brian offers insight into the three root causes behind uninteresting or ineffective retrospectives and tips to enhance and revitalize your retrospectives.
[01:58] - Are your retrospectives boring? To supercharge your retrospectives: don't just go through the motions; take ownership, connect the dots, and make things happen.
[02:45] - Scrum Guide Tip: to progress towards resolving the biggest issues, put action items from your current sprint into your next sprint's backlog.
[03:25] - You don't have to solve everything in one sprint.
[03:51] - Showing your team their recent successes can help with motivation.
[04:22] - How to make your retrospectives less boring. Boredom buster #1: make them effective—avoid repeating the same issues.
[04:43] - Boredom buster #2: transparency is vital in boosting collaboration and trust—create a safe space for open discussions (use anonymous voting to gauge team comfort).
[06:10] - Equal say for all (including Scrum Masters), how anonymity empowers everyone and leads to collaborative problem-solving.
[07:05] - How setup systems for topic submissions can keep your team from forgetting important issues. [07:36] - Make your retrospectives diverse: different perspectives bring fresh ideas.
[08:32] - This is your chance to be creative and invent your own themes to activate your team's brain in a different way.
[09:42] - Fun takeaway! Brian shares his one-of-a-kind idea for a unique retrospective theme you can use with your team.
[11:49] - Pop culture, the flavor of the day, or non-traditional, Brian shares some more ideas to liven up your retrospective.
[12:33] - Or try something completely different: discuss industry trends, company uniqueness, and personal highlights to connect to the bigger picture and deepen team connections.
[13:39] - How unleashing the human connection can lead to stronger bonds and better teamwork.
[15:40] - Why you should experiment with new ways to revive your retrospectives.
[16:48] - New guest episodes are coming up in August! Do you have an Agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us here.
[16:51] - A message from our sponsor: Better User Stories, a one-day live online training course with Mike Cohn to improve your user story writing, so your team can do its best work, faster.
[17:22] - New guest episodes are coming up in August! Do you have an Agile subject you'd like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us here.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Scrum Guides
Mountain Goat Software’s Better User Stories
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

#57: Saying NO Without Losing Your Job

Join Brian Milner in another episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast series on unlocking the secrets of a sustainable pace. Today he’s delving into the power of "No" in Agile. Tune in to discover the truth behind feature usage, prioritize value-driven choices, and tips for mastering the art of saying no without losing your job.
Overview
Today on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner sheds light on the power of saying "No" in Agile organizations.
"No" is an integral part of a healthy Agile organization. Learn how prioritizing value-driven choices empowers success in delivering the highest value to customers every time. Listen in as Brian shares valuable insights on establishing shared desired outcomes to ensure alignment and effective decision-making within teams and organizations.
Tune in for practical tips on mastering the art of saying "No" with confidence, navigating challenging conversations, and preserving relationships and job security along the way.
Listen Now to Discover:
[00:53] - In this episode of our summer series on practicing sustainable pace, Brian Milner talks about how important it is to say no, without losing your job.
[01:40] - Challenging the 64% Myth: Unveiling the Truth Behind Feature Usage (famous Standish Group study on feature utilization and Mike Cohn’s research).
[2:15] - The 2019 Feature Adoption Report | Pendo.io White Papers and The Surprising Power of Online Experiments.
[02:49] - Slack's monetization woes - unveiling the reality: 70% of features fail to deliver.
[03:13] - Product development philosophy: switching course to design features people care about.
[04:49] - Unlocking Agile's Key Principle: Product owners must practice saying NO daily in the mirror.
[06:34] - Saying no to unlock actual value - selective deliveries for maximum impact and prioritizing quality over quantity in our deliverables.
[07:17] - Saying no isn't always easy.
[07:32] - Tips for navigating the art of saying no while preserving relationships and job security.
[08:50] - How establishing shared desired outcomes in Agile ensures alignment and effective decision-making and fosters collaboration and value to customers.
[10:11] - For product owners: how prioritizing value-driven choices ensures success for both the product and the organization.
[12:56] - How developers can foster understanding and acknowledge their role while exploring how choices will impact the team and process.
[13:39] - A strategic dialogue on overtime requests' downstream effects and impact.
[14:54] - NO should be a regular occurrence in a healthy agile organization.
[15:08] - A message from our sponsor: Better User Stories, a one-day live online training course with Mike Cohn to improve your user story writing, so your team can do its best work, faster.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Standish Group
Are 64% of Features Really Rarely or Never Used?
#25: Scaling with Henrik Kniberg
Product Ownership in a Nutshell
Manifesto for Agile Software Development
Mountain Goat Software’s Better User Stories
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.

#56: The Power of Experimentation

In this week's episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner dives deep into the importance of experimentation in Agile organizations. Tune in to learn valuable tips for Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Developers to embrace an experimental mindset.
Overview
Experimentation is at the heart of Agile's DNA, fueling innovation and continuous improvement.
Today on the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner explores the fundamental role of experimentation in Agile organizations.
"Agile is a framework that allows teams to find the best ways of working together, and this can only be achieved through continuous experimentation." Brian offers his tips for Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Developers to embrace experimentation in their respective roles.
Experimentation is a cultural value. Listen in to gain insights into the power of experimentation to unlock the full potential of Agile within your organization.
Summer is a great time to explore new approaches and experiment with Agile practices. Join Brian as he shares practical tips and real-world examples to help you embrace an experimental mindset on your Agile journey.
Listen Now to Discover:
[00:53] - This is the second of our special July episodes where we're taking a break from interviews and focusing on some quick tips you can use.
[01:21] - Today, we're diving into the topic of experimentation.
[02:53] - What Google says about experimentation
[03:46] - What is Empiricism, and what does it have to do with Agile?
[04:09] - Unlike traditional product development, Agile operates on a research and development paradigm focused on experimentation and inventing new solutions rather than mass production.
[04:35] - Experimentation is really at the heart of what we do in Agile.
[05:03] - Experimentation is a cultural value.
[06:10] - Wipe the word failure out of your vocabulary.
[06:42] - Experiments can go either way, and that's okay. It's just the facts.
[07:09] - Three tips for Scrum Masters to embrace experimentation.
[10:04] - Three tips for Product Owners to embrace experimentation.
[11:44] - How Developers can embrace experimentation.
[14:03] - Finding the right balance for your team.
References and resources mentioned in the show:
Mountain Goat Software Certified Scrum and Agile Training Schedule
Join the Agile Mentors Community
Subscribe to the Agile Mentors Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Want to get involved?
This show is designed for you, and we’d love your input.
Enjoyed what you heard today? Please leave a rating and a review. It really helps, and we read every single one.
Got an Agile subject you’d like us to discuss or a question that needs an answer? Share your thoughts with us at podcast@mountaingoatsoftware.com
This episode’s presenters are:
Brian Milner is the SVP of coaching and training at Mountain Goat Software. He's passionate about making a difference in people's day-to-day work, influenced by his own experience of transitioning to Scrum and seeing improvements in work/life balance, honesty, respect, and the quality of work.