Sometimes metrics can get in the way of a good conversation. — A few weeks back, I had a conversation with a peer coach who was introduced to me. As we chatted, we discussed several aspects of coaching. At one point, he asked me a question that has…

This was a great year spent helping others in their pursuit of outcomes. — This year started with my goal to help move organizations to a true outcome-orientation. And the companies I worked with made many strides forward. Here are a few examples of what happened: 10 teams learned techniques to stop starting and start finishing value for their customers. 6 teams learned how…

5 ways to unleash your team’s agility. — Scrum is simple. But, wow, it can seem restrictive at times. And at other times, it’s lack of specificity can lead to a misapplication of behavior. After folks practice Scrum for a while, I’ve noticed many begin to question its boundaries. The borders of Scrum start to inhibit the potential…

I am tiring of the fight for this concept. — Consider this: 1) you have one feature in use by a customer, or 2) you have five hundred code-complete features. Which is more valuable? I guarantee many organizations I encounter would go with the code-complete features option as the winner. I know this because they favor staying busy and finishing…

Get ready to embrace change and emerge your path. — Budget season has just ended. You as the Product Manager have been assigned to own a major strategic initiative. As part of the budget process, your stakeholders have provided numerous ideas on how they want you to solve it and are eager to learn when you will be done. Now…

Managers, this one is for you. — More and more these days, I’ve been hearing this sentiment from managers in the organizations I coach: “We have hard deadlines, so Agile can’t help us.” My typical reaction ranges from astonishment to bewilderment. Considering the number of times I have heard this type of statement, my level of surprise…

Build the right system to get the results you want. — I often get asked to help organizations when they are not getting the results they desire from Scrum. Nine times out of ten, I am asked, in error, to fix the teams. The requests I get go something like this (these may be familiar to you, too): “Most teams never…

Stop spinning plates before they all come crashing down. — Do you experience any of these symptoms? Simple tasks, such as sending an email to a group of people, can take weeks. You need many meetings to stay in “alignment” and everyone is too busy to collaborate. Your day is packed with back-to-back meetings on different objectives. You have to…

Dependencies cripple Scrum Teams. — Have you ever seen teams who are truly agile — having honed the ability to move with quick, easy grace? I have, and it is a sight to see. Such teams can own their product from concept to cash. They collaborate with their customer, and anything less than customer delight…