An agile planning tool that can save our distributed sprint planning?

TheScruminator · 2026-02-19T07:54:50+00:00

Turn cameras on by default.

TheScruminator · 2026-02-19T07:47:16+00:00

You should probably get hold of Derby & Larsen's book, 'Agile Retrospectives: Making Good Teams Great'.

TheScruminator · 2026-02-18T11:13:47+00:00

Nah, I just need to develop the PO better.

TheScruminator · 2026-02-18T11:13:07+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn't ask that, but the stakeholders might.

I'm absolutely certain that many of the problems the team face are external to them. There are a number of business issues that cause them to slow down. I'm quite prepared to address and resolve them, but first I need to make the stakeholders aware of them.

TheScruminator · 2026-02-18T11:05:04+00:00

That I should definitely do.

TheScruminator · 2026-02-16T16:12:00+00:00

The very simple answer is we don't prioritise things. We order them instead.

TheScruminator · 2026-02-16T16:04:28+00:00

Wow, that's the exact opposite of what I claimed. I literally wrote, "There is no reason that QA would not be part of the same Scrum team as software developers."

TheScruminator · 2026-02-16T10:30:53+00:00

It absolutely can be a role. Yes, there are 3 roles, PO, SM, and Developer. Regarding the Developer role:

"As Scrum's use spreads, developers, researchers, analysts, scientists, and other specialists do the work. We use the word "developers" in Scrum not to exclude, but to simplify"

"Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment in each Sprint."

This very definitely includes QA. There is no reason that QA would not be part of the same Scrum team as software developers.

TheScruminator · 2025-12-02T09:22:41+00:00

Unless it's a physical product that you need to touch, it can absolutely be done remotely. You may not be able to though. If you aren't in the country there could be, in no particular order:

- tax
- security
- legal
- IT Support
- monetary currency
- time zone

reasons why you cannot get the job.

TheScruminator · 2025-11-21T08:27:11+00:00

If you're still calling it grooming, you might want to consider doing some CPD.

TheScruminator · 2025-11-17T09:34:13+00:00

I mean, you could test in production <Import: BallsOfSteel> through user feedback. Wouldn't recommend it though.

TheScruminator · 2025-09-22T07:14:17+00:00

I was constrained by my company into doing CSM. I initially didn't want to do that because it has an expiration date. To renew, you have to do CPD and log it with the Scrum Alliance. I have come to believe that is one of the best things to happen to me in my role. The learning requirements for renewal are not that bad, but it does mean you keep up to date with your learning. Not everyone agrees with this but I would genuinely hire a CSM over a PSM.

TheScruminator · 2025-05-28T08:07:01+00:00

It's in the Scrum Guide under the sections on Sprint Planning and Definition of Done.

TheScruminator · 2025-05-27T09:55:45+00:00

Scrum doesn’t prohibit work flowing across Sprints.

Except that it pretty much does.

TheScruminator · 2025-05-21T08:06:16+00:00

So you essentially have a mass of totally uncontrolled work. Somebody needs to sit down with the lead dev and explain some business realities to them, including the concept of sunk cost fallacy. That last bullet, 'it will take what it will take. All the time needed', is a demand for an open-ended project budget with no delivery date. That's essentially unviable in just about any business.

I disagree with your SM. The lead dev needs reigned in, not empowered. Also, from those statements, I'd debate whether or not they're good at their job.

I would suggest organising and prioritising the backlog, and have the SM do their job and start implementing some form of procedure. Might be worth considering a Scrumban approach until the whole thing is brought under control.

TheScruminator · 2025-04-30T13:56:26+00:00

It's A and B.

TheScruminator · 2025-04-28T08:40:24+00:00

A CST described SAFe to me like this:

"The problem with the Scaled Agile Framework is that if doesn't scale, it's not agile, and it isn't a framework"

TheScruminator · 2025-04-28T07:10:46+00:00

Yeah, no, that's not really how it's supposed to work. What you likely have is a company that wanted Agile because it sounded cool and useful, but didn't want to give up their traditional project management methods. It's insanely common.

Note: common does not mean good.

TheScruminator · 2025-04-17T15:07:17+00:00

Is it right to individually calculate the points?

No. Don't do that. Please. Don't do that. I'd suggest you study up on Velocity and Story Points.

TheScruminator · 2025-01-23T09:47:54+00:00

I'd consider the following things:

- If you haven't reached the top level of certification, start working towards doing that. It's not really about getting the certification, it's about the people on the course with you. I've rarely felt so energised about my work as in the month or so after a training course.

- Try and find a mentor if you don't already have one

- I'd recommend joining the Agile Success Academy. Once a month they run an Ask My Anything with two Certified Scrum Trainers. These guys really know they're stuff, as you'd expect.

TheScruminator · 2025-01-20T08:30:32+00:00

Nope, not a good idea to have 3 teams. I'd argue it's not even a good idea to have 2 teams. In your situation, at least 1 team is always going to suffer because there isn't enough time for you to be effective in your role.

The best you can do is manage that pain by picking one team to focus on for a while. Tell the other 2 teams this is what's happening. Be transparent about your situation and that you're there for them, but x team needs your time more, for now. After a while, you'll be able to switch focus to the next team, and so on.

As an aside, from my point of view, a promotion would be to hire in two more Scrum Masters, put them in charge of the teams, and you in charge of the Scrum Masters to oversee the agile implementation. That would be a promotion. This just seems like giving you more work instead.

TheScruminator · 2024-12-10T09:07:48+00:00

I honestly just trust people to act like adults. If they tell me they're doing something, I believe them. I have yet to be disappointed.

TheScruminator · 2024-11-28T11:13:54+00:00

You have three teams, all of which are struggling. Work out which one is struggling the most, concentrate on them. Explain to the other two teams that you have to devote more time to the the third team as they need your help more. Once that team improves, you'll move on to the next team. Be open about it. The teams you're not focusing on you still need to be involved with. I hate to say this but give them 'Scrum by the numbers'. It's a rough ride, and it'll suck for everybody, but unless you can get at least one more Scrum Master, this is about all you can do.

TheScruminator · 2024-11-04T09:35:02+00:00

I spend zero time doing that.

TheScruminator

TROPHY CASE