Podcasts about scaled agile

“It's hard to master, yes, because there's so much value. You need to have the right people to help you disseminate that advice, to apply the right approach to implement it in your organization.” In this episode, Adam has an honest, transparent discussion about Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) with Darren Wilmshurst, managing director, and Ken France, VP enterprise agility practice, both at Cprime. Topics covered in the conversation include the evolution of Agile at scale and the increasing importance of portfolio management as organizations look to connect strategy with execution and move to a product operating model. A look at the results from the State of SAFe Report 2025, which shares data on how organizations are transforming with SAFe and highlights struggles they have with LPM. And Darren's and Ken's insights and advice for achieving mastery in LPM. Like what you hear? Connect with Darren and Ken on LinkedIn. Download the State of SAFe Report here. Explore SAFe courses here.  

Following through on the information output from a Value Stream Mapping (VSM) workshop is critical. Just as important is paying attention to a small but mighty metric that has to do with quality. Stefano Giovannini, business agility director at Capgemini Invent, explains and shares a real-world example. Like what you hear? Connect with Stefano on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

"You can't do it alone. If you need to do everything for your client … then you're also blindfolded in only looking one way. You need to get many partners all together … so we have multiple visions, multiple cultures, and can be flexible. “ What started as a small network is now Connected Movement, an international consultancy that taps into the value and power of partnerships. In this episode, Adam talks to Jeroen Jan Elzinger, CEO, and Sukie Kang, SPCT, executive coach, and transformation architect about how the company is bringing people together to solve customers' problems. The trio discusses topics including why understanding cultural differences is important to extend their reach and expertise in more regions and markets, why building a diverse network and team is a strength, and they share examples of how communication styles and decision-making processes vary greatly across different countries. Like what you hear? Connect with Jeroen and Sukie on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

If an organization's executives and managers don't understand the new way of working associated with an Agile transformation, how can they lead effectively? In this episode, Sukie Kang with Connected Movement shares his tips for coaches to help leaders become fully engaged. Like what you hear? Connect with Sukie on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

"Whenever I work with companies, I always challenge the leaders and the managers to rethink what they are paying the people for … are you paying them to stare at the screen from nine to five or are you paying them to actually generate outcomes?" In this episode, Adam talks to Oskar Kawecki, the first SAFe Practice Consultant-T (SPCT) in Poland, about the state of business agility adoption in Eastern Europe. The two discuss topics including the strong industries that are accelerating the need for companies to better adapt to changing market conditions, younger workers seeking more flexible and empowering work environments, and how SAFe can help enable those cultural and generational shifts to solve real business problems. Like what you hear? Connect with Oskar on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. 

What's the best way to help Business Owners do their jobs better to empower an Agile transformation? In this episode, Kurt Jäger with KEGON explains why part of it involves speaking their language. Like what you hear? Connect with Kurt on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Changing your mindset can change your behaviors. In this episode, SPCT and Strategic Advisor Hiroaki Nakaya explains why this is so important to a successful transformation for any organization. Like what you hear? Connect with Hiroaki on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

"Partnerships make a lot of sense to me … I feel that if two different parties come together and align on goals, then there are so many wonderful things that you can do." Today's conversation between Adam and Benjamin Perlzweig, EMEA and DACH partner development manager at Atlassian, explores a wide range of topics. The discussion covers Atlassian's push into generative AI to provide customers with actionable insights and help them drive ROI, the importance of partnerships and collaboration in the software industry to create better solutions, and how the company is fundamentally shifting its mindset about how to help its customers. Like what you hear? Connect with Benji on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Organizations building hardware products realize the need to adopt Agile ways of working. But many struggle with how to do it. In this episode, Rune Christensen, a strategic advisor with Scaled Agile shares his advice and experience around what experiments to run and investments to make. Like what you hear? Connect with Rune on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

The episode discusses the concept of Minimum Viable Continuous Delivery (Minimum CD), which represents a counter-movement to heavyweight frameworks like SAFe. The hosts explore how Minimum CD provides a set of essential practices for successfully building software-based products without unnecessary complexity. The approach focuses on core principles rather than rigid frameworks, making it particularly relevant for embedded systems development.The discussion covers the fundamental requirements for continuous delivery, including automated testing, pipeline-driven deployments, and trunk-based development. The hosts emphasize that while these practices may seem challenging for embedded systems, they become increasingly important as devices become more sophisticated and connected.A key theme throughout the episode is the importance of building trust in the development process through automation, consistent practices, and cultural commitment. The hosts stress that while some practices may seem difficult to implement in embedded systems, the more challenging they are, the more valuable they become when successfully implemented.Timestamps and Topics:00:00:00 - Introduction and overview of Minimum CD00:02:00 - Discussion of Minimum CD as counter-movement to complex frameworks00:03:45 - Continuous Integration fundamentals00:15:35 - Pipeline as the only way to deploy00:27:00 - Production-like test environments00:29:45 - Rollback capabilities for connected devices00:32:25 - Configuration deployment with artifacts00:34:50 - Trunk-based development principles00:39:30 - Automated testing requirements00:41:10 - Maintaining delivered work integrity00:45:55 - Wrap-up and closing thoughtsShownotes:Link to minimumcd.org: https://minimumcd.org/ Reference to Brian Finster as instigator of Minimum CD Reference to Raymond Chen's blog about Windows backward compatibility Reference to previous episode on trunk-based development Reference to interviews with Philip Johnston from Embedded Artistry Reference to interview with Francois from Mend Fault Link to Agile Embedded Slack group You can find Jeff at https://jeffgable.com.You can find Luca at https://luca.engineer.Want to join the agile Embedded Slack? Click here

If your organization is laser-focused on epics, features, and user stories, you may want to shift your attention to something else that can have an even greater impact on your product or solution. Michele Lanzinger, strategic advisor at Scaled Agile, explains what and why in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Michele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

What's the best strategy for an organization undergoing a very large Agile transformation to see tangible, sustainable results? Scaled Agile strategic advisor Travis Moorer shares his tips in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Travis on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Organizations that focus solely on the planning part of PI Planning are missing out on the larger goal of the event. In this episode, Scaled Agile Strategic Advisor Michele Lanzinger explains why. Like what you hear? Connect with Michele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

In this special episode, host Andy Cleff breaks explosive news about the Agile Uprising's hostile takeover of the entire agile establishment. Listen as he reveals how the community-driven coalition has acquired PMI, Agile Alliance, ISO, and Scrum.org in one fell swoop—and why their surprise acquisition of Cologuard might be the most disruptive move of all. Learn about the immediate changes to certification processes, the dramatic condensing of the Scrum Guide, and the coalition's "more than generous offer" to Scaled Agile. This episode will leave you either cheering for the revolution or checking your calendar.. how close to the 91st day of the year are we? The agile world will never be the same... or will it? About the Agile Uprising If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a review, a rating, or leave comments on iTunes, Stitcher or your podcasting platform of choice. It really helps others find us.  Much thanks to the artist  from  who provided us our outro music free-of-charge!  If you like what you heard,     to find more music you might enjoy! If you'd like to join the discussion and share your stories,  please jump into the fray at our  We at the Agile Uprising are committed to being totally free.  However, if you'd like to contribute and help us defray hosting and production costs we do have a .  Who knows, you might even get some surprises in the mail! Sound Effects and Image Credits Ch-Ching.wav by hgernhardt -- https://freesound.org/s/402651/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Paper Shredder by aunrea -- https://freesound.org/s/495666/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Aha Agreement by kanyonwyvern -- https://freesound.org/s/713754/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 FX dramatic music.wav by v0idation -- https://freesound.org/s/115139/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Applause, huge, thunderous by peridactyloptrix -- https://freesound.org/s/196094/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 record scratch.wav by luffy -- https://freesound.org/s/3536/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Ba-Dum-Tish#1.wav by Timbre -- https://freesound.org/s/84427/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Ba-da-dum.wav by Simon_Lacelle -- https://freesound.org/s/37215/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Beep warning by SamsterBirdies -- https://freesound.org/s/467882/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 another magic wand spell tinkle.flac by Timbre -- https://freesound.org/s/221683/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 another magic wand spell tinkle.flac by Timbre -- https://freesound.org/s/221683/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Generic Interior Walla by brunoboselli -- https://freesound.org/s/757318/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 wah wah sad trombone.wav by kirbydx -- https://freesound.org/s/175409/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Party Pack, Balloons, Deflate, Moderate, 03-02.wav by InspectorJ -- https://freesound.org/s/484269/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 STORYENDING_02.wav by phantastonia -- https://freesound.org/s/617068/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 15.wav by adcbicycle -- https://freesound.org/s/13824/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 34-muchos papeles moviendose.wav by Tomycatts -- https://freesound.org/s/429340/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Human laughing - Various.wav by ThisIsMiniMe -- https://freesound.org/s/327396/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 FX wait 1.wav by v0idation -- https://freesound.org/s/115143/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Opening A Curtain.wav by EmilZendera98 -- https://freesound.org/s/446046/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 TaDa!.aif by jimhancock -- https://freesound.org/s/256128/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Megaphone via Freepik.com  

Why is it critical for organizations to follow up and act on outcomes from retrospectives and problem-solving workshops? Steve Adolph, strategic advisor with Scaled Agile, explains in this episode. Like what you hear? Connect with Steve on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

“More and more IT organizations are realizing that there's more to agility than just managing your projects in an Agile fashion … to deliver the value on your agility, you need to orient teams around outcomes to have them really relate to the business that they own and empower them.” In this episode, Adam talks to SAFe® Fellow Yuval Yuret about the evolution of product management. The conversation covers topics related to Agile transformation and product management, including how technology is driving change in the financial industry, the difference between how technology organizations apply product management compared to consumer product companies, and how a product operating model can help organizations become more product-centric. Like what you hear? Connect with Yuval on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Organizations practicing SAFe have questions as they work to incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) elements into their business strategy. In this episode, Odile Moreau, strategic advisor at Scaled Agile, offers tactical advice for including ESG using a popular prioritization model in SAFe. Like what you hear? Connect with Odile on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

“The portfolio leadership team are real human beings and they sometimes got into the position that they're in from being really good at a certain style of leadership that worked really well for execution and they're now asked to think from a more strategic point of view and … nobody helps them get to that point.” In this conversation, Adam talks to Rebecca Davis, SAFe methodologist on the Framework team about the importance of portfolio leadership and why it's back on people's radars. The two dive into topics including the difference between portfolio leaders and portfolio managers, the challenges portfolio leaders face, and the new, simplified Framework article that provides guidance on who should be on a portfolio leadership team and the critical behaviors and responsibilities that can make that team successful. Like what you hear? Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here. Read the new Portfolio Leadership article here. Learn more about the 2025 SAFe® Summit Sorrento, Italy here.

Shifting to an Agile way of working is much more than checking boxes for standups and user stories. In this episode, Harry Narang, transformation leader and Agile coach with Skillbook Academy discusses the importance of understanding the why behind Agile practices, rather than just implementing them at face value. Like what you hear? Connect with Harry on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

“Technology is evolving quickly … and the government is embracing that. And so as they look at modernization and transformation initiatives, how can we look at AI and machine learning and different ways to incorporate these technologies into improving their solutions, improving their services to their constituents, and then integrating that into this whole mindset of agility.” How does a small but mighty Agile consulting firm help government clients tackle the unique challenges and opportunities of large-scale enterprise transformation? Adam finds out in this episode with Beth Hatter, Director of Agile Training, and Jason Fair, CEO of Genesis Consulting Partners. The discussion covers topics including the influx of new, tech-savvy talent seeking to improve government services for citizens, how agencies are adopting a different approach to deliver and manage their products, and the opportunities ahead for both the government and Genesis Consulting. Like what you hear? Connect with Beth and Jason on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

As an organization starts its transformation, it's critical that leadership is actively involved. In this episode, Michael Robertson, Enterprise Coach at Engaged Agility, and SPCT candidate, shares his tips to engage leaders. He also explains why things aren't always what they seem when leaders appear to be uninterested. Like what you hear? Connect with Michael on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Bryan Finster's episode on Luca's DevOps podcast. part one: https://open.spotify.com/episode/26cnxrZEWhQRxY3jkwQTb8?si=Fj3VtirDRU-l2xQAomrWUwBryan Finster's episode on Luca's DevOps podcast. part two: https://open.spotify.com/episode/36U6glqDPuvkpPwrdD8Axv?si=8T9isqUHS6WBh1aQyZEXGAScaled Agile DevOps Maturity Framework (SADMF), a SAFe parody: https://scaledagiledevops.com/Klaus Leopold's Flight Levels framework: https://www.flightlevels.io/ You can find Jeff at https://jeffgable.com.You can find Luca at https://luca.engineer.Want to join the agile Embedded Slack? Click here

Organizations know that it's important to use various tools and approaches to build better systems faster. In this episode, Robin Yemen, Space Domain Lead at Carnegie Mellon University elaborates on that topic and offers a different perspective on specializing. Like what you hear? Connect with Robin on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

“Architecture should be leading the delivery, not just the parts … And when I say delivery, I don't mean the tech delivery. I mean the overall business product delivery.” This episode explores the evolution of digital transformation and the role of architecture in enabling product-centric thinking and Agile delivery. Adam talks to Ravi Purushothaman, Director, Head of Enterprise Agility, and Logan Daigle, Director of Business Transformation, both with NTT Data. The three dive into topics including the importance of architects leading the delivery process, the challenges of transforming legacy “brownfield” environments versus building new “greenfield” solutions, and the need for a holistic, product-oriented approach. Ravi and Logan also share how they think leaders can best support product-centric thinking in any organization undergoing a digital transformation. Like what you hear? Connect with Ravi and Logan on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Whether you're a Release Train Engineer (RTE), a member of the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE), a Scrum Master, or another type of coach, artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance your skills. Roni Dolev Tamani, Lead Lean-Agile Coach with AgileSparks and SPCT candidate, explains how. Like what you hear? Connect with Roni on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

When an organization is building a product for its customers, why does predictability rise to the top as most important? Javier Morillo, SPCT candidate and Agile coach at Estratecno explains. Like what you hear? Connect with Javier on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Agile in Hardware: Agile Transformation in a Hardware Organization, Wärtsilä Case Study with Henna Torkkola nd Maarit Laanti In this Agile in Hardware episode, Henna Torkkola and Maarit Laanti share the pioneering journey of integrating Agile practices into Wärtsilä's Marine R&D, particularly within the ambitious New Product Development (NPD) program for advanced engine technology. From fostering collaboration across the value stream to embracing simulation and hybrid Agile approaches, they offer insights into how Agile has reshaped R&D processes. Henna and Maarit explain how bringing Agile to hardware isn't about imposing frameworks but adopting a collaborative, flexible mindset that inspires productivity and innovation across teams. Starting with a Vision for Agile in Product Development Henna and Maarit delve into the origins of Wärtsilä's Agile journey, recounting how the NPD program, initiated in 2018, was envisioned to deliver faster releases, co-create with stakeholders, and establish a more satisfying work culture for program teams. Moving beyond traditional project stages, the company embraced Agile methods to accommodate real-time adjustments and maintain a competitive edge. “Agile success in hardware starts when you focus on the values behind the practices—not just calling it Agile.” Expanding the Agile Mindset Across the Value Stream Originally designed as an R&D initiative, the program expanded to engage the entire value stream, including sourcing and manufacturing. Henna explains how cross-departmental collaboration was achieved through inclusive events and ceremonies, bringing in diverse stakeholders from the start. This broad integration marked a shift from isolated R&D to a holistic approach involving the entire value chain, creating a product developed with inputs from every angle. “Cross-functional collaboration is crucial; bring everyone to the table early and celebrate wins together.” Integrating Manufacturing for a Smooth NPD Transition To bridge the gap between R&D and manufacturing, the team included design-for-manufacturing experts from the outset, ensuring seamless transitions and early feedback. The addition of quick real-world testing strategies like using a single-cylinder prototype and rolling-wave planning enabled the NPD program to adapt plans incrementally while collecting feedback earlier in the process compared to previous programs. “Invite manufacturing to R&D's early stages—you'll tackle issues before they escalate.” Blending Traditional and Agile Models for Hardware Innovation The team adopted a hybrid model that merges Agile's flexibility with traditional gate-check models, evolving over time as teams moved away from rigid milestones. By focusing on early feedback and iterative adjustments, they avoided process bottlenecks and fostered a product-centric mindset. “Don't get stuck on milestones; prioritize feedback loops to keep product goals aligned with real-world needs.” Simulation and Small-Scale Testing: Essential Tools for Fast Feedback Both simulation and small-scale testing proved essential to the program's agility, facilitating rapid feedback and enabling team alignment. With testing and simulation experts working alongside designers, the process quickly highlighted practical improvements, creating a more effective pathway from R&D concepts to production-ready components. “Invest in simulations—they give you insights much faster, aligning design with manufacturing realities.” Synchronization and Common Planning: Enabling Transparency and Efficiency Henna and Maarit underscore the benefits of synchronization and common planning cadences across the R&D teams, enhancing transparency and team spirit. These synchronizations empowered teams to independently manage priorities while aligning with organizational goals, creating an ecosystem where collaboration and autonomy coexist. “A synchronized cadence empowers teams, letting them take charge of plans within a unified vision.” Pivoting to Sustainable Fuel: Adapting Agile to Changing Requirements As the market focus shifted towards sustainability, the NPD program swiftly integrated sustainable fuels like ammonia into development. Thanks to the Agile-inspired adaptability, the program adjusted its trajectory, positioning Wärtsilä to lead in environmentally conscious engine development with a product-first mindset that welcomed change. “With Agile, your process adapts to change—making room for innovations like sustainable fuel in real-time.” Resources for Agile Enthusiasts in Hardware and Product Development For listeners eager to dive deeper, Henna and Maarit recommend: Flexible Product Development: Agile Hardware Development to Liberate Innovation by Preston Smith White papers on Agile in hardware, particularly those available on WikiAgile About Henna Torkkola and Maarit Laanti Henna Torkkola is an Agile coach at Wärtsilä's Marine R&D, focusing on Future Fuels and New Product Development. With expertise in banking and Agile transformations, she holds a Master's in Human Resource Management and is passionate about the cultural impact of Agile. You can link with Henna Torkkola on LinkedIn. Maarit Laanti, a pioneering Agile coach and co-founder of WikiAgile, is the author of the first PhD on Agile in a scaled environment. She has led transformative Agile initiatives at Nokia and contributed to the SAFe framework. A global authority on Lean and Agile, she is recognized for advancing Agile scaling in hardware. You can link with Maarit Laanti on LinkedIn.

“The language people are using now is ‘we're on this continuous journey of improvement' and the ability to adapt the Framework has always been there. … Rather than make it something that you have to discover for yourself, we want to make it part of the fabric of the Framework.” In this episode, Adam talks to Andrew Sales, Chief Methodologist at Scaled Agile, about making SAFe more accessible, understandable, and adaptable for organizations. The two discuss the why behind reimagining SAFe, the focus on clearly explaining the purpose and rationale behind the practices, the intentional design of the new Big Picture and reworked articles, and the future evolution of the Framework. Like what you hear? Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. Check out the new Big Picture. Explore SAFe courses here.

If an Agile Release Train (ART) is a team of Agile teams, how do you make sure your teams are collaborating effectively? In this episode, Mohamed Zouaghi, Lean-Agile coach and transformation architect, shares his tips. Like what you hear? Connect with Mohamed on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

“The value of the enterprise strategy room is to bring forward the information that the enterprise leaders need to do their jobs, enable others to be successful, and support the things that most need support at that moment.” Tune in as Adam talks to Rebecca Davis, Methodologist for the Framework Team, and Saahil Panikar, SPCT and CIO at Atlas Revolutions, about the concept of an enterprise strategy room—a tool designed to help leaders reconnect portfolio performance data to the overall enterprise strategy. The discussion dives into what benefits the enterprise strategy room aims to achieve and why it's the right forum to make informed decisions to drive the business forward, the growing need to focus less on transformation and more on achieving the benefits of having transformed, and pitfalls to avoid. Like what you hear? Connect with Rebecca and Saahil on LinkedIn. Read the Enabling Strategic Alignment with an Enterprise Strategy Room article. Explore SAFe courses here.

In this episode, Stefano Giovannini Agile Transformation Director at Capgemini Invent, shares a story from the field about a recent PI Planning event that he and his team supported for a financial services company. He shares what they learned and what they'll do differently in the future to improve. Like what you hear? Connect with Stefano on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Karla Merza: The Importance of Separating Yourself from an Agile Project Failure 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. In this episode, Karla shares her challenging experience as a junior Scrum Master managing two teams in a large corporation. She reflects on how the teams were overwhelmed due to leadership decisions and her struggle to handle the situation. Karla emphasizes the need for Scrum Masters to separate personal responsibility from the project's failure and offers valuable tips for staying motivated in tough situations. Self-reflection Question: How do you handle situations where a project's failure feels personal to you? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Jelena Vucinic: Leading Change in a Large Scaled Agile Organization 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. Jelena shares her experience leading change in a large scaled agile organization with 200 engineering teams. The change involved restructuring roles, connecting teams closer to customers, and a significant mindset shift. Jelena emphasizes the importance of introducing changes slowly, being transparent, and keeping communication open. She highlights the need to empower leaders with tools and support while collecting continuous feedback throughout the process. Self-reflection Question: What steps can you take to ensure that change initiatives are sustainable in your organization? Leave your answer in the comments, let's get this conversation started! About Jelena Vucinic Jelena is a self-conscious perfectionist and an everlasting optimist. She is deeply curious about the way people interact. After listening attentively, she likes to ask open questions that often help to reflect and improve collaboration. Jelena believes that every single person makes a difference, and she is dedicated to helping teams and leaders unlock their potential. You can link with Jelena Vucinic on LinkedIn.

“In all the SAFe transformations I've been involved in, there have been struggles for managers. I often meet people who suddenly have their staff moving into teams and ARTs, and those people get a lot of guidance, training, and support from coaches. And they're well-equipped to take on that mindset shift. But for managers ... they are left to somehow figure it out themselves.” In this episode, Adam talks to Mikael Broomé, Lean-Agile coach and SPCT candidate at Think Flow in Sweden, and Dr. Steve Mayner, VP Framework, Methodologist, and SAFe Fellow at Scaled Agile, Inc., about new guidance that offers managers much-needed support throughout this transition. The trio discusses topics including the challenges managers face, why investing in training and development for managers is crucial, and why organizations should create parallel career paths for managers. Like what you hear? Connect with Mikael and Steve on LinkedIn. Read the new guidance article, The Role of People Managers in SAFe. Explore SAFe courses here.

Sometimes, how you frame something can make all the difference. In this episode, Mylène Boutet, Manager of the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) at Amadeus in France, shares how she helped the HR department have a bigger impact on the company's Agile transformation. Like what you hear? Connect with Mylène on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

As your organization progresses through an Agile transformation, how do you make SAFe—and ultimately business agility—stick? In this episode, Baptise Galea, manager of the Lean-Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) for FedEx in Europe, shares three key tips around people, communication, and culture. Like what you hear? Connect with Baptiste on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Richard Coplan: From Skeptic to Believer, Embracing SAFe for Agile Success 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. Richard recounts his experience with a Pharma company implementing SAFe. Initially skeptical of the framework, he learned its value, particularly in the context of PI Planning, which became a key driver for collaboration between Product Owners and Scrum teams. Richard offers practical tips for using Miro and emphasizes the importance of pre-planning activities, such as the value-effort game, to prioritize work effectively.   [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with change? The Lean Change Management framework is a fully defined, lean-startup inspired change framework that can be used as the backbone of any change process! You can buy Lean Change Management the book at Amazon. Also available in French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.   About Richard Coplan Richard joins us from the UK. He has been a software developer for many years and later became data-centric, eventually transitioning into the role of Scrum Master. Over the past decade, Richard has specialized as a Scrum Master and Agile Coach, with a focus on collaboration tools like Miro and helping firms streamline their team structures.   You can link with Richard Coplan on LinkedIn.

“I had a bet with some folks during an engagement a couple of years ago … that if I ever say ‘SAFe says' then I have to do 10 burpees. That's the rule because it's not about dogma. It's about how can we facilitate conversations and find different ways to explore things.” In this episode, Adam talks to Tim Jackson, SPCT and Agile coach, who actually learned about Agile and product management from being in a band. The two discuss topics including why it's important to be pragmatic when implementing frameworks like SAFe, the value of effective discovery to understand the real problems and goals before jumping into a solution, and the distinction between consulting and coaching and how to be aware of your own limitations. Like what you hear? Connect with Tim on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Looking for another tool to add to your coaching toolkit? In this episode, Tim Jackson, SPCT, Agile coach, and trainer, explains the OSCAR coaching model and how to use it to guide a conversation and help people take meaningful action on something that is important to them. Like what you hear? Connect with Tim on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

What's the difference between transaction costs and holding costs? Is working in smaller batch sizes always best? SPC Aishwarya Radhakrishnan with Deloitte explains and shares clarifying examples. Like what you hear? Connect with Aishwarya on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

“How do we get you from a culture of getting things done to a culture of process innovation at the core? We can compute what the opportunity value of a change would be and how speeding up your processes and increasing your throughput … actually relates to real-world value and real-world returns.” In this episode, Adam talks to Millie Paniccia, Brian Paniccia, and Devan Corona with TecVeris about the company's AI-powered value stream mapping platform, nVeris. The group talks about why Millie's and Brian's personal experiences led them to start TecVeris and how that founding mission motivated the organization to make value stream management more collaborative, interactive, and accessible to more organizations and industries. The discussion also dives into how nVeris uses AI to help organizations quickly and collaboratively map out value streams and quantify the business impact of improving their processes. “For a lot of people, when they see their value stream mapped out end to end, that's the first time they've ever seen it in their lives. Seeing future states and what could become with a little process innovation is another aha moment. We keep those in mind at every step of the process.” Like what you hear? Connect with Millie, Brian, and Devan on LinkedIn. Sign up for a special extended nVeris trial offer here. Explore SAFe courses here.

It's not uncommon for Agile teams to encounter challenges as they try to improve efficiency in their product delivery flow. In this episode, Mahesh Varadharajan, SPCT and SAFe practice lead at KnowledgeHut explains why this happens and offers some insights and tips on how to overcome those challenges. Like what you hear? Connect with Mahesh on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

How do you talk to a senior leader about why agility is good for your organization? In this episode, SAFe® Strategic Advisor and SPCT Michele Lanzinger shares some key suggestions. Hint: it has a lot to do with language. Like what you hear? Connect with Michele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

A lot of changes happen when companies organize and reorganize around value, which can feel overwhelming. In this episode, SAFe® Fellow and SPCT Eric Willeke from Shaping Agility shares his tips for what to focus on and when, as well as four key things to do to achieve flow throughout your portfolio. Like what you hear? Connect with Eric on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Working in smaller batches increases flow. But splitting a sticky note into smaller pieces doesn't guarantee that those doing the work will achieve business goals. In today's episode, Strategic Advisor and SPCT Rune Christensen explains why and how enabling team members on solid old and new technical practices can be a big advantage. Like what you hear? Connect with Rune on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Organizations worldwide are creating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives to demonstrate their commitment to social issues and meet sustainability goals. In today's episode, Odile Moreau, SPCT and strategic and ESG advisor at Scaled Agile, shares how you can use SAFe to achieve those goals. Like what you hear? Connect with Odile on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

"We chase job titles, and then we chase salary, and we chase status, but we don't chase our version of happiness and success." In this episode, Adam talks to Adele Leah, a personal branding expert and career coach, about personal and professional growth. The two discuss why a personal brand is valuable, why evolving your career requires continuous growth, and the importance of finding happiness in work. The conversation touches on having clarity about your skills, strengths, and values, and the need to show your human side. Adele also offers advice and insights on how to start building your own personal brand. Like what you hear? Connect with Adele on LinkedIn. Explore SAFe courses here.

Esther Schmit: Tips for Effective SAFe Implementation, Even if Teams are Already Using Agile Processes 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, we discuss scaling in Agile, and the challenges of transitioning teams from Scrum or other team-level Agile processes, to SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework). Esther describes common anti-patterns and resistance to change. She also shares insights on how to support teams, managers, and Scrum Masters through Agile coaching and other support groups, like community of practice.    [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with change? The Lean Change Management framework is a fully defined, lean-startup inspired change framework that can be used as the backbone of any change process! You can buy Lean Change Management the book at Amazon. Also available in French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.   About Esther Schmit Esther is a freelance Agile Coach and Scrum Master, leading Agile Pro Center, which provides online Agile Coaching, Training, and Mentoring for Scrum Masters. Esther also hosts the Online Scrum Master Summit. You can link with Esther Schmit on LinkedIn, and visit her site Agile Gatherings.

Kirsi Sahlstén: Understanding the Complexities of Driving A Large Scale Agile Transformation 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, Kirsi helps us understand the complexities of leading change in a large organization. She shares how a change team with representatives from various roles and a virtual setup facilitated a smooth transition to new teams. The use of pulse surveys, questionnaires, and a transparent Kanban board helped maintain alignment and trust throughout the process. Kirsi offers practical tips, such as starting with a common cadence and allowing teams to adjust later, and the importance of self-reflection surveys for continuous improvement. Discover the techniques that made this reorganization a success.   [IMAGE HERE] As Scrum Master we work with change continuously! Do you have your own change framework that provides the guidance, and queues you need when working with change? The Lean Change Management framework is a fully defined, lean-startup inspired change framework that can be used as the backbone of any change process! You can buy Lean Change Management the book at Amazon. Also available in French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.   About Kirsi Sahlstén Kirsi is a wanna-be neuroscientist and full-stack developer who, in real life, ended up as an Agile coach. She is passionate about sparking and enabling learning and unlearning, working together across boundaries, and focusing on the essential. Her favorite question is "Why?" and she is fascinated by the complexity of simplicity. You can link with Kirsi Sahlstén on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: One and a half year ago, I joined my current team as a tech lead, in an organisation that uses ‘Scaled Agile'. This was my first time joining an organisation that employed dedicated Scrum masters. In previous organisations, the role of Scrum master would usually fall upon a team member that felt comfortable doing so, and the last couple of years that ended up being me. I feel this worked out well and I managed to create teams that were communicating well and constantly iterating and improving. Upon joining the team, I noticed that despite having a dedicated Scrum master, the team was not doing sprint reviews or retrospectives, and it felt like every team member was on an island of their own. In the months that followed I tried to reinstate these and improve teamwork and communication, but often felt blocked by the Scrum master's inertia. Eventually, they were let go and a new Scrum master was hired. This new collaboration did also not work out. They didn't have enough of a technical background to engage with impediments, were trying to micromanage team members during Standups, and would continually try to skip or shorten retrospectives. If retrospectives were to occur at my insistence, they would try to determine actions without the team's input, only to not do them and never look back at the outcome. Two months ago the new Scrum master was let go and I was asked to take over their duties in the meantime. Ever since, it feels like the team finally owns their own Scrum process. Our collaboration is not perfect, but we're finally tracking measurements, evaluating retrospective actions, and iterating as a team. However, the organisation wants us to go back to having a dedicated Scrum master. I'm not against this, but I'm afraid the next Scrum master might undo our efforts. How do we as a team navigate this situation to get an optimal outcome? A listener named Max asks, I've been working in a Data Engineering department at a mid-size product company for over 5 years. When I joined, we had a well-balanced team in terms of average proficiency - some juniors, some middles, and a few seniors. Over these years, we've developed a great internal culture where people can grow to a senior level pretty easily. The company itself is wonderful to work for, and we have a pretty low “churn rate” - most of my colleagues are highly motivated and don't want to leave. As a result, we now have only senior and staff engineers in the team. This is well-deserved - they all are great professionals, highly productive, and invaluable for the company, having domain knowledge and understanding of how all our systems work. Management wants them to take on only senior-plus-level tasks, which are usually larger projects and initiatives that involve a lot of collaboration with other departments, process changes or technical initiatives affecting our engineering practices. They have two reasons for this: 1) management doesn't want to waste the time of such skilled professionals on smaller tasks; 2) management cares a lot about people's morale, because losing them would be very harmful for the whole company, so they don't want people to take on small and boring tasks. At the same time, we have a HUGE backlog of tech debt, small improvements and refactoring initiatives. Ideally, we would hire 3-4 additional middle and junior engineers to share all backlogs with them, but we now have a hiring freeze. The amount of tech debt is starting to damage team morale on its own, and I feel like we have an unspoken deadline to deal with this problem, which could be someone's burnout and departure, or a major outage in some vital services we support caused by ignoring tech debt. How would you approach the problem of overseniority? I appreciate any advice, and thanks again for the show.