
The Agile Compass
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The Story Point Illusion: Why “Per Person Velocity” is a Corporate Fairy Tale
Unpack the concept of story points and why measuring them per person is a misguided approach to team effectiveness.
If You Think TDD Means Automated Tests, You’re Missing the Point
Test-driven development is often confused with automated testing. But having automated tests is a far cry from the benefits of TDD
Why Do Organizations Want to “Go Agile”? – A Brutally Honest Look at Real and Misguided Motivations—for Coaches and Decision-Makers
A Brutally Honest Look at Real and Misguided Motivations—for Coaches and Decision-Makers
Respect: The Missing Ingredient in Your Agile Transformation
Why respect isn’t just a soft value — but your system’s only real chance at speed.
Respect: The Missing Ingredient in Your Agile Transformation
Why respect isn’t just a soft value — but your system’s only real chance at speed.
Learned Helplessness: The Hidden Barrier to Agility
Why your team isn’t stepping up—and what you can do about it.
Learned Helplessness: The Hidden Barrier to Agility
Why your team isn’t stepping up—and what you can do about it.
Stop Praising Suffering: Rethinking “Hard Work” and Finding True Productivity
Ever notice how, deep down, a lot of us still believe work is supposed to hurt?
The AI Developer Apocalypse Might Be the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Software Engineering
provocative opinion: AI will increase the demand for skilled software engineers.
Are Your Most Respected Practices Now Your Greatest Risk?
Why old rituals won’t protect you—and how to outgrow your sword worship.
How to See the Future Before It Happens
Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing world.
Low Performance Is a Leadership Problem, Not a People Problem
Do low performers exist? Learn how labeling people is not the solution and actually exacerbates the problem.
How Apollo 13 Proved the Power of Distributed Leadership
Understand the unique leadership style that enabled Apollo 13’s survival. Empowering teams can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
The Story Points Trap: How We Lost Sight of Real Value
Learn how to use velocity effectively within your team dynamics. It is a tool for insights, not a vanity metric to chase.
One Game. One Lesson. A Lifetime of Impact.
Why do games in coaching work so well? What exactly makes them effective?
How to Respond When Teams Say Their Work Doesn’t Fit a Fixed Sprint
Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches get this objection regularly from engineering teams. This week’s article is about how to reply.
Want High-Performing Teams? Focus on Motivation That Lasts
In our agile profession, where adaptability and speed are often hailed as the keystones of success, lies an often-overlooked element that quietly dict
Does a 60-Hour Workweek Make You a Productivity Beast—or Just Burnt Out?
Uncover the myths around productivity. Does working long hours really lead to better results? The answer may surprise you.
Why Laughter Is a Better Indicator than Velocity
What about some laughter? Could this be a better metric than LOC, velocity & co?
The Pitfall Of Customer-Driven Decision-Making (And How To Avoid It)
Does your product manager do what the customers tell them to do? They need to stop!
PATI: The Fast-Track to Empowered Teams and Better Decisions
is your team waiting for key decisions from management? Is progressed slowed by endless approval meetings?
Better Feedback, Stronger Teams: The Magic of Wise Crowds
Collaboration across departments? Here is a way to do it!
Agile Transformations Fail in Isolation—Here’s How to Make Them Thrive
How to make agile transformations way more successful?
Self-Managing Teams: The Competitive Edge Your Organization Needs
Transition from traditional management to self-management. Uncover strategies and tools that enhance team dynamics and performance.
Forget These 5 Dangerous Best Practices in Agile!
Which dangerous best practices to avoid in agility?
5 things a Scrum Master does NOT do
The role of a Scrum Master is often misunderstood. There’s a lot of confusion about what they should—and shouldn’t—do
Your experiments are failing—good! But are you failing the right way?
As the year winds down, here’s a thought: Are we celebrating the right kind of success?
An agile Christmas story ?
Join Santa’s Workshop on an amusing adventure as they navigate the chaos of adopting a new corporate craze. Will efficiency be the key to a successful Christmas?
Why Limiting Work-in-Progress (WIP) Is a Game-Changer
Does limiting work-in-progress (WIP) sound counter-intuitive to you? You’re not alone.
Pass this on: Debunking Common Myths About Agile
Clearing up the misconceptions about agile. Understand the truth behind agile methodologies for successful products.