In this Ask a Professional Scrum Trainer episode, Patricia Kong moderates a discussion with Simon Flossmann and Stas Pavlov tackling listener questions on the challenges of Product Backlog Management. They explore techniques for prioritization, balancing technical debt, and improving transparency with stakeholders. From leveraging the Kano model and Magic estimation to using tools like Miro and Monte Carlo simulations for forecasting, they provide actionable insights to help teams refine their backlog effectively. Tune in for expert advice on optimizing backlog management for better product outcomes!

In this Scrum.org Community Podcast episode, our host Dave West speaks with Bilal Alawiye, Agile Coach Lead at Sanofi’s Accelerator, and Stephen Sykes, co-founder of Scrum Match. Bilal shares how Sanofi’s Accelerator transformed its approach to Scrum Mastery. The discussion highlights challenges like mechanical Scrum and the evolving role of Scrum Masters in fostering a product-focused culture, making their contributions transparent, and addressing business complexities. They explore how Sanofi’s Accelerator partnered with Scrum Match to enhance Scrum Master recruitment, emphasizing the importance of domain knowledge, product orientation, and value delivery. 

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In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West sits down with Sander Dur and Ryan Brook, authors of Solving for Value: A Journey of Ambition and Stupidity. This unique "bar book" combines a fictional story with actionable insights and real-world advice on Scrum and agility. The authors discuss the importance of prioritizing value over process, self-management, and transparency while highlighting common anti-patterns like mindless Scrum adoption, flawed scaling efforts, and rigid roadmaps. They also share their collaborative, iterative writing process and how humor plays a crucial role in connecting with readers. Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends empathy, humor, and practical guidance for tackling Scrum challenges.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Omar Ahmed, a Scrum Master from the UK, shares his inspiring journey from a mechanical engineering background to becoming a Scrum Master. Starting in a defense company with a waterfall-driven culture, Omar recounts how a pivotal encounter during a continuous improvement course introduced him to Scrum.

Omar dives into the challenges of transitioning to agile practices, emphasizing the critical roles of team empowerment, psychological safety, and staying true to personal values. He reflects on balancing career aspirations with serving his team and offers valuable advice for new Scrum Masters, including the importance of resilience, networking, and leading organizational change.

Omar also discusses his current role in a defense and aerospace organization undergoing a top-down agile transformation, showcasing the impact of strong leadership support. Tune in for insights, lessons, and encouragement for navigating the rewarding path of a Scrum Master.

In this episode of Scrum Master Real Talk, host Dave West chats with Jim Sparks, a Scrum Master from Dayton, Ohio, about his accidental journey into agility. Jim shares how he discovered a passion for servant leadership, the evolution of his role toward delivery accountability, and how he tackles challenges like leading without authority and overcoming resistance to Scrum—especially in government and cybersecurity contexts.

Jim’s advice for Scrum Masters is simple yet profound: never stop learning, build strong networks, and approach the accountability with humility and fun. Tune in to hear Jim’s inspiring story, actionable tips, and insights on balancing servant leadership with delivery focus.

Patricia Kong is back to flip the script and interview Dave about Product Definition, answering remaining questions from his webinar on the topic a few weeks ago. 
Dave covers:

• Challenges in Moving to a Product Organization
• Impact of Digital Products and Organizational Complexity
• Transitioning to a Product Model
• Core vs. Context in Product Portfolio
• Role of AI in Product Development

Tune in for great insights!

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Andreas Whitla, a Scrum Master from Germany, shares his inspiring journey from transforming an economically troubled hospital with Agile principles to working with diverse organizations across the globe.

Andreas reflects on key lessons for Scrum Masters, including:

• Balancing learning with delivery to foster team growth.
• Navigating cultural differences and managing conflicts effectively.
• Leveraging tools from unexpected fields, like couples therapy, to enhance team dynamics.

He also offers actionable advice for new Scrum Masters, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge, recognizing team strengths, and creating a personal backlog for continuous improvement.

Tune in for an engaging conversation on the creative and impactful aspects of Scrum Mastery!

In der Scrum.org „Ask A Professional Scrum Trainer“-Serie bietet sich die Möglichkeit, unmittelbar in einer Live-Session mit einem Professional Scrum Trainer (PST) in Kontakt zu treten. Dort bekommst du die drängendsten Fragen zu deinen Herausforderungen und Situationen, mit denen dein Scrum Team konfrontiert ist, beantwortet.

Solltest du also dringende Fragen zu Scrum haben, dann ist diese Session für dich!  

Triff PST Gregor Stuhldreier zu einer deutschen Ausgabe von “Ask a PST”. 

In this episode - we kick off a new series - Scrum Master Real Talk, where Dave interviews Scrum Masters in the field sharing what they really do!

In this episode Yannick van der Wende, a Scrum Master from the Netherlands working at Team Rockstars IT, shares his journey from a Microsoft.NET developer to a Scrum Master, highlighting his experiences at various organizations. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to a Scrum Master role, including managing dependencies in data teams at Ascent Energy and fostering psychological safety. 

Yannick emphasizes the importance of understanding team dynamics, leveraging ADHD for quick problem-solving, and creating a neurodiverse environment. He advises new Scrum Masters to build psychological safety, understand team goals, and maintain transparency. Yannick also stressed the need for Scrum Masters to adapt to evolving team needs and leverage diverse perspectives for innovative solutions.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Jay Rahman and Darrell Fernandes join host Dave West to explore the integration of AI—specifically, Large Language Models (LLMs)—within Scrum Teams. Jay cautions against focusing solely on AI technology without factoring in the human element, underscoring the ongoing need for critical roles like Product Owners and Scrum Masters. Darrell highlights AI's potential to disrupt and accelerate but stresses the need for a structured approach that aligns with Agile values. Together, they discuss AI's impact on team dynamics, product ownership, and the holistic approach required—mission, management, and mechanics—to drive successful AI adoption.

In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Mik Kersten, CTO at Planview, returns to chat with Dave about the movement from project-centric to product-driven models, reflecting on the recent Project to Product event where they both spoke. 

Together, they explore how pragmatic organizations are embracing product operating models, underscoring the need for executive sponsorship, business alignment, and visibility into flow metrics. Kersten shares valuable lessons from Vanguard’s success, the challenges of technical debt, and the importance of infrastructure for sustained transformation. 

Tune in to learn why Mik and Dave are optimistic about the future of product-based models, especially with agile and DevOps practices setting the foundation for success.