Ron Smith SPC - Waking Up Agile: A Guide to Living Agile Every Day

  By Ron Smith SPC Agile project management is all about flexibility, efficiency, and delivering value to customers. But how do you measure success in such a dynamic environment? Understanding the right metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is essential for any Scrum Master, Product Owner, or team member venturing into the Agile world. In this post, we will explore the most relevant Agile metrics that help in tracking the progress and success of Agile projects. Photo by Alistair MacRobert on Unsplash 1. Velocity: The Pace of Progress Velocity is a fundamental metric in Agile. It measures the amount of work a team completes during a sprint. This is typically calculated in story points or hours. Understanding velocity helps in future sprint planning, as it gives a realistic view of the team’s capacity. However, it’s important not to fall into the trap of comparing velocities across teams, as each team's working dynamics and story point assessment can vary greatly. V...

By Ron Smith SPC This article provides insights and guidance for new Scrum Masters entering a scaled scrum or SAFe environment, covering topics such as role and responsibilities, transitioning to the role, training and certification, understanding the SAFe framework, agile project management, facilitation and team collaboration, challenges and expectations, and navigating scrum events. The New Scrum Master: Navigating the Scaled Scrum or SAFe Environment Congratulations on your new role as a Scrum Master! Stepping into this position marks an exciting and challenging transition, especially in a scaled scrum or SAFe environment. As you embark on this journey, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of the primary responsibilities of a Scrum Master in this context. In a scaled scrum or SAFe environment, a Scrum Master is tasked with coaching, facilitating, and leading the team (or teams). For both mature and new teams (see THIS article on navigating the particular challen...

This article explores the characteristics, strategies, roles, frameworks, best practices, techniques, benefits, and maintenance of building a high-performing agile team. The  Characteristics of a High-Performing Agile Team  Building a high-performing agile team involves various key characteristics that contribute to its success. For instance, these teams engage in participative leadership, where all members have the opportunity to provide input and make decisions, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment among team members.  High-performing agile teams demonstrate the ability to work with urgency and focus, ensuring that they prioritize tasks effectively and deliver results efficiently. An example of this can be seen in a software development team where members collaborate closely to address urgent bug fixes or implement critical features in a timely manner, showcasing their commitment to achieving the team's goals. Moreover, these teams are characterized by their ...