On this episode, Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel responds and discusses some typical complaints or gripes with agile practices and agilists in general. 0:00 Topic Intro: Gripes with Agile 0:26 Om's Immediate Response 2:25 Agile Has No Deadlines 5:08 Lack of Product 7:30 Giving Deadlines 9:43 No Documentation 11:47 Formality of Handoffs 16:36 No Long Term Planning 21:31 Systems Design & Architecture 25:20 Locking Down Scope (Scope Creep) 28:04 Inadequate Testing 32:36 Wrap-Up = = = = = = = ...
Sep 13, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 129
If everybody needs change management, then why are we so bad at it? Today, returning Arguing Agile guest Stormy Dickson stops by for an in-depth discussion on change management, including: Why Having a Coach is a HUGE Bonus A Summary of "Leading Change" by John Kotter (from AA60) Where Change Typically Breaks Down The Importance of Setting and Communicating a Solid Vision The Importance of Short Term, Quick Wins What Happens When Leaders Fail Moving Forward with Assumption versus Evidence Consol...
Sep 06, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Product Manager Brian Orlando has the absolute pleasure of sitting down to talk agile transformations with the dynamic duo of Agility Coaching - William Kremner and Om Patel! Listen as we discuss the pain points that organizations face that lead them to consider agility and as we offer advice on how to overcome these challenges. Pain points aside, we also banter about: Aligning Stakeholders with Change Avoiding "Bubbles of Agility Courage in #Coaching Experimentation The Importance of Small Wins...
Aug 30, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Offshoring in Software Development 0:00 Topic Intro: Offshoring 0:28 Cost of Labor 3:06 Not So Pure Cost 5:31 Product Quality 9:08 Larger Talent Pool 12:16 Replacing Employees (Attribution) 13:50 Time Zones (24/7 Development) 19:36 Irreconcilable Time Zone Differences 21:37 Less Support Staff 24:30 Missionaries, Not Mercenaries 25:52 Collaboration & Culture 31:19 Partners 33:31 Real Perspectives on Hiring Mercenaries 38:03 Counterpoint (Shoe Store Example) 41:52 Wrap-Up 42:40 Being "Southern...
Aug 23, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 126
Are you a Scrum Master or Product Manager serving on multiple teams? Are you feeling overwhelmed, or have you noticed certain problems that you can't quite put a name to? It could be that you've got one team (or a couple teams) too many! On this episode, Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel and Product Manager Brian Orlando discuss the effects of serving on multiple teams. We discuss some situations and conditions that mitigate the effects of overload, and many that cause overload! 0:00 Topic Intro...
Aug 16, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 125
The team constantly scans for impediments. The scrum master should be "causing the removal of impediments." ...but how? In this episode, Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel and Product Manager Brian Orlando deep dive into the world of impediments. Are impediments the same as blockers? Is a dependency an impediment? How do we deal with organizational design and communication between teams as an impediment? What happened to Brian's hair?!? All these discussions and more, on this episode of Arguing A...
Aug 09, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 124
This episode promises to broaden your understanding of the Product Requirements Document's (PRD) significance as you join an experienced agile coach and a seasoned product manager as they deconstruct the PRD in Agile Software Development. Delve into real-world examples like the Amazon Six Pager to understand how these documents contribute to clarity and alignment within the team. Explore the importance (or not) of helpful documentation and check out Brian's Miro Board in action and how it challe...
Aug 02, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Ayo is back to talk about his experience with the same person serving as both Scrum Master and Product Owner. With a different take on this topic, Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel and Product Manager Brian Orlando explore what to do if you might be in this position rather than the textbook concept of "should" or "can" one person play both roles. 0:00 Topic Intro 0:42 The Textbook Answer 2:14 Ayo's Experience 4:16 Brian's Start in Product 7:38 Om's First Product Experience 8:18 Conflict of Inter...
Jul 26, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 122
What happens when self organization goes off the rails? Join another riveting episode as your hosts - an agile coach and a product manager -dive deep into the fascinating world of self-organization within agile teams! From cancelling sprint events to dealing with conflicts, your hosts explore various subjects that impact team dynamics and project success! Discover valuable insights on leadership's viewpoint, the product's role, feedback loops, communication, and more! Learn how to address decrea...
Jul 19, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 121
The CEO of AirBnB Brian Chesky made some (probably unintentional) waves when he announced at Figma's Config 2023 that he had eliminated the role of Product Manager. In this podcast, we watch and respond to the entire talk. We dig past the clickbait and discuss the context behind his remark. 0:00 Topic Intro 0:35 Curtis's Breakdown 1:16 Config 2023 with Brian Chesky: Intro & Ordinary World 2:00 Discussion Break 1 2:55 Config 2023 with Brian Chesky: Call to Adventure 4:18 Discussion Break 2 7:...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Today we're answering more fan mail! In this podcast, we answer Mitch's question by discussing the different software development methodologies available and what happens when management forces a methodology on a team. We cover the pros and cons of each methodology, as well as some of the common pitfalls that can occur when a methodology is forced on a team and we might even share tips for better aligning a software development methodology with your team(s)! 0:00 A Real Intro 0:12 Topic Intro 1:...
Jul 05, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 119
With all the layoffs facing agile professionals, Scrum Masters might be looking at open Project Manager positions. If you're a Scrum Master, moving to Project Management - this podcast will walk you through some of what you might expect. 0:00 Topic Intro 1:00 What's a Project Manager 3:22 Position Decline 7:56 The Contracting Market 9:37 Scrum Master Development 13:24 Consultant Agile Coaches 14:34 Skills to Learn 17:25 Doing Things from Scratch 21:35 Managing Risks 26:40 Scaling 28:38 Scrum Mas...
Jun 28, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Should we all just be promising and committing to dates when asked? Today, we're reacting to an article that seemed to express the opposite opinion of our our Roadmaps episode. On further inspection, we find that it's not exactly what it seemed to be at first glance. Our Roadmaps Episode: AA113 - Debating Outcome-Based vs Output-Based Roadmaps A step back into time about the XBox One Launch: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/11/spencer-microsoft-almost-abandoned-xbox-brand-after-the-xbox-one-l...
Jun 21, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Have you ever been referred to as an Agile Purist? We have - and today, we're talking about this derogatory label! Who might you hear this from? Why might they say it? What can (and should) you do when you hear it? 0:00 Topic Intro 0:43 Why You Hear It 2:24 Executives 4:39 Pragmatic Management 6:25 Brian's Pushback 7:21 Project Managers 8:49 Product Managers 10:09 Engaging with the Statement 12:01 The Empathetic First-Step 13:26 Examples: What is Agile 15:51 Consultants and/or Vendors 21:06 Silo...
Jun 14, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Both Product Manager Brian Orlando and Product Manager Tricia Barnes have been recommending to our favorite Special Mystery Guest that she consider transition her career towards Product Management. On this episode, we talk about the benefits, advantages, and concerns of a Scrum Master moving into a Product role. Bonus points if this has been your career journey - we'd like to hear from you in the comments! 0:00 Topic Intro 0:12 Less Stress 4:32 Growth for Scrum Masters 12:33 Leadership Skills 15...
Jun 07, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Both the agile manifesto and the scrum guide have references to working at a sustainable pace. On this episode, we're talking through what that means, what it certainly doesn't mean, and what things you need to help you work at a sustainable pace. 0:00 Topic & Guest Intros 1:04 What the Book Says 1:53 What is Sustainable? 2:46 Brian's Story 4:46 Time to Decompress 5:55 Lisa's Story 8:26 Systems Effect on Sustainability 10:36 Stormy's Story 14:05 Quality of Work 15:17 Stormy's Software Exampl...
May 31, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Join us as we delve into a lively debate on the merits of outcome-based roadmaps versus output-based roadmaps. With examples, strategic discussions, and practical insights, we explore what makes outcome-based roadmaps the far superior option for teams, stakeholders, and company success. From prioritization and communication to continuous discovery and handling milestones (aka. deadlines), this podcast covers nearly every counter-point you'll hear. We hope, after listening, you'll come away with ...
May 24, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 113
In this information-packed episode, Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel dive deep into the process of evolving a software development team past spending significant time on estimation to becoming so proficient that estimation becomes unnecessary. In this podcast, you'll learn invaluable tips, techniques, and strategies to help your team streamline their estimation process, reduce unknowns, and enhance collaboration with stakeholders. From breaking down work throug...
May 17, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 112
How will AI impact Health Care? On this episode, Product Manager and Registered Nurse Stormy Dickson joins us to talk about AI. We take opposing views on AI and it's impact (both past and potential future) on the medical field. 0:00 Topic Intro 0:50 End of an Era? 3:52 Is this a New Era? 6:23 Replacing Doctors, or Not 9:29 AI's Limits 11:20 Data Labeling is Learning 15:52 Better Doctors Enabled by AI (until it kills someone) 18:15 AI Doctors Mean AI Laywers 19:13 Small Disruptions 22:48 Developm...
May 10, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Is it possible to go from being a Project Manager to a Product Manager? On this episode we dig into the possible advantages and disadvantages a Project Manager might have moving into Product Management. 0:00 Topic Intro 0:59 Concerns 4:44 Operations Experience 7:39 Stakeholder Management & Communications 10:21 Influence 11:13 Expanded Business Awareness 13:24 Disadvantages: Uncertainty 16:00 Risk Management 20:03 The Tyrrany of Planning 22:12 Blame Game 27:18 Leadership vs Management 30:37 G...
May 03, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 110
In this episode, Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel discuss the three different types of teams described by Peter Drucker in his 1994 book: Post-Capitalist Society. 0:00 Intro 0:18 Today's Topic 1:35 Peter Drucker on Teams 3:05 Why This Book? 5:41 Team Transformation is Agile Transformation 8:17 Existing Team Models 11:01 The First Team Type 12:51 Misapplying the Model 15:29 Tight Specializations (Back-End & Front-End) 17:58 UI/UX 19:51 Summarizing the First ...
Apr 26, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 109
In this episode, Lead Web Application Penetration Tester Steve Kline joins Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel to discuss the field of penetration testing. In addition to discussing how people break into pen testing, we talk about commonalities in career paths, differences in training and certifications, and the assumption of risk (or not). 0:00 Topic Intro 0:28 Breaking In 4:53 Getting into Pen Testing 9:13 Journey to Pen Testing 13:29 Jumping Straight In (No Exp...
Apr 19, 2023•54 min•Season 1Ep. 108
In this episode, we go over the reasons team members might be shared or otherwise not dedicated to one scrum team. 0:00 Intro 1:11 What "The Book" Says 3:36 Supporting Everything, Forever 7:01 Scaling 9:56 Runaway Success 12:33 Development and Support 15:38 How Do You Visualize? 17:56 Have the Larger Conversation 20:22 Two Boards: One Kanban, One Sprint 24:29 Being the Maintenance Developer 26:12 First-Draft Support Triage 31:05 The "Hey Buddy" Backlog 34:29 Confrontation 39:02 Valuation in the ...
Apr 12, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Are you a Product Manager or Product Owner? Do you sometimes feel like you are an imposter? Join Product Managers Stormy Dickson and Brian Orlando and Enterprise Agility Coach Hemant (Om) Patel as they talk about the reasons, and what can be done to minimize or overcome imposter syndrome. #impostersyndrome #productmanagement #career 0:00 Topic Intro 0:12 Empowerment 1:33 Push-Back on Empowerment 5:12 Being "New" At The Company 9:48 Choose Responsibility 12:47 Future Leadership Panel Interview 14...
Apr 05, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 106
On this episode, Scrum Master Ayo Eyo joins Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Agility Coach Om Patel to talk about the value a Scrum Master brings to an organization - and to answer the question, where have all the Scrum Masters gone? 0:00 Topic Intro 0:33 Ayo is Back! 1:14 Surfing TikTok 2:41 Why Does This Seem Prevalent 5:43 Essential SM Skills 10:00 Why Do We Need a SM, What Do They Do 12:26 Go Faster 14:34 Taylorism Brick Laying Example 16:35 Show Me the Metrics 19:43 Impediments ...
Mar 29, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 105
In the previous episode (here: https://youtu.be/T1doj980NuE) we explored the things that need to be in-place before a great Product Roadmap can be built. In this episode, we use those concepts to create a Mission, Vision, Strategies, and Goals for our organization and product, the Arguing Agile Podcast! #productmanagement #agile #career 0:00 Topic: Crafting a Mission, Vision, & Strategy 1:13 The Existing Mission/Vision 2:20 Crafting the Vision 4:08 Going One Step Deeper 5:56 The Original Mis...
Mar 22, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Building and maintaining a Product Roadmap can be an infinitely complex task - or it can be easy. What are the challenges and how might we overcome them are the questions we tackle in this episode of the Arguing Agile Podcast. #productmanagement #agile #career 0:00 Why This Topic? 1:24 Starting in the Right/Wrong Place 3:24 Down the Hierarchy 6:01 The Difficulty of Mission & Vision 8:00 Building Alignment 9:56 Alignment & Incentives 13:02 Speaking Different Languages 16:19 Disagreeing on...
Mar 15, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 103
An anti-pattern is a common response to a recurring problem that is usually ineffective and risks being highly counterproductive. On this episode, we take a look at 13 Backlog Anti-patterns! 0:00 Topic Intro 0:28 1. Prioritization by Proxy 4:36 Tangent on "By Proxy" 5:49 2. The Oversized Product Backlog 11:16 3. Outdated Issues 13:58 4. Everything is Detailed and Estimated 16:42 5. INVEST? 20:14 6. Missing Acceptance Criteria 22:02 7. 100% In Advance 26:35 8. No More Than a Title 30:41 9. Storag...
Mar 08, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 102
On this episode, we take three arguably unrelated topics from our list that didn't get their own episodes and bring them together. We believe that each of these topics deserve a bit of attention and we present them here in the style of the Jeopardy category: Potpourri! Welcome, to the mélange de conversation agile: Accountability, Prioritizing Technical Debt, & Product Cannibalization. 0:00 Intro 0:18 Topic 1: Agilists Never Take Accountability 2:22 What is Accountability 4:43 Product Accoun...
Mar 01, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 101
On this episode, we talk about the book Mindset by Carol Dweck, PhD with guest Ed Martin. 0:00 Two Quotes 0:19 Topic Intro - Mindset 1:32 The Fixed Mindset 3:05 Growth Mindset 4:25 Changing Your Mind 5:35 Being Flawless 8:05 Doing Hard Things 9:51 The Drawing Example 11:56 Failure WILL Happen 12:58 Continuous Learning 13:49 Bowling Example 15:37 Business Equivalent of the Bowling Example 17:25 Failure & Feedback 19:02 Getting Around Negative Type Praise 20:57 Coachable People & Leaders 2...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 100
