At one point Phil Reynolds was the most published children's music songwriter in North America. Now he's CEO and co-founder of DevStride, an enterprise-level Agile planning tool that helps teams coordinate across complex work streams. Think the two careers are unrelated? Think again. In this episode, Phil shares how being creative and focusing on the end user (or listener) is key to collaborating, solving problems, enabling service delivery, and meeting your goals.
Jul 19, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 123
Today’s episode is for all the managers out there feeling like they’re no longer necessary after an Agile transformation. In fact, according to enterprise coach and SPCT candidate, Mikael Broomé, managers are absolutely critical for success. Listen as he shares some tips on what you can do as a manager to support your team during their Agile journey.
Jul 18, 2023•4 min
If you’re a manager wondering where you fit on a newly Agile team, today’s episode is for you. Enterprise coach and SPCT candidate, Mikael Broomé, offers some simple tips: start by asking yourself what you're most passionate about in your role, and from there, make sure you understand what the new system looks like, observe your team as often as you can, and keep collecting feedback. Tune in to learn more!
Jul 11, 2023•4 min
“In a really large organization, there is still a certain level of complexity that we don't appreciate when we look at a single SAFe portfolio and put in a Lean portfolio structure.” When it comes to key elements of enterprise portfolio management, words matter. In today’s episode, Adam and SPCT Saahil Panikar discuss the difference between value stream identification and value stream mapping, strategy and execution versus intent and contribution, and what different organizations consider a port...
Jul 05, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Perhaps you’ve heard of Hofstadter’s Law: “It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.” In today’s episode, SPCT, Gez Smith, offers some tips on how to make peace with the law by adjusting expectations during PI planning, adding your IP iteration to your ART planning board, and implementing a “not going to happen column.”
Jul 04, 2023•5 min
Have you ever felt a lack of support from HR during an Agile transformation? You’re not alone. On today’s episode, SPCT and SAFe® Fellow, Michael Stump, argues that HR can actually be a big accelerator for business agility, and offers tips on how to make that happen by asking for support, sharing knowledge, and collaborating on experiments.
Jun 27, 2023•5 min
“As a product manager, I know that product is never the end goal, right? The end goal is value to the customer. And that comes again with a huge people problem or an opportunity, to put it differently. How do I make my people customer-obsessed?” In today’s episode of the SAFe Business Agility Podcast, Adam talks to Natalia Baryshnikova, head of product at Atlassian, about customer obsession, starting with the relevance of an intern’s perspective. The two also discuss topics including parallels b...
Jun 21, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 119
In today’s episode, SPCT and SAFe® Fellow, Charlene Cuenca, has some tips about building a well-balanced, cross-functional Lean-Agile center of excellence (LACE). And she explains why you should consider inviting the COO and HR to be a part of your guiding coalition.
Jun 13, 2023•6 min
How do you evolve a value stream into a profit stream? That’s exactly what Adam discusses in today’s episode with Luke Hohmann, CEO of Applied Frameworks, who recently wrote a book on the topic. The two explore the concept of flow-based economics, the importance of pricing and licensing software, understanding the value of a product, and measuring and validating metrics for better business outcomes. Plus, you’ll hear some funny and humbling personal stories involving a dishwasher, an RV, and agi...
Jun 07, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 117
On today's episode, we're offering a behind-the-scenes look at the SPCT program. Adam sits down with three professionals who recently completed SPCT Immersion Week to discuss the entire journey -- from nomination, to interviews, traveling to Boulder, and beyond. Learn what it takes to earn that coveted invitation and how to take new skills and relationships with you back home. Finally, hear firsthand why SPCT candidates say the hard work is worth it.
May 24, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 116
On today’s episode, Adam sits down (face-to-face!) with three Scaled Agile framework team members—Rebecca Davis, Andrew Sales, and Dean Leffingwell—to discuss all things SAFe 6.0 and what excites them most about this release (hint: it might have something to do with flow). They acknowledge that change is hard and it’s easy to want to resist. But they take a deeper look at what really goes into Framework changes and assure us that the tweaks and changes are more than just shower thoughts—even if ...
May 10, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Today’s episode about flow with Adam and SPCT and SAFe® Fellow Yuval Yeret covers a lot of ground. The two discuss why now is the time to introduce flow properties and accelerating flow at multiple organizational levels before launching Agile Release Trains. How flow metrics don’t just benefit organizations at an advanced level of Agile maturity. Why it’s critical to connect people who have an intimate understanding of operational work with the development value stream. And why Agile is carrying...
Apr 26, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 114
DevOps may have started out as a foreign concept a decade ago, but today, it’s front and center in many organizations’ product strategies. In today’s episode, Adam interviews Robert Wen about his new book, SAFe for DevOps Practitioners. They discuss the three key themes of the book—one of which might be the most valuable skill to learn for the next evolution of the digital age—as well as topics including the recent release of SAFe® 6.0, where Robert got his inspiration for the book, and the holy...
Apr 12, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 113
How about a stroll down memory lane? On today’s episode, Eric Willeke, SAFe® Fellow and co-founder of Elevate.to joins Adam to discuss the evolution of SAFe over the years, what excites them the most about the newest revisions, and talk about how, at least for Eric, everything comes back to flow. Plus, hear why the skills that make for the best Scrum Master often aren’t found on a resume—and why that’s important.
Mar 22, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Senior Consultant at Cprime and newly minted SPCT Steve Adolph sits down with Adam to discuss one of his passions: the role of the architect and architecture in SAFe. Hear about why Steve says the purpose of architecture in an organization is to enable business agility, full stop. The two also discuss why good leadership involves courage, humility, and letting go of the fear of failure.
Mar 07, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Have you heard the news? 2023 is the year of the product manager. Well, it is according to Eduardo Alvim, senior trainer/consultant and SPCT. In this episode, he and Adam dive into why product management will be front and center this year—and what that means. They also discuss the five types of product managers and the importance of storytelling in product management.
Feb 22, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Is design thinking just a buzzword? In today's episode, Adam explains what design thinking is and how you can start using it right now to make your job a little easier.
Feb 21, 2023•4 min
Today's question is about The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). While SAFe acknowledges TOGAF, how do the different roles in that framework map to SAFe roles? Adam discusses what roles related to TOGAF are and aren't in SAFe, and why.
Feb 17, 2023•4 min
You're probably familiar with the term NFRs but do you know how they can impact your backlog, and your life? In today's episode, Adam explains what NFRs are and suggests some ways you can use them to your advantage.
Feb 14, 2023•4 min
Today's topic tackles a common question: I'm a certified SPC. What training should I take next to advance my career? In addition to the easy answer, "it depends," Adam offers tactical advice and suggestions on ways to answer that question yourself.
Feb 10, 2023•4 min
You may know SPCT and SAFe® Fellow Carl Starendal for his work around the RTE role, but did you know he has a Norwegian Grammy Award? And that a lot of what he learned about project management and group dynamics happened on a tour bus? In this episode, Carl and Adam discuss parallels between SAFe and the music business, leadership behaviors, and how to modify cultural patterns.
Feb 08, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Deciding how to build teams is complicated, especially when reporting structures and workplace politics are involved. In today's episode, learn about a more productive approach designed to help you organize teams effectively around delivering value in your organization.
Feb 07, 2023•3 min
What's the difference between the portfolio vision and the portfolio canvas? One is the why and one is the how. Find out which one is which in today's episode.
Feb 03, 2023•4 min
We’re living in a digital age where pretty much everyone is a technologist in some way. In fact, Tom Boswell never thought he’d find himself working in tech while he was studying art at university. In this episode, Adam sits down with Tom to talk about his journey from artist to Agile coach, lessons he’s learned along the way, and advice he has for those just getting started with SAFe. Hear why they both agree that SAFe skills are for everyone and that starting with “why?” is integral for succes...
Feb 01, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 102
A key way to understand what your customers really want is to get unbiased answers to your questions, which is sometimes easier said than done. In this episode, Adam shares an important tool to help you get that information so you can make smart, customer-centric decisions.
Feb 01, 2023•3 min
Good product design is all about problem-solving. No one knows that better than Dave Dombrow and Kevin Fallon, former executives at Nike, Puma, and Under Armour and co-founders of Speedland. In this episode, Adam talks with Dave and Kevin about how to get closer to your customer, fail fast and innovate, and build the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Hear why innovation is more than just tweaking existing products, and learn how to sort through feedback to find the best path f...
Jan 18, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 99
In today’s episode, two SPCs at Lufthansa Group, Toby Knopp and Alex Radzio, describe a SAFe adoption that centered the customer and helped the airline quickly respond to travel headaches. Hear how partnering with other SAFe enterprises can streamline digital transformations and reduce your time to market. And, learn what it takes to become a mature group that other organizations look up to.
Dec 21, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 98
An expert crew from Scaled Agile, Atlassian, and Accenture gathered at the 2022 SAFe Summit to discuss brand new SAFe guidance and the evolution of enterprise agility. Deema Dajani (SAFe Fellow & Product Manager at Scaled Agile, Inc.), Tracey Nott-Seward (Managing Director - Global Talent & Organization/Human Potential at Accenture), and John May (Principal Solutions Architect at Atlassian) joined host Alexis Williams (Global Head of Strategic Alliances at Atlassian) for a conversation that cove...
Dec 09, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 94
An expert crew from Scaled Agile, Atlassian, and Accenture gathered at the 2022 SAFe Summit to discuss brand new SAFe guidance and the evolution of enterprise agility. Deema Dajani (SAFe Fellow & Product Manager at Scaled Agile, Inc.), Tracey Nott-Seward (Managing Director - Global Talent & Organization/Human Potential at Accenture), and John May (Principal Solutions Architect at Atlassian) joined host Alexis Williams (Global Head of Strategic Alliances at Atlassian) for a conversation that cove...
Dec 07, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 93
In today’s episode, SAFe® Fellows and close friends Rebecca Davis and Cheryl Crupi answer the most pressing questions that people have about SAFe—and that they have for each other. Learn how they inspire teams to be candid and make quicker decisions, why they don’t recommend doing SAFe halfway, and how to find meaning and happiness in the midst of struggle.
Dec 07, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 92
