Definitely, Maybe Agile

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the critical question: "How do we know when work is ready to start developing?" They discuss the challenges of translating business requirements into technical implementation, the importance of having the right people in collaborative discussions, and practical approaches to defining "ready" wo...

In this insightful conversation with Suzanne El-Moursi, co-founder and CEO of BrightHive, Peter and Dave explore how organizations are addressing the growing gap between data volume and analytical capacity. Suzanne reveals that while 90% of the world's data was created in just the last two years, only about 3% of enterprise employees are data professionals, creating a massive bottleneck where...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore how increasing technological capabilities—particularly AI and modern development tools—are changing the landscape of organizational change management. They discuss the implications of newly created capacity, the value of team autonomy, and the importance of balancing efficiency with innovation. This week´s takeawa...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock tackle an often overlooked but critical topic: career progression for Scrum Masters and Product Owners. They explore how organizations initiate these crucial Agile roles but frequently fail to consider their long-term evolution within the company structure. The discussion contrasts the divergent career trajectories...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock dive into the world of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). They explore how this increasingly popular framework helps organizations create alignment, measure progress, and foster autonomy while moving away from traditional KPIs. From the origins at Intel in the 70s to widespread adoption by tech giants like Google, P...

When was the last time raising risk in your organization led to anything other than slowing down? Join hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock as they challenge conventional thinking about risk management in the age of rapid technological change. This episode reveals why traditional approaches might be putting your organization in greater danger. Drawing from their battle-tested experience working...

In this insightful episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," hosts Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock welcome David Hirschfeld, founder and CEO of Tekyz Inc, to discuss the complexities of effective product management. A 35-year software development veteran and former physics student from UCLA, David brings a unique perspective shaped by leadership roles at tech giants like Computer Associates,...

In this engaging episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock welcome Marcelo Calbucci, author of "The PR FAQ Framework." Marcelo shares his expertise from 25+ years at companies like Amazon and Microsoft, plus his extensive startup experience. The conversation explores the Press Release and Frequently Asked Questions (PR FAQ) framework developed...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile , Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock dive into the nuances of intake funnels and definitions of ready —key concepts for ensuring work progresses effectively. They explore how traditional project delivery mindsets differ from product-driven approaches , emphasizing the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and decision points that prevent wasted effort....

 In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the evolution of Agile methodologies. They discuss how Agile represents solutions to persistent problems that may be rebranded but address fundamental needs. The hosts examine why Agile has faced criticism, drawing parallels to Lean's journey from buzzword to established methodology, while exploring the chal...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the critical role of documentation, terminology, and process definition in scaling organizational success. They discuss how leading companies like Netflix build strong cultures through well-defined terms and principles rather than rigid processes. The hosts dive deep into how architectural decisions, cultural tran...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the evolution of quarterly planning from traditional PI planning events to more streamlined modern approaches. They discuss how effective quarterly planning reveals organizational dependencies, aligns priorities across teams, and helps maintain focus on delivering value. The hosts share insights on avoiding common...

In this thought-provoking episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock explore how successful organizations deliver value in today's complex environment. Discover why project success demands both effective execution and tangible business outcomes. The hosts examine the crucial differences between ordered and unordered problem spaces, revealing when to apply Agile...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the nuances of product backlogs in agile environments. They discuss the tension between emergent backlogs and fixed feature sets, the importance of backlog management, and various prioritization techniques, including "buy a feature" and impact-effort matrices. This week's takeaways: Separate tactica...

Join Peter Maddison and David Sharrock in this thought-provoking episode of Definitely Maybe Agile as they explore the evolution of leadership decision-making in modern organizations. They dive deep into how traditional leadership models are being challenged by today's business environment and discuss the crucial shift from control-based to collaborative decision-making approaches. This week´...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile,  Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the evolving complexities of calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO) in modern software development and delivery. This week´s takeaways: TCO fundamentals remain unchanged, but the environment for calculating and applying TCO has become more complex. Organizations must distinguish between strategic proprieta...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast,  Peter Maddison and David Sharrock dive deep into the evolving world of enterprise data management and its impact on modern organizations. From data hygiene to governance, discover how the definition of corporate data has dramatically shifted in recent years and what it means for your business. This week´s takeaways: How reg...

In this episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the application of generative AI in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). While many organizations focus solely on using AI tools like GitHub Copilot for coding, the hosts discuss a broader vision of how AI can enhance the entire development process, from ideation to maintenance. They delve into i...

In this episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the critical challenges they've encountered when working on agile transformations. From superficial leadership support to misdiagnosed organizational problems, these seasoned consultants share their insights on navigating the complex obstacles that can undermine transformation efforts. They also...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock tackle the delicate balance between work transparency and micromanagement, particularly in hybrid work environments. They explore how breaking down work effectively, building trust between leaders and teams, and maintaining healthy communication patterns can create a more productive workplace. The hosts discuss why detail...

Why do even successful agile teams struggle to maintain their improvement momentum? In this compelling episode, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock answer this question and challenge the myth that continuous improvement is "just a mindset." Drawing from both scientific research and hands-on experience, they reveal why sustaining improvement is physically and mentally taxing, and why the jo...

In this episode, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock delve into onboarding in organizations. They explore the challenges and best practices of integrating new team members, discussing everything from formal training methods to hands-on learning approaches. The conversation covers the importance of providing context, the value of apprenticeship-style learning, and the role of DevOps practices i...

In this episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock discuss the evolution of agile methodologies beyond software development. They explore how agile principles can be applied to business processes, such as budgeting, and delve into the challenges of implementing cultural change within organizations. The conversation touches on the importance of collaborat...

In this episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock discuss a fascinating case study of Nike's digital transformation gone awry, resulting in a $25 billion loss and 32% market share decline over three years. They explore the pitfalls of over-relying on data-driven decision-making while neglecting other crucial aspects of business strategy and customer eng...

In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock dive into the challenging world of agile practices in regulated environments. They explore the tension between modern agile methodologies and traditional audit requirements, offering insights on how organizations can bridge this gap. The discussion covers the importance of understanding compliance needs, automating...