KatAnu Connect Podcast

In this episode, Kate and Ryan are joined by Dave Sharrock to talk about diving into the concept of scaffolding as a tool for managing change and transformation in organizations. Scaffolding provides a structured support system that helps implement changes safely and effectively and addresses issues by providing temporary or permanent reinforcement. Key topics include - when to remove scaffolding...

In this episode, Kate and Ryan are joined by Dr. Steve Martin, CEO of Agility Guides, to discuss the Change Initiative Canvas, a strategic tool designed to enhance communication and collaboration during organizational transformations. Featuring about nine key questions, it helps pinpoint obstacles to change. Post-COVID, willingness to embrace change dropped from 74% to 46%, and individuals face an...

Scrum Masters face a range of challenges, both large and small, from difficulties in empowering leaders and teams to managing scope creep and handling comments and conversations within JIRA tickets. In this discussion, Ryan and Kate explore pressing issues such as the lack of genuine empowerment, ownership, responsibility, and engagement. We’ll learn how evaluating the reasons behind disengagement...

Kate and Ryan are joined by Anu Smalley to discuss the new Certified Agile Leader (CAL) programs, courses designed to offer transformational leadership guidance. Ideal for anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills, these courses cater to coaches, scrum masters, consultants, and executives. Unlike traditional theory-based programs, CAL courses emphasize actionable insights, emotional intell...

High-stakes projects, such as moving to a new payment system, can be daunting. How would a scrum team navigate a single, large release while staying Agile? Kate and Ryan explore questions such as - is there a minimum viable product we can deliver before we “flip the switch” and fully move over to a new system? We discuss release plans, milestone and spring planning, and stakeholder communications....

The Agile community came together at the Global Scrum Gathering in New Orleans. Join Kate & Ryan as they chat about the main topics and takeaways that can help you in your Scrum journey. There is something for everyone at the gathering, from scaling to neurodiversity to using Agile within our personal lives. As we move through different eras of civilization, our mindsets must evolve in today’s...

Kate and Ryan dig in on the Scrum Team.  Who is on it, what the right mix of members might look like, and challenges the team can face.

Kate and Ryan discuss what is meant by "permission to fail" and the impact the word 'Fail' can have on a team

Kate and Ryan are joined by Anu Smalley to discuss what it means to having a Values based culture, where organizations succeed, where they fail and why it can't just be a page on your website.

Kate and Ryan discuss the challenges of remote meetings/events and some things teams can try to make them better

Kate and Ryan discuss various ways Sprint Planning can be derailed and how teams might get it back on track

Kate and Ryan are joined by Anu Smalley to discuss the importance of self-awareness in the workplace especially for management

Kate and Ryan discuss their "Scrum-isms" or the things they find themselves saying to their teams and stakeholders time and time again to remind them of our Agile values or Scrum practices

Kate and Ryan look at motivation and engagement, how important they are to all teams, and how easily they can be undermined.

Kate and Ryan discuss using Gherkin to help clarify Acceptance Criteria in User Stories

Kate and Ryan discuss topics that regularly come up in training and consulting: sizing, the definition of Done, and long Daily Scrums

Kate and Ryan are joined by Anu Smalley to discuss conflict, what we mean by it,  the 5 stages of it, and what teams can do to resolve it

Kate and Ryan discuss the importance of experimentation by teams in an Agile environment

Kate and Ryan discuss questions you can ask prospective employers to see if they align with Agile, Scrum, and what you're looking for in a new role

Kate and Ryan are joined by Anu Smalley to discuss the ways in which Developers can undermine their team's Scrum practice and Agile transformation

Kate and Ryan discuss common Agile "Anti-Patterns" that interfere and create problems for our Agile practices, transformation, and journey 

Kate and Ryan discuss what we is meant by an "Agile Transformation," how to gauge its success, and some of the reasons it might fail

Kate and Ryan discuss Product Managers and the differences and overlap it may have with the Product Owner role

Kate and Ryan discuss some very common ways that an organization can undermine their Scrum practices and teams

Kate and Ryan continue their discussion about the characteristics of high performing teams