Shows
That Super ShowSuperannuation's 2025 in Review: Key Legislation, Tech Shifts, and Industry Growing Pains#15. Neil Benson and Sarah Penn dive into a lively year-end review of Australia’s superannuation industry. From legislative wins and regulatory challenges to industry shakeups and innovative tech trends, they unpack the major highlights and low points that shaped 2025. You’ll hear their candid takes on big topics like Division 296 reforms, the SG rate increase, the impact of Payday Super, and ongoing compensation scheme debates. Plus, hear all about the headaches of system migrations—as well as the opportunities AI is unlocking for super funds.2025 Highlights: Div296 was fixed, LISTO was increased, Pay Day Super legislation passed, and of...
2025-12-3021 minThat Super ShowNavigating the Superannuation Talent Market with Victoria Butt, Parity Consulting#14. Cohosts Neil Benson and Sarah Penn are joined by Victoria Butt, CEO and founder of Parity Consulting, to unpack the latest trends shaping the talent market as we head toward 2026. Drawing on fresh insights from nearly 5,000 industry professionals, they discuss the shifting priorities of Australia's financial services workforce, the surprising dynamics around return-to-office mandates, and the ongoing impacts of mergers and acquisitions in superannuation.From the rise of exciting projects as a top motivator to the persistent importance of remuneration, Victoria sheds light on how macroeconomic factors, AI, and company culture are redefining careers in...
2025-12-1629 minThat Super ShowMember Engagement Breakthroughs: Insights from Engage 2025#13. Hosts Neil Benson and Sarah Penn dive deep into the world of Australian superannuation. This week, they're joined by an insightful panel of guests—including Emma Jonceski (Aware Super), Cathy Duncan (TCS), Alana Devitt (CoreData), Dan McKean (Chandler), and Zoe Sheehan (TAL)—as they unpack all the highlights from the IBRC Engage 2025 Future of Member Engagement, Comms, and Experience Forum.From industry stats that’ll make you rethink member engagement, to personal stories and clever ideas buzzing around the conference, you’ll hear the latest on how funds are transforming their communications, the role of technology and AI, and...
2025-11-2527 minThat Super ShowHow Will Australians Retire in 2040? Insights from the ASFA Conference#12 Neil and Sarah have just wrapped up at the ASFA conference, and they reconnect with industry leaders and discuss the latest trends shaping super, from digital innovation and regulatory challenges to the future of retirement. This episode features expert insights from guests like Jane Couchman from Aware Super, Zein el Hassan from Mills Oakley, and Shaun Bransdon from TAL Australia, covering everything from the rapid rise of AI in compliance to the changing expectations of retirement for future generations. 00:34 Exciting exhibitors at ASFA Conference03:01 Zen el Hassan, Partner at Mills Oakley, on AI...
2025-11-1829 minThat Super ShowSuperannuation Under the Microscope: Fees, Taxes, The Gender Gap, and Annuities#10. Co-hosts Sarah Penn and Neil Benson discuss the latest news and issues affecting the Australian superannuation sector. We cover:Big fines in the industry: ASIC and CBUS settle member claims delays with a $23.5 million fine, highlighting the financial pain for profit-to-member funds and contrasting it with corporately-owned funds like Macquarie.Super tax complexity: The introduction of new rates brings the tally to 20 different tax rates within superannuation, sparking debate about fairness and system complexity.Gender disparity in super balances: Data shows continuing gaps between men’s and women’s average and median super balances, with recent policy changes like...
2025-10-2935 minThat Super ShowSanity Prevails: Breaking Down the Latest Superannuation Tax Changes and Payday Super#9. Neil and Sarah sit down to discuss the latest developments in Australian superannuation policy. After two years of debate and lobbying, the government has announced changes to the proposed Div296 tax on high-balance super accounts, opting to tax only realised capital gains rather than unrealised gains. They also explore the introduction of a new 40% tax rate on income from super balances over $10 million, and consider the broader impact of these reforms on both high-net-worth individuals and everyday members. The conversation covers updates to the low-income super tax offset (LISTO) and the rollout of Payday Super, which will...
2025-10-2121 min
Practice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practicesPractice Leading Finale - I Quit Superware#14. This is - probably - the final episode of Practice Leading. I created the podcast to chart my journey growing Superware, the Microsoft partner business I founded in 2020.But my time at Superware has come to an unexpected end.A huge thanks to all the guests who joined me for the lessons they shared: Mohamed Mostafa, Joel Lindstrom, Ben Vollmer, Areti Iles, Bob Bell, Edit Kapcari, Kathrine Hogseth, Chris McNulty, Nancie Calder, Lucy Bourne and Ole Gjerde. 👋 LET'S CONNECT🌐 Subscribe to Practice Leading newsletter for key lesson takeaways and special event invita...
2025-10-0907 minThat Super ShowJoe Longo’s Exits ASIC Exit, SMSF Risks, DIV296 Delays and Aged Pension Asset Test Debate#8. Co-hosts Neil Benson and Sarah Penn discuss the latest news and events affecting Australia's superannuation sector, including:Joe Longo is stepping down as chair of ASICMacquarie Investment Management offers compensation to SMSF trustees who invested in Shield through its wrap platformThe role of superannuation trustees in determining which investments are available to members and whether SMSF trustees should require a qualificationThe role of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort in compensating clients of failed advisorsDelays to Div296 legislation and the principal of taxing unrealised capital gainsIFM Investments to close their private equity unit despite its track record of...
2025-10-0727 minThat Super ShowNavigating NPP and Payday Super: what super funds need to know#7. Co-hosts Sarah Penn and Neil chat with Marnie Ryan, head of product innovation and enablement at AP+ (formerly NPP Australia). We cover:NPP and Superannuation: From 1 July 2026, funds must accept real-time payments via the New Payments Platform (NPP)—mandatory, and separate from Payday Super legislation.Modernising Payments: Transition away from BECS is set for 2030. Super funds need to get ready to shift from batched, delayed payments to instant, always-on transactions.Reconciliation Revolution: NPP upgrades solve historic problems with payment reference numbers, making reconciliation faster and easier—especially important for super contributions.Pilot Programs in Action: Leading funds and clea...
2025-09-2333 minThat Super ShowBold moves for super: reforms, regulation and the housing investment debate#6. Co-hosts Sarah Penn and Neil Benson break down the latest news and debates in the superannuation sector. We cover:Legislative inaction: Despite big talk from government and industry summits, there’s little movement yet on significant superannuation or tax reforms.Super funds vs. ATO: HESTA and ART are taking legal action against the ATO over imputation credits, fighting for millions owed to members and highlighting rare but bold fund challenges to regulators.Performance test wrap-up: All 54 MySuper products passed this year, signaling improved standards, but some products—especially trustee-directed ones—remain borderline or repeatedly fail.Product closures and member...
2025-09-0930 minThat Super ShowInside complaints data: Insights from Heather Gray, Lead Ombudsman Superannuation at AFCA#5. Co-hosts Sarah Penn and Neil Benson chat with Heather Gray, Lead Obudsman, Superannuation at Australian Financial Complaints Authority. We cover:Complaints as Feedback: Complaints are valuable for identifying service improvement areas, even though funds aim to minimize them.Drop in Insurance Delay Complaints: There has been a notable reduction (39%) in complaints about delays in insurance claims within super funds, indicating successful improvements.Importance of Communication: Clear and timely communication—especially during incidents like cyber attacks—is critical in maintaining trust and managing complaints.Systemic Issues vs. Human Error: Sarah is surprised to learn that maybe a high proportion of human...
2025-08-2641 minThat Super ShowFrom DDO to FAR: What’s shaping superannuation’s future right now#4. Sarah Penn and Neil Benson discuss the latest news and views affecting Australian superannuation professionals.AFCA Complaints Down: Overall complaints about financial services are down 4%, with superannuation-specific complaints dropping a huge 16%. Notably, complaints about claims handling fell by 39%, signalling real operational improvements across the industry.DDO & “Reasonable Steps” Under the Microscope: Design and Distribution Obligations (DDO) have moved the focus from “buyer beware” to responsible design and distribution. Expect ASIC to sharpen its scrutiny—not just on disclosures (like TMDs), but on product distributors and the steps funds take to ensure their products reach the right consumers.The FAR Era Be...
2025-08-1122 minThat Super ShowWell-intentioned mishaps: when tech goes wrong#3. Sarah Penn (CEO of Mayflower Consulting) and Neil Benson (CEO of Superware) discuss the latest news and views affecting Australian superannuation professionals.Do we really care about 1 year fund returns or is it just marketing?Binding death benefit nominations - don't write 100.00%Sarah was at risk conference so wants to talk it.When good intentions end badly and what we can learn when it all goes sidewaysBig ideas:the bow tie of risk management - example here: https://www.manycaps.com/blog/risk/8-steps-to-bow-tie-analysis. Neil has a new complaints scorecard tool: https://superware.ai...
2025-07-2829 minPractice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practicesWins and Challenges in Growing a Managed Services Practice (MSP)#13. Ole Gjerde, CEO of TruNorth Dynamics, Ole built a custom software business, before running a managed services business, before running a business applications business so he’s seen run the full gamut of business models.Ole shared lessons from years of building, merging, and separating MSPs, and why focus and clear division of teams are crucial for success. We discussed when it’s smart to outsource your own internal technology support for any Microsoft partner, and if you’re going to launch an application support practice or MSP business, how to structure pricing for real client...
2025-07-2242 minThat Super ShowIs it OK for funds to spend $$$ on marketing?#2. Sarah Penn and Neil Benson discuss the latest news and views affecting Australian superannuation professionals.NEWS:APRA on the warpath re fund expenditure. "Where APRA identifies practices which fall short of legal requirements, APRA will utilise the full range of its powers to hold an RSE licensee accountable."Super funds on track for 3rd consecutive year of robust returns. AMP includes crpyto in it's super portfolio.ATO approves NPP as payment method for payday super. BIG IDEA:Framing, and why it matters in superOUR RECOMMENDATIONS:Sarah recommends 'Coaching real...
2025-07-1437 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumGet Scrum Certified for Free: How Microsoft Partners Can Use Co-Op Funds#162. Unlocking hidden Microsoft partner benefits? Now that’s my kind of secret! In this episode, I spill the beans on how Dynamics 365 and Power Platform partners can get their teams Scrum trained and certified — on Microsoft’s dime, without touching your training budget, thanks to Microsoft Incentive co-op funds.I walk you through what co-op funds are, how to check your eligibility, and exactly how to claim full reimbursement for my Successful Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps course. The course is tailored specifically for your teams building Microsoft business apps, not just any softwa...
2025-07-1212 minPractice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practicesGood Strategy/Bad Strategy: Forming Superware's Strategic Plan#12. We just wrapped up our latest round of strategic planning at Superware—and it was a game-changer using the approach outlined in Richard Rumelt’s Good Strategy, Bad Strategy. Here’s what stood out from our process and why it made such a difference for us. After landing a major consulting win, we still hadn’t cracked product market fit for our industry apps. Instead of more generic goals and vision statements, we dove into Rumelt’s practical framework and it completely reset how we tackled strategy as a team.KEY LESSONSDiagnose, don’t guess. We sp...
2025-07-0510 minThat Super ShowIt's Launch Day!#1. #4. Sarah Penn (CEO of Mayflower Consulting) and Neil Benson discuss the latest news and views affecting Australian superannuation professionals.NEWS:Div296/$3m super tax/unrealised gainstax benefits from super more than cost of age pension systemAPRA tells funds to get on with consider MFAimpacts of super AML exemptionJoe Longo (ASIC Director) tells super directors to do betterAnd speaking of directors, CPS510 (Governance) out for consultationQuality of Advice review - second tranche of legislation finally on the wayBIG IDEA:how to successfully navigate a business case for software when the outcome isn't certain...
2025-07-0137 minPractice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practicesLeadership Lessons from Microsoft Partner Innovators: My Practice Leading Retrospective#9. Welcome to Practice Leading, the podcast for ambitious and curious Microsoft partner leaders who are passionate about growth, innovation, and building high-performing teams—with no tolerance for BS. I’m your host, Neil Benson, and in this special retrospective episode, I’m sharing the biggest lessons learned from the show’s first eight guests. We’ll revisit insights on creating a culture-over-hierarchy, hiring for industry expertise, empowering teams, pricing strategies, empathetic leadership, mentorship, and building a sustainable team culture.You’ll hear the real-world results as I experiment with these ideas in my own business, Superware, and the challeng...
2025-05-1918 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumPreparing for the First Sprint: Design Thinking and Discovery with Hamish Sheild#160. Hamish Sheild is a Microsoft MVP and Power Platform consultant specialising in applying Design Thinking practices to our apps and projects to make them more human-centred. Hamish and I discuss the different activities and artifacts we've experimented with before starting the delivery phase of our Power Platform and Dynamics 365 projects. Join us as we discuss:03:43 Design thinking exercises and goal setting08:45 Inclusion of developers in the discovery phase09:48 Importance of day in the life sessions11:59 Exploration of design sprints17:10 Creating customer and user journey maps18:48...
2025-03-1040 minPractice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practicesBuilding Diverse and Empathetic Leadership with Areti Iles#4. Today I'm learning from Areti Iles. She's the Head of Professional Services for Enterprise Applications at Telefonica Tech in the UK. Having started in technology with end-user organisations transitioned into consulting in 2016 and joined Telefonica Tech in 2021. She's active in her local user group community, and committed to helping others advance their career, especially women and people from underrepresented backgrounds.Areti shares her unique perspective on leadership, broadening it beyond traditional constraints and emphasizing its multifaceted nature beyond just dealing with people. Her insights challenge conventional leadership notions, encouraging a broader understanding of what it truly means...
2025-03-1037 minPractice Leading: for emerging and curious leaders of Microsoft partner practicesThe future of pricing models in the Microsoft partner ecosystem with Ben Vollmer#3. Ben Vollmer is a Senior Vice President at RSM US responsible for growing their Power Factory offering. He is probably best known in the Microsoft community as the former global director of Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Field Service business. Ben’s a prolific presenter at Microsoft conferences with a reputation for helping partners level up their pricing and delivery models.Ben and I have a fascinating discussion about the evolution of pricing and how Microsoft partners and customers might exchange value. Traditionally, partners have delivered services and charged based a timesheet and a rate card. How is that mode...
2025-02-2432 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumThe Power of Learning Through Experiments in Power Apps Development#154. Neil Benson takes us on a journey of learning through experimentation. Starting with the historical origins of smallpox inoculation, Neil discusses the importance of conducting experiments to drive innovation and problem-solving. Sharing personal experiences from his biochemistry studies to his current work in building applications with Power Platform and Dynamics 365, Neil emphasizes the value of agile software development and the significance of learning through short bursts of experimentation. He provides insights into real-world experiments with AI Builder and form processing models, highlighting the impact of these experiments on improving business processes. Neil also shares his...
2024-02-2612 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumUnpacking User Stories and Backlog Refinement with Dani Kahil#152. Host Neil Benson is joined by the talented Dani Kahil for an insightful discussion on managing backlogs and enhancing user stories in Azure DevOps and Jira. Neil shares his experiences with Jira, highlighting some configuration challenges, while Dani expresses a strong preference for Azure DevOps. They dive into the hierarchy of backlog items, including epics, features, user stories, and tasks, and explore different approaches to tracking progress on a Kanban board. Throughout their conversation, Neil and Dani discuss the importance of refining user stories, enriching them with acceptance criteria, and prioritising features based on their value to t...
2023-11-0748 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumSuper CRM: a case study#151. Amazing Apps host, Neil Benson, dives into a case study from one of his team's own projects: "Member Super", a financial services organisation in Australia. With over a million members, they needed a CRM application that could handle their complex stakeholder relationships and provide exceptional service to their customers.Member Super's existing CRM app was limiting their capabilities and hindering their goal of achieving a single view of their customers. So, they made the decision to take control and build their own CRM application. Superware partnered with them to make it happen, and the results were nothing...
2023-10-0219 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumA Big Bang? Going Live with Dynamics 365 or Power Platform with Andrew Bibby#150. What does it take to have a successful go live event for your Dynamics 365 or Power Platform application. Neil Benson sat down with Andrew Bibby, a seasoned expert in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business applications. In this episode, Andrew shares his insights on the crucial process of preparing for and executing a successful go live. From addressing technical difficulties to promoting user adoption and measuring success, Andrew sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of post-delivery project management. He also discusses the importance of training, involving change champions, and effective communication in ensuring a smooth transition. Don't miss this...
2023-09-1944 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAmazing CRM & ERP Apps in Manufacturing with Shawn Tabor#148. Get ready for another captivating episode of Amazing Apps! In this episode, Neil Benson engages Shawn Tabor, Director of Consulting Services at Hitachi Solutions, in an insightful conversation about the dynamic realm of Microsoft Business Applications and its role in the manufacturing and service industries. Explore Hitachi's product landscape, investment strategies, and the art of identifying patterns to create accelerators for efficient project estimations. Discover Shawn's podcasting journey, collection hobbies, and upcoming conference plans. Timestamps05:40 Improving customer experience for manufacturers07:36 The power of strategic planning09:56 The challenge of implementing Microsoft ecosystem
2023-08-2131 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumPower Platform pipelines or Azure DevOps pipelines for ALM? with Benedikt Bergmann#147. When should you use Power Platform pipelines and when should you use Azure DevOps pipelines to deploy your Power Platform or Dynamics 365 applications? That's the question that Benedikt Bergmann answers in this episode of Amazing Apps.Benedikt is a Power Platform consultant known for his expertise in Application Lifecycle Management (ALM). Neil and Benedikt delve into the world of ALM, discussing its importance for small and enterprise teams alike. From tools and environments to testing and components outside of solutions. Whether you're a low code app builder or part of a large development team, this episode has...
2023-08-2133 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumCan you really gain competitive advantage with Dynamics 365? with Martin Hinshelwood#146. In this episode, we're thrilled to have Martin Hinshelwood from naked Agility join host, Neil Benson. Martin shares his perspectives on improving the success of agile engagements through the role of a consulting product owner, and why you should build your own business applications rather than buy Dynamics 365 if you're looking for competitive advantage. Hit the play button and dive into this insightful conversation between Neil and Martin!Timestamps02:46 The importance of unique capabilities in a competitive market06:09 The power of vertical integration11:58 Outsourcing core business practices16:37 Risks and rewards...
2023-08-0142 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumChris Huntingford Doesn't Believe in Citizen Developers#145. We're back with another incredible episode of Amazing Apps, and this time we have an amazing guest on board. Neil Benson is joined by the Low Code Lead & Platform Evangelist at ANS Group, Chris Huntingford. Chris spills the beans on citizen developers, he talks about the concept of ecosystem enablement, the potential of low code platforms, the importance of enabling everyone to build apps and flows, hackathons, and more. Hit the play button and dive into this insightful conversation between Neil and Chris!TIMESTAMPS00:03:39 The importance of citizen developers00:07:24 The power of...
2023-07-2038 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumJoining an existing team as a new scrum master with Matthew Venamore#144. Neil Benson is joined by Matthew Venamore, a scrum master with extensive experience coaching Dynamics 365 teams. Matthew shares valuable insights into the challenges faced by new scrum masters when joining existing teams and emphasizes the importance of empowering the team. He advises taking a standoffish stance initially, observing the team and their work before making any changes or adding value. Matthew shares his personal journey, starting as a software delivery manager and eventually becoming a scrum master. He highlights the importance of coaching and guiding a team towards self-management and offers insights into handling various challenges, such a...
2023-07-0536 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumWho do we need in our Business Apps team?#143. On this episode of Amazing Apps, we discuss resourcing agile teams using the Scrum framework. Neil Benson talks about who we should have on our teams as product owner, developers and scrum master. Should Microsoft partners offer to provide a consultant for every role on the team? Listen in to find out.Timestamps(02:04) Product owner maximizes value, sets goals.(03:02) Product owner orders backlog, ensures focus.(07:52) From business analyst to product owner.(09:32) Ideal product owners.(14:07) External stakeholders.(16:37) QA pros are devs in Scrum teams.(21:30) Scrum master's role and...
2023-06-2323 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumSmaller Teams, Bigger Wins: how to split your enterprise apps teams#142. Neil Benson discusses the challenges of organizing a large Scrum team to maximize efficiency. He suggests rotating developers between teams and organizing teams around specific components or external systems they need to integrate with. Neil also recommends self-organizing teams and coaches teams to create their own code of conduct and establish expected behaviors. He shares his experience of organizing teams by components in the past at RACQ and why it wasn't the best approach. ResourcesScaling Scrum with Nexus on Scrum.orgRichard Hundhausen, co-creator of Nexus, on Amazing Apps #136Timestamps(02:52) Large team...
2023-06-0313 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumArchitects in Scrum Teams with Allan de Castro#141. In this episode of Amazing Apps, podcast host Neil Benson is joined by Allan de Castro, a senior technical consultant for the Power Platform at Avanade France.They discuss their experience applying Scrum to recent projects, including the role of an architect in the Scrum framework. The episode covers key challenges such as the importance of ensuring clarity in the backlog, prioritization of sprints, and addressing technical requirements while focusing on business and added value. [00:06:23] Allan, an architect and technical lead, discusses the challenge of finding their place in a team using the Scrum framework f...
2023-05-1937 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumUsing Figma to design business apps with Andrew Ly132. Today’s guest is Andrew Ly, a Microsoft Business Applications Solutioning Lead at IBM Consulting in Australia.Andrew shares his 22 years of experience in the Microsoft space, including the type of work he does and the clients he works with.Andrew also gives his two cents on the low-code, no-code approach and talks about the demand of in a day trainings like App-in-a-Day sessions, Figma, and Power Platform applications.Show Highlights[02:48] Andrew’s background and what it’s like living and working in Australia[05:13] What Andrew and Neil do to keep fit these...
2022-12-1349 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDefining requirements for complex Power Platform apps with Hamish Sheild#120. Hamish Sheild describes his five step Solution Mapping framework for using design thinking principles to define the requirements for complex Power Apps.Hamish has discovered Outlook's Board View and Neil is evaluating Motion for improving productivity.AppRising's Solution Mapping FrameworkWhat is a complex application?Observing users in their environmentCustomer journey mappingSwimlane business process mappingAre as-is process diagrams worth the effort?Creating a product backlog of user storiesFocusing on value when creating a user storyWhat's the right level of detail for user stories?Establishing a Power Platform centre of excellence. Are centres of excellence only for organisations with lots o...
2022-06-0734 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumBuilding a CRM App for Financial Advisors with Stephen Handley, Fin365#90. Join me with Stephen Handley,founder, CEO and chief architect at Fin365, an application development business serving financial services professionals in Australia. Fin365 was born out of need for better data management practice management platform that Stephen identified in his own financial planning business.Our discussion covers:How Stephen's background of being a software developer and a financial adviser could be the perfect blend of expertise for his application development business. What led to the choice of Microsoft Dynamics over Salesforce or Zoho or others?How a product from the heavily regulated Australian financial services industry c...
2021-06-0843 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumPower Apps ALM Accelerator for Advanced Makers with Marc Schweigert, Microsoft#82. Join me with Marc Schweigert, a programme manager on the Power Customer Advisory Team at Microsoft as we talk about Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) approaches suited to novices and citizen developers through to professional developers. A healthy application lifecycle process is critical if you're going to build amazing, agile, Dynamics 365 and Power Apps platform applications. I think it's great that Microsoft is finally providing more prescriptive advice for how to achieve healthy ALM and providing tools to help us get there.Make sure you stick around until the end of this episode to find out how you c...
2021-04-1956 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumThe Making of MISSION CRM with CJ Brooks#78. Join me with CJ Brooks, a Fundraising and Engagement Architect at Mission CRM as we talk about how Mission CRM closed the doors on their consulting practice to focus on building the Mission CRM fundraising and engagement application for nonprofit organizations. Make sure you stick around until the end of this episode to find out how you can get access to the bonus episode with Neil Benson and CJ Brooks extended interview.Our discussion covers:How Mission CRM took a step back and pivoted to create an application.How Mission CRM adapted to Microsoft's n...
2021-03-2238 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAutomagically Building Power Apps with Bert Wijns, Power Accelerate#76. Join me with Bert Wijns, a Global Solution Strategy Architect a Microsoft and co-founder of Power Accelerate as we talk about the tool he created which allows you to take a screenshot of a legacy application or database schema and have a Power App built in a few minutes with the legacy data migrated. Sound crazy? Listen on to hear more about Bert Wijns' Power Accelerate.Make sure you stick around until the end of this episode to find out how you can get access to the bonus episode with Neil Benson and Bert Wijns' extended interview.
2021-03-1539 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using Scrum#NoEstimates Business Applications with Vasco Duarte#74. Join me with Vasco Duarte who runs Oikosofy a coaching company in Finland and is also behind the Scrum Master Toolbox podcast. Vasco is the author of a fascinating book, #NoEstimates. Vasco and I chat about the challenges of estimating complex business application software, particularly in the CRM and ERP domains, and how the No Estimates movement and the method covered in his book can help business applications teams construct collaborative contracts with their customers and never deliver late again. At the end of this podcast episode, I give details on how you can win one of 14 c...
2021-03-0144 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDocumenting Power Apps with Daryl LaBar and Jonas Rapp#73. Daryl LaBar and Jonas Rapp, co-hosts of the XrmToolCast join Neil Benson to answer the questions about how to document complex systems when asked to "devise a roadmap for migrating a Dynamics CRM 2013 and a CRM 2016 environment into a single Dynamics 365 online environment ."A documentation tools masterclass from two experts in the field who discuss what tools to use for on-premise implementations when Snapshot! for Dynamics 365 can’t be used.ResourcesDaryl LaBar on LinkedInJonas Rapp on LinkedInXrmToolCast PodcastSnapshot! for Dynamics 365XrmToolBox Plugin Registration ToolXrmToolBox Web Resource ToolXrmToolBox Attribute Usage InspectorXrmToolBox Metadata Do...
2021-02-2339 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumWhat Does the Scrum Guide 2020 Mean For Us?#65. Neil discusses the five most important changes in Scrum Guide 2020 for Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 teams:It's less strict and less about softwareOne team (except when there're multiple teams)Commitments clarified - the Product GoalNo more rolesIncrementsCustomery Academy's course, Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps, will be updated in time for the new Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master certification assessment on 9 January. You can get $100 off if you join before 31 December using coupon code: 93G7PCAH.What do you think of the 2020 Scrum Guide? Which changes do you think will have t...
2020-11-3016 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDynamics 365 for Talent with Ana Inés Urrutia de Souza#57. Join me with Ana Inés Urrutia de Souza, a Dynamics 365 HR consultant at FourVision and a rising star in our Power Platform community. Ana shares the story behind the amazing Dynamics 365 for Talent application her team deployed at Centria, in Lima, Peru.Ana came from an HR administrator role and today is an HR application functional consultant at FourVision.Ana's project team created a Dynamics 365 for Talent companion app using Power Apps to enhance the recruiting process at Centria.HR departments and their applications are often treated as a cost to the organisation.This is slowly changing b...
2020-09-1421 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDynamics Con 2020 with Molly Fuschel#56. The biggest online community event of the year, Dynamics Con 2020, is just around the corner: Wednesday 9 to Thursday 10 September. I'm joined in this special episode by a special guest to discuss this special event -- the event's director, Molly Fuschel.You can register for free today at DynamicsCon.com.I'm presenting "Tell Me a Story", which will be packed with proven practices for managing your Dynamics 365 or Power Apps product backlog. My session is 9am US Central Time, Wednesday 9 September.I'll be available during and after my session to answer your questions and...
2020-09-0231 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumEstimating How Much and How Long#55. In this second episode on estimating Microsoft Business Applications we answer your financial sponsor's two favourite questions:How long is it going to take?How much is it going to cost?If you're a Dynamics 365 or Power Platform project manager, business analyst, solution architect, pre-sales consultant, developer, or in business development, you'll find out how to answer those key questions in this in-depth episode.For full show notes and transcript, visit https://customery.com/004Check out part 1, Estimating Power Platform and Dynamics 365 applications, to discover more about forecasting how long it's going...
2020-08-2422 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumLives Lived Well with Dani Kahil#54. I'm joined by Dani Kahil, Microsoft Business Applications practice lead at Empired, who shares the story behind one of his client projects, Lives Lived Well.How the Lives Lived Well CRM project started with a review of the high-level requirementsAdopting Scrum gradually during the course of the projectThe benefit of having a scrum master (or a project manager) who is familiar with ScrumDani's advice for Microsoft customers who are new to the product owner roleUsing a blend of partner and customer resourcesChallenges they had switching from Voice of the Customer to FormsProGoing live as the COVID-19 pandemic hit...
2020-07-3041 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumEstimating Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Applications#53. If you're building Microsoft Dynamics 365, Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate or Power Virtual Agent applications, when and how should you be estimating your requirements, releases and applications? Check out part 2, Estimating how long and how much, to discover more about forecasting how long it's going to take and how much it's going to cost.For full show notes and transcription, visit: https://customery.com/002We need to estimate our requirements for two reasons: time and moneyWe don't always need to estimate our applications, but exceptions are rareAccuracy and precision are different thingsEstimation is...
2020-07-1428 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using Scrum15 Industry Leaders Share Their Business Apps Career Advice#52. For this special episode, I asked 15 industry leaders how they were coping with the coronavirus restrictions and what advice they'd give to their younger selves if their career was affected by the impacts of an economic recession.James PhillipsSarah CritchleyKathrine HogsethNeil ParkhurstMohamed MostafaElaiza BenitezDian TaylorLeon TribeFrieda MaherDalia RaphaelAndrew BibbyLisa CrosbieCedrick HolmesDavid KoharAndrew WelchSupport the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps Keep expe...
2020-06-181h 16
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAmazing Apps Show Trailer#51. Welcome to the new Amazing Apps show. This episode is a bonus episode for previous subscribers of the Scrum Dynamics podcast explaining the reasons behind the name change and gives you a sneak preview of the new theme music.Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps Keep experimenting 🧪-Neil
2020-06-1304 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDynamics 365 for Recruitment Industry with Chris Kendrick, Mercury xRM#50. Chris Kendrick is the founder and CEO of Mercury xRM, who develop recruitment software on Dynamics 365 Sales. We discuss parsing resumes (and fine-tuning your own resume), as well as entity model designs, ISV product development, implementation approaches, remote training and user adoption incentives.Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps Keep experimenting 🧪-Neil
2020-06-0136 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAgile Architects with Gus Gonzalez and Joel Lindstrom#49. I'm joined by Gus Gonzalez and Joel Lindstrom to discuss the role of solution architects in agile teams implementing Microsoft Business Applications.We chill out on the mics and discuss:Why weren't Joel and Guz at MVP this year?Intrinsic and extrinsic solution architectsWhat is the role of a solution architect today? Resource and delivery co-ordinationGo-to person and a face for the developersCan a solution design document be dangerousIs the blueprint the new solution design document?Decision logs and the reasons why it's designed that wayGus GonzalezGus G...
2020-05-171h 09
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumPrototyping Power Apps with Clément Olivier#48. My guest is Clément Olivier from Javista in Nantes, France.Clément was recently awarded a Power Platform FastTrack Recognized Solution Architect designation. He was one of 8 first-time Power Apps architects and 5 Power BI architects to be recognised, in addition to a new group of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations and Customer Engagement architects.It's a recognition from the Microsoft FastTrack team within the Business Apps product engineering group of a solution architect who consistently exhibits deep architecture expertise and creates high-quality solutions during customer engagements. Congratulations to all of you.I invited Cl...
2020-05-0426 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumWhen to Use Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps#47. Is Scrum the best approach to use for every Microsoft Business Application?No!Join me, as we explore the Stacey and Cynefin models that help us make judgements about which types of applications are suited to a Scrum approach and which aren't. Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps Keep experimenting 🧪-Neil
2020-04-1711 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumFixing Your Scrum with Ryan Ripley#46. Ryan Ripley joins me in Amazing Apps to discuss his new book, Fixing Your Scrum.Ryan is a Professional Scrum Trainer with Scrum.org. We also discuss:The suitability of Scrum for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform projects. Is the Scrum framework appropriate for enterprise Dynamics 365 ERP projects and smaller Power Apps projects?Ryan’s advice for line-of-business managers who are taking on the product owner role for the first time in their Microsoft Business Applications project.Whether it’s a good idea for scrum masters to take product owner training.The range of courses and certi...
2020-03-2753 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumLive Inside My Daily Scrum#45. This is a special, bonus episode of Amazing Applications with a live recording from inside my current Scrum teams' daily scrum. Take a sneak peek as my developers share their progress with each other and adjust the sprint backlog as they learn more about what they've accomplished. Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps Keep experimenting 🧪-Neil
2020-03-2326 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAgile is Dead#44. Someone sends me an "Agile is Dead" article at least once a year. Are these articles with their clickbait headlines just opinion pieces with no data to back up the authors' claims or are they well-researched and thought-provoking journalism?Here's one, Agile software development is dead. Deal with it. It was written by Jason Bloomberg and published in SiliconANGLE.I have some fun with the author's claims that agile software is dead because it's 19, is impossible to scale, and promotes exclusion.Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on Lin...
2020-02-0911 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumCRM Success at Orbis Investments with EY Kalman#43. EY Kalman, also known as the CRM Ninja, joins me in this episode of Amazing Apps to reveal the critical factors behind the success of his Dynamics CRM project at Orbis Investments.Listen in as he reveals his critical success factors on this project.ResourcesEY Kalman on LinkedInTheCRMNinja on TwitterTheCRM.Ninja websiteTheCRMNinja on YouTubeOrbis Investments websiteSupport the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 A...
2020-01-2147 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAll Your Scrum Team Questions Answered#42. The topic for this episode is scrum teams. The composition and the characteristics of your scrum team remain fundamental to you having any success with an agile approach when you're implementing business applications.I recently refreshed the content of the scrum team section in my Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps course. In this refresh, I added a new video which answers frequently asked questions about scrum teams. I thought it would be a good idea to share some of those FAQs with the Scrum Dynamics audience to give you a sneak peek into the kind of topics...
2019-12-0521 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumManaging Requirements in Azure DevOps with Tricia Sinclair#41. Lots of Microsoft Business Applications teams use Azure DevOps Repos and Pipelines for managing their source code and automating their code integration, build and deployment processes.But what about using Azure DevOps Boards to plan, track and collaborate on your work in a Dynamics 365, Power Apps, Power Automate or Power BI project?Tricia Sinclair, a CRM Pre-Sales Consultant at DXC Technology, is on a mission to help us all use Azure DevOps Boards for more than Repos and Pipelines.ResourcesTricia Sinclair on LinkedInTricia Sinclair on Twitter...
2019-11-0744 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumEstimating Bugs in Scrum#40. There are two ways of handling bugs in Scrum:Bug Estimators treat bugs like any other product backlog item. They write a card, estimate it, add it to the product backlog, prioritise it and work on it during a future sprint.Bug Zappers try and avoid writing cards for bugs and they never estimate them. Instead, they try and zap bugs as soon as they are discovered.Mike Cohn is a Bug Estimator but Mitch Lacey is a Bug Zapper (so is almost every other Scrum trainer and team).Listen in to find out...
2019-10-2708 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDefinition of Next#39. Imagine you're a member of a development team implementing Microsoft Business Applications using the Scrum framework. What do you do when you've completed the item you're working on?Inspired by my favourite TV show of all time, The West Wing, here's the Definition of Next that my team uses to answer the question, "What's Next?"Thanks to The West Wing Weekly podcast and to my scrum master, Matthew Venamore, for the inspiration for the Definition of Next.Visit customery.com/39 to download my Definition of Next checklist.Support the show...
2019-10-1012 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAgile Foundations Course Launch#38. If you’re brand new to agile software development and are wondering how an agile approach can be applied to your Dynamics 365, Power Apps, Power BI or Power Automate project, I’ve launched a new free mini-course: Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps.The course is ideal if you are interested in learning about agile software development and how business apps projects can benefit from an agile approach. After taking this course, you'll understand the history of agile software development, and it's values and principles. You'll also discover the Scrum framework and the benefits it can...
2019-10-0304 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumRepeatable Dynamics 365 Business Central with Steve Brooks, Bam Boom Cloud#37. Steve Books is the Chief Technology Officer of Bam Boom Cloud (previously known as Cooper Parry IT Solutions), 2020 winner of the Microsoft Partner of the Year award for Dynamics 365 Business Central.Bam Boom Cloud is a mid-market accounting firm based in the UK. They've had a lot of success with the partner-to-partner business model that has eluded so many other Microsoft partners.Steve also shares his insights into Bam Boom Cloud's innovative business development process for qualifying prospective clients and engaging them remotely on rapid projects to deploy Dynamics 365 Business Central quickly and successfully. It...
2019-08-3134 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAgile Field Service at Monadelphous with David Conti, Velrada#36. David Conti surprised me with the size of Velrada's project that was a finalist in the 2019 Microsoft Partner of the Year for Dynamics 365 Field Service awards.I had always assumed that PotY awards were a recognition of complex, enterprise projects successfully delivered by Microsoft's finest.Listen in as David reveals the size of Velrada's project at engineering maintenance company, Monadelphous. He also shares with us Velrada's agile approach, the tools that his team used to deliver the project and the importance of helping your customer's IT team learn about Dynamics 365.Resources
2019-08-1930 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDynamics 365 Turnaround at Eagle Housing with Mohamed Mostafa, iPropertyCloud#35. Mohamed Mostafa is the Solutions Director at TechLabs London, best known for iPropertyCloud, a suite of business applications for property companies.In this episode, Mohamed joins me to discuss the successful implementation of iPropertyCloud at Eagle Housing*. Eagle Housing is a rapidly-growing social housing organisation that manages 11,000 properties across the UK.Eagle Housing was referred to TechLabs London by another customer when their original Dynamics 365 project wasn’t delivering the expected results.Eagle Housing went live in production eight weeks after re-starting their project with TechLabs London! Then they used an agile approach to...
2019-08-0545 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDynamics 365 for Financial Services Transformation with Andrew Bibby#34. I chat with Andrew Bibby about his successful Dynamics 365 project at Devon Financial Services*.Andrew is a Microsoft Business Applications MVP with over 12 years’ experience implementing Dynamics CRM and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement for several Microsoft partners and through his own company as an independent project advisor.The CRM project at Devon Financial Services was a five-year business transformation programme to improve the efficiency of their financial advisors by digitising paper-based client on-boarding and sales processes. Andrew’s role as an independent project advisor is to assist the customer and their Microsoft partner to achieve the proj...
2019-07-2455 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumMigrating to Dynamics 365 Business Central with Johan Adenmark and Carolina Edvinsson#33. I'm joined by Johan Adenmark and Carolina Edvinsson from NAB Solutions. NAB Solutions was a finalist in the 2019 Microsoft Partner of the Year awards for the innovative work migrating 25 Dynamics NAV customers to Dynamics 365 Business Central within just a few months.Johan and Carolina share their experience undertaking so many cloud migrations and how they've had to transform how NAB Solutions works in order to migrate or deploy one customer every couple of days.We also learn their advice for nominating your organisation for the PotY awards. This was the first time that N...
2019-07-1332 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumHow Much Have You Customised Dynamics 365?#32. Have you ever been asked:"How much have you customised Dynamics 365?""Is our CRM system customised more or less than average?""Have we customised our system too much?"I've heard this question lots of times from IT leaders who want to know whether our Dynamics 365 system will continue to be supportable, extensible, updateable and performant.But how should we answer it? Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps...
2019-07-0313 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumPower Apps Portals Disaster (Even with Scrum!)#31. Have you ever had a Dynamics 365 or Power Apps disaster?I share the tale of my failed Power Apps Portals project. It got cancelled by the client before we released it to production.What went wrong? Are there warning signs that you can spot to avoid a Dynamics disaster of your own?Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps
2019-06-1322 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumEmergent Design#30. Emergent design is an advanced practice for Microsoft Business Application team experienced in Scrum.What is emergent design?When we practice emergent design, the development team designs the solution to meet the users’ needs just before we build the feature.The opposite of emergent design is up-front design. This is when the solution is designed in the Design phase of the project, usually by a solution architect, based on the requirements specification published in the Analysis phase, and before any software has been developed.Advantages of emergent design...
2019-05-3012 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumDone! With the Power Apps Solution Checker#29. Can you use a definition of done for a sprint?I outline six ideas for a definition of done for a user story and three ideas for a definition of done for a sprint.According to the Scrum Guide, the definition of done helps us agree on when a product backlog item is complete. A sprint, on the other hand, is a time-boxed event so it's done when the time is up.But my teams have found it useful to have a definition of done for a sprint too. And one of our...
2019-05-1610 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumShawn, Stop Estimating Effort in Days! with Shawn Tabor#28. Shawn Tabor wants to know whether to estimate project effort in days or story points. Aren't they the same thing?I've used four ways of estimating effort in my Dynamics 365 projects:Counting cardsDaysT-shirtsStory pointsEstimating in days is an absolute estimation method, whereas t-shirts and story points are both relative estimation methods. This means that we compare the relative size of items using a scale, rather than trying to estimate the absolute size.Story point estimation has several benefits:It's not as critical to know exactly what types of work are i...
2019-05-0610 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumPitching Scrum to Microsoft Customers#27. Jonas Wauters from KPMG Belgium has a challenge pitching a Dynamics 365 project using Scrum to a prospective client. In particular, he'd like to know how to handle it when clients ask those three little questions:What are you going to deliver?When are you going to deliver it?How much is it going to cost?Neil's advice is to avoiding assuming that if a client is familiar with agile that everyone in the client's team is familiar with Scrum. Make sure you describe your Scrum framework in your proposal and presentation so that everyone has a c...
2019-04-2410 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumTimeline of a 2-week Sprint#26. Dan Barber, from the Customery Crew, wanted to know what it would be like inside some of Neil’s scrum events. In Scrum Dynamics 26, Neil walks Dan through one of his recent ten-day sprints day-by-day from sprint planning on Monday morning to the sprint review two weeks later. Here’s how it went…Day One. Sprint planning is at 3pm for two hours on Monday afternoon. We finalise the sprint goal, determine and determine the sprint backlog. On Tuesday morning, we start work on any stories carried over from the previous sprint, one-point stories and spikes...
2019-04-2224 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumReading Your Answers at the Daily Scrum#25. Neil is attempting a little experiment with a short, single question episode on the Amazing Applications podcast and on Youtube. Let’s see if he can answer your questions about Scrum for Dynamics 365 in ten minutes or less.The question in this episode is from Ruan Kilian, a Dynamics 365 developer in Brisbane, Australia. Ruan asks,“Is it acceptable for a developer to prepare and write down the answers to the three questions and read them out at the daily scrum?”Listen in or watch the episode to find out why Neil think it’s perfectl...
2019-04-2208 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumScrum Role Antipatterns#24. Neil covers his top 10 antipatterns for Scrum roles in Dynamics 365 projects. An antipattern looks like a good idea to a situation you were facing but wasn’t the best option when you look back on it. Antipatterns are traps that we want to help others avoid. Here are Neil's top ten antipatterns for Scrum roles: Uncommitted product owner. If your senior project stakeholder is too senior, they usually won’t have the availability required to be a committed product owner. Find someone in the next level of the organisation and backfill their job so...
2019-04-2230 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumHiring a Coach for Your Dynamics 365 Scrum Team#23. Neil and Dermot discuss when Microsoft Dynamics customers and partners should consider hiring a scrum master or agile coach for their project.What is an agile coach and how is this role different from a scrum master?A scrum master is a coach for the development team, the product owner and the organisation. Dermot reckons a scrum master can coach up to three teams.An agile coach focuses on coaching the organisation. The growth and agile mindset of the leadership team and the organisation’s digital transformation. An agile coach is fa...
2019-04-2237 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumScrum Event Antipatterns#22. Some ideas turn out to be great ideas. Some ideas look like great ideas at the time but don't turn out so well in hindsight. Those are antipatterns.A pattern is a repeatable idea that solves a common problem, and should be adopted by others. An antipattern seems like an answer to a problem, but turns out badly and should be avoided by others.There are hundreds of Scrum antipatterns you’ll encounter as you embrace Scrum in your Dynamics 365 projects. In this episode, Neil highlights the top ten Scrum event antipatterns that he's witnessed in...
2019-04-0825 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumAzure DevOps with Mark Christie#21. Mark Christie, who specialises in Dynamics 365 for Field Service at eBECS, uses Azure DevOps (formerly known as Visual Studio Team Services). He’s from Perth, the ancient capital of Scotland. On 25 January he’ll be celebrating Burns Night where the haggis is introduced to the table with bagpipes. Dynamics 365 Saturday Scotland runs on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 January, and its speakers will also be piped into the room.Azure DevOps combines planning tools such as backlogs and boards, with development tools like source control and testing with operations features to help you compile and deploy your applications.Ne...
2019-04-0534 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumScrum in the Public Sector with Seth Bacon#20. Seth Bacon and Neil catch up to discuss Scrum in the public sector.You can connect with Seth Bacon on LinkedIn and @SethTBacon on Twitter. Check out Seth’s blog/vlog, The Bacon Bytes, for Dynamics 365 administrators.Seth’s having success implementing Dynamics 365 in city, county and state organisations in health and human services.Seth and Neil discuss how to sell agile projects in public sector organisations, how to handle fixed-price, fixed-scope, fixed-timeline contracts and projects by encouraging the customer’s product owner to take control of prioritising the project scope and adopting an agi...
2019-04-0534 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumOptimising Scrum Teams#19. We’re on a mission to ensure every Microsoft customer and partner successfully implements Dynamics 365 using the Scrum framework.Do you have a question for the Scrum Dynamics podcast? Visit Customery.com and click on the Send Voicemail button to have your question feature on the show.Dermot and Neil discuss how to optimise Scrum teams on a Dynamics 365 project.Todd Mercer, from MD Financial Management in Ottawa Canada, asks “What to do motivate a team to operate at peak capacity for a long period of time? For enterprises that can’t afford a dedi...
2019-04-0443 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumSuccessfully Implementing Dynamics 365 with Scrum#18. Neil recently presented a live session on YouTube for the Dynamics 365 Community Corner. He recorded this special version of his presentation for the podcast covering:His first Dynamics CRM project using Scrum at Premier Medical GroupHow and why he switched from Microsoft Dynamics SureStep to Scrum after publishing the functional requirements documentThe horrors of basing a project plan and statement of work on a requirements specificationThe definition of Scrum as a framework, not a prescriptive methodologyScrum is one of several agile frameworks borne from the Agile ManifestoHow to describe Scrum in five minutes covering the five events, three...
2019-04-0424 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumTracking Scrum Metrics#17. Dermot and Neil discuss what to measure in your Dynamics 365 projects when you're using Scrum.Tracking velocity is the basic measure of progress. Velocity is the total number of story points of 'done' stories in each sprint and should be averaged over several sprints (usually 3 to 5 sprints).Using velocity within the team to plan the capacity for the next sprint, and by the product owner for forecasting the release.There's no velocity credit for partially done stories at the end of the sprint.Velocity predictability is a measure of how close...
2019-04-0344 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumSprint Review and Sprint Retrospective#16. Dermot and Neil talk about the last two events in a sprint: the sprint review and the sprint retrospective, including:The format of sprint reviews and retrospectivesHow these events are structuredWho should attendHow to tailor them for Dynamics 365 projectsSupport the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps Keep experimenting 🧪-Neil
2019-04-0340 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumMore Listeners' Q&A#15. Dermot’s picked up his Professional Scrum Master II and Professional Scrum Product Owner certifications. Good timing, Dermot, because our first question was from Dick Clark at eBECS who has a client project who wants to get certified in Scrum.Neil has recorded the Scrum Guide as an audio stream on SoundCloud to help Dermot get to sleep at night, and they debate whether holding a Scrum certification or having experience is more important for scrum masters.Squads, Tribes, Chapters and Guilds. Dermot gives Neil a primer on the types of groups Scrum teams use to...
2019-04-0333 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumLaunching Jupiter#14. Neil provides a behind-the-scenes peek into ‘Orientation Week’ in his Dynamics 365 project kicking off this week, the Jupiter Programme.Orientation Week (O-Week) is designed to onboard two Scrum teams so that they can start delivering the Dynamics 365 workstream of an enterprise programme as quickly as possible. I talk through some of the planned O-Week activities and provide my assessment of some of the project’s risks and strengths.What are your experiences of launching new Dynamics 365 projects? Get involved in the discussion in the Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps group on LinkedIn.Support the show
2019-04-0319 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumSprint Planning#13. Neil covers all aspects of sprint planning for Dynamics 365 projects:What is sprint planning and when does it take place?Who attends sprint planning, and what to do if the product owner can’t make it?How long is sprint planning?What happens during sprint planning? Sprint goals, sprint backlog forecasting, Dynamics 365 feature design.What’s needed for sprint planning?Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business...
2019-04-0311 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumThe Sprint Backlog#12. Co-hosts, Neil and Dermot (yes, he's back!), discuss the sprint backlog.What is the sprint backlog and how does it relate to the product backlog? Who is responsible for the sprint backlog and who can change it?How the development team and the product owner negotiate the contents of the sprint backlog, with the help of the scrum master.The effect of swapping items out of the sprint backlog. How to handle capacity issues towards the end of the sprint when you’re ahead of or behind schedule.Using a ‘Definition of Ready’ to ensure that stories...
2019-04-0336 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumEstimating the Product Backlog Using Planning Poker#11. Estimating product backlog items using planning poker is the topic for this episode.The benefits of planning poker: gain a shared understanding of the work, bring diverse perspectives to the estimation process and estimate the work as we learn about the Dynamics 365 system.Who plays planning poker: the role of Scrum team developers, the product owner and proxy product owners in estimation.When to play planning poker during each sprint: sprint planning and storytime. What to play planning poker with: planning poker cards, PlanningPoker.com, Planitpoker.com or Scrumpoker.online, or ScrumPoker4Devs from the Visual Studio M...
2019-04-0221 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumThe Product Backlog#10. Neil compares the to-do list on his 100-year old house to the product backlog and goes on to describe:Using epics to capture your project scopeGetting your product backlog startedEstimating backlog items using story points and not t-shirt sizes or ideal daysUser stories, spikes, chores and bugsThe product backlog in sprint planning and sprint reviewsRefining the product backlog in storytime workshopsManaging the backlog in Atlassian JIRA or Visual Studio Team Services.Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀...
2019-04-0215 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumLearning Scrum with Nick Doelman#9. Neil is joined by Nick Doelman (@ReadyXRM) who shares his experience learning Scrum and applying it to one of his recent Dynamics 365 projects.During the episode we cover:Nick’s background in Dynamics 365 since CRM 1.0 betaSome of his recent projects for a community organisation organising summer camps, classic car auctioneer, certification portal for a company in the mining industry, a telecommunications company in the Caribbean, a reinsurance company, and othersBefore starting a large Dynamics 365 implementation, Nick got started with Scrum by taking some online training coursesUsing the Scrum Framework on Pluralsight Introduction to Scrum for Dynamics 365 by...
2019-04-0234 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumListeners’ Q&A#8. Dermot and Neil answer questions submitted by podcast listeners about:Estimating chores to reduce technical debt (Todd Mercer).Prioritizing items with dependencies and the principle of emergent design (Alan Rachid).Whether business analysts are part of the development team or not (Greta Sharples).Planning agile projects, especially in the sales cycle (Jeffry van de Vuurst).You can submit your questions by tweeting @customery or clicking on the Send Voicemail button anywhere on the Customery website.Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn ...
2019-04-0124 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumSprints and the Daily Scrum#7. Dermot and Neil discuss sprints and the daily scrum events in a Scrum project. What's the ideal sprint length when you're using Scrum on a Dynamics 365 project?When is it a good idea to use special sprints like Sprint 0 or a hardening sprint?Can you cancel a sprint?What's the purpose of the daily scrum?How can we run the daily scrum with remote teams?Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps...
2019-04-0141 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumThe Development Team#6. Neil and Dermot discuss the development team in a Scrum project implementing Dynamics 365.Covered in this show:The role of the development team in a Scrum projectWhat it means to be cross-functional and self-organizingHow many developers should be in your dev teamSupport the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps 🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps 📐 Estimating Business Apps Keep experimenting 🧪-Neil
2019-04-0125 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumSuccess with Scrum for Dynamics 365#5. This episode of Scrum Dynamics is brought to you live from the Dynamics 365 User Group Summit EMEA in Dublin, Ireland. In this session, Neil covers the basics of Scrum and best practices for each of Scrum’s roles, events, and deliverables from his Dynamics 365 and CRM projects over the last ten years. He also highlights the lessons learned from his first Scrum for Dynamics CRM project at Premier Medical Group.Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY ONLINE COURSES🚀 Agile Foundati...
2019-04-0127 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumThe Role of the Scrum Master#4. Neil and Dermot discuss the role of the scrum master in a Dynamics 365 project.A servant leaderIs the scrum master a project manager?The role of the scrum master in sprint eventsThe three questions a scrum master asks during daily standupProject planningReviews and retrospectivesDo Dynamics 365 scrum masters need to be Microsoft certified?Can scrum masters have other scrum team roles such as product owner or developer?What are the characteristics of a good scrum masterTechniques that a scrum master should knowCan a client provide their own scrum master when the dev team is from a Microsoft partner?
2019-04-0124 min
Amazing Apps - learn how to build agile Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business apps using ScrumThe Product Owner#3. Neil introduces the role of the Product Owner in Dynamics 365 projects, including:The primary responsibility of the Product OwnerFive ways the Product Owner manages the Product BacklogCharacteristics of great Product OwnersHow a Product Owner spends their timeHow to use Proxy Product OwnersTop ten tips for Product OwnersWhere do Product Owners come from?Remember to download the Scrum Terms cheat sheet for a handy guide to all the Scrum terms you hear in this episode.Support the showCONNECT🌏 Amazing Apps website🟦 Customery on LinkedIn🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn MY...
2019-04-0112 min