Shows
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 min
Practice 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...2024-02-2613 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...2023-11-0749 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...2023-10-0220 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...2023-09-1945 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 ecosystem2023-08-2132 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