Shows
Definitely, Maybe AgileWhy Dedicated Teams FAIL (And What Actually Works Instead)🚨 Struggling to implement Agile because you can't get dedicated cross-functional teams? You're not alone.In this episode, Dave Sharrock and Peter Maddison tackle one of the BIGGEST challenges facing late-adopter organizations: how to increase productivity and deliver value when dedicated teams just aren't in the cards.In this episode, we explore:Why the "dedicated team first" approach often crashes in traditional organizationsThe hidden dysfunctions and perverse incentives that keep teams fragmented (spoiler: it's about promotions and funding)The famous "Sock Factory Parable" explains cross-functional alignment perfectlyHow context switching kills productivity with scarce spe...
2025-10-1625 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileHow AI is Transforming UX and Agile Teams with Nick CawthonIn this episode, hosts Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock sit down with Nick Cawthon to explore how generative AI is revolutionizing the relationship between UX, design, and agile development.Key Topics:Embedding UX research into agile sprints, balancing short-term feedback loops with long-term strategic insightsThe "electric bicycle" analogy: How AI gives teams superpowers but can also accelerate you in the wrong directionWhy Nick believes he'll never use Figma again, shifting from design tools to code-native prototypingBuilding functional prototypes using company design systems and generative AI toolsThe evolution of team size: From 6-8 person cross-functional...
2025-10-0929 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileProduct Diseases and Vision-Driven Development with Radhika DuttIn this episode, Dave and Peter sit down with Radhika Dutt, author of "Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter," to explore why iteration-obsessed product development is failing organizations.Radhika shares hard-learned lessons from her 25-year career across diverse industries and five acquisitions, introducing the concept of "product diseases" like hero syndrome, pivotitis, and obsessive sales disorder that plague modern product teams. She challenges conventional wisdom around OKRs and goal-setting, explaining why they often create an illusion of performance while masking real problems.The conversation explores why goals, targets, and...
2025-09-1836 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileWhat Your Employees Are Really Thinking with James WarrenWhat happens when you look beyond survey data to understand what's really driving your organizational culture? James Warren, founder of Share More Stories, reveals how analyzing employee and customer stories at scale uncovers the hidden "how" and "why" that traditional data misses.His most surprising discovery? Trust has become the single most predictive emotion across all industries. Companies with high trust create lasting loyalty, while low-trust organizations remain vulnerable no matter how well they're currently performing.Warren shares a compelling healthcare case where well-intentioned technology actually destroyed employee experience by preventing human connections, plus insights...
2025-09-0436 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileCybersecurity Insights with Peter BuckleyFormer HSBC Canada CISO Peter Buckley shares practical cybersecurity advice for small and medium enterprises. Despite having fewer resources, SMEs face the same cyber threats as large corporations, ransomware and data breaches.Peter breaks down how organizations can manage 80% of their cyber risk through smart planning and leveraging existing tools, without requiring massive budgets or dedicated security teams. We explore how cybersecurity extends beyond technology into HR practices, organizational culture, and the power of community collaboration.Three Key Takeaways:Have a Plan: Create and regularly test an incident response plan that outlines...
2025-07-1727 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileAI and Knowledge Management with Derek CragerIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock are joined by Derek Crager, a seasoned engineer turned AI entrepreneur who shares his journey from blue-collar work to building AI-powered knowledge management solutions. Derek discusses how AI is transforming workplace onboarding, knowledge transfer, and personal productivity, drawing parallels between today's AI revolution and the early days of the internet.Derek brings a practical perspective on implementing AI in enterprise environments, focusing on his company's voice-powered AI assistant "Pocket Mentor" that helps organizations capture tribal knowledge and streamline employee onboarding. The conversation explores the challenges...
2025-06-1930 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileBuilding Remote Teams Through Culture with Leandro CartelliTalent acquisition remains stuck in the past while organizations have drastically evolved. "We still hire like it's 1999," explains Leandro Cartelli, CEO of Lana Talent, highlighting a critical disconnect between modern business needs and outdated hiring practices.In this episode, Dave and Peter explore with Leandro how successful teams are built through strategic cultural assessment rather than simple skill matching. The conversation reveals the difference between "cultural fit" and "cultural add," and how one retail company reduced their 80% turnover rate by half, saving millions through targeted assessment questions.Leandro breaks down why remote team success hinges o...
2025-06-1237 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileProduct Manager Impact with Shobhit ChughIn this insightful episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Shobhit, CEO and founder of Intentional Product Manager, shares his journey from engineer to McKinsey consultant to Google product manager, and now to coaching others in building fulfilling product careers. The conversation explores the challenges of breaking into product management, the critical differences between product managers and product owners, and how to demonstrate true value in an increasingly competitive field.This week´s takeaways:Master the "What if I wasn't here?" question - The most powerful way for product managers to stand out is b...
2025-05-2933 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileFrom Vision to Execution with Mark ReichWhy do so many organizational strategies end up as posters on walls rather than driving real change? In this episode, Dave and Peter dive deep with Mark Reich, who spent 23 years at Toyota before joining the Lean Enterprise Institute, to examine how Toyota's legendary Hoshin Kanri system transforms strategic thinking into coordinated action.This week´s takeaways:Systems Over Silos: Toyota's integrated management system creates both vertical alignment (connecting corporate objectives to frontline work) and horizontal alignment (ensuring cross-functional collaboration).Value-Creating Managers: Middle management layers should be redefined a...
2025-05-2234 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileFlow States in Remote Teams with Steven PuriIn this episode of Definitely, Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock welcome Steven Puri, Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company. Drawing from his unique background spanning Hollywood film production and tech startups, Steven shares fascinating insights about achieving flow states in remote and hybrid work environments.Steven's journey from IBM software engineer to Hollywood executive (where he helped manage franchises like Die Hard and Wolverine at studios including DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox) provides a refreshing perspective on team productivity and creative collaboration. He explains how the film industry has long mastered the...
2025-05-1538 min
Definitely, Maybe AgileThe Hidden Cost of Temporary FixesQuick fixes turning into permanent problems? You're not alone.In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock tackle "longstanding risks" – those temporary solutions that somehow become permanent fixtures in our systems. From memory-leaking services to utility companies skipping maintenance, they explore how small shortcuts create massive long-term costs.This Week's Takeaways:Document your band-aids with clear reasoning and next stepsProtect team capacity to enable thoughtful decision-makingFocus on system resilience rather than trying to prevent every failurePerfect for engineering leaders, DevOps teams, and anyone managing co...
2025-05-0817 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileWhen Do You Start Work?In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the critical question: "How do we know when work is ready to start developing?" They discuss the challenges of translating business requirements into technical implementation, the importance of having the right people in collaborative discussions, and practical approaches to defining "ready" work. Peter shares recent experiences with organizations struggling with this exact problem, while Dave highlights how trust between business and technology teams impacts the handoff process. They explore visual collaboration techniques, the concept of "full kit," and practical ways to determine if work is truly...
2025-04-2418 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileHow AI Agents Are Transforming Enterprise Data Work with Suzanne El-MoursiIn this insightful conversation with Suzanne El-Moursi, co-founder and CEO of BrightHive, Peter and Dave explore how organizations are addressing the growing gap between data volume and analytical capacity. Suzanne reveals that while 90% of the world's data was created in just the last two years, only about 3% of enterprise employees are data professionals, creating a massive bottleneck where business teams must wait in line for insights from central data teams.BrightHive's solution is an "agentic data team in a box" – seven AI agents that work in unison to handle the entire data lifecycle from ingestion to go...
2025-04-1741 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileAI, Change Management, and Team AutonomyIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore how increasing technological capabilities—particularly AI and modern development tools—are changing the landscape of organizational change management. They discuss the implications of newly created capacity, the value of team autonomy, and the importance of balancing efficiency with innovation.This week´s takeaways:Creating capacity through new technologies doesn't mean downsizing teams—it means enabling organizations to address previously neglected but valuable work while maintaining knowledge pipelines.Team autonomy is crucial for effective change management—when teams have both direction and freedom to make deci...
2025-04-1017 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileCareer Paths for Scrum Masters and Product OwnersIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock tackle an often overlooked but critical topic: career progression for Scrum Masters and Product Owners. They explore how organizations initiate these crucial Agile roles but frequently fail to consider their long-term evolution within the company structure.The discussion contrasts the divergent career trajectories of these two roles. For Product Owners, a clearer path exists from managing individual products to becoming Chief Product Owners and potentially Line of Business managers, though challenges arise when the role lacks proper autonomy or is treated as a part-time...
2025-04-0320 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileHow OKRs Drive Strategic Alignment and Team AutonomyIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock dive into the world of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). They explore how this increasingly popular framework helps organizations create alignment, measure progress, and foster autonomy while moving away from traditional KPIs. From the origins at Intel in the 70s to widespread adoption by tech giants like Google, Peter and David discuss the nuances of implementing OKRs effectively and why they're particularly well-suited for organizations operating in rapidly changing environments.This week´s takeaways:Unlike KPIs which measure performance, OKRs measure p...
2025-03-2719 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileIs Your Organization's Approach to Risk Outdated?When was the last time raising risk in your organization led to anything other than slowing down? Join hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock as they challenge conventional thinking about risk management in the age of rapid technological change. This episode reveals why traditional approaches might be putting your organization in greater danger.Drawing from their battle-tested experience working with financial and technology organizations, Peter and David crack open the uncomfortable truth: many companies still treat risk management as a checkbox exercise rather than a competitive advantage. They reveal how the explosion of data analytics capabilities...
2025-03-2019 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileProduct Market Fit vs. Solution Fit with David HirschfeldIn this insightful episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," hosts Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock welcome David Hirschfeld, founder and CEO of Tekyz Inc, to discuss the complexities of effective product management. A 35-year software development veteran and former physics student from UCLA, David brings a unique perspective shaped by leadership roles at tech giants like Computer Associates, Texas Instruments, Intel, and Motorola.The conversation explores the critical balance between product market fit and product solution fit, with David emphasizing why focusing on customer problems rather than product features leads to greater success. Whether you're a startup...
2025-03-1327 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileThe PRFAQ Framework with Marcelo CalbucciIn this engaging episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," hosts Peter Maddison and David Sharrock welcome Marcelo Calbucci, author of "The PR FAQ Framework." Marcelo shares his expertise from 25+ years at companies like Amazon and Microsoft, plus his extensive startup experience.The conversation explores the Press Release and Frequently Asked Questions (PR FAQ) framework developed at Amazon around 2004. This approach helps teams clarify vision and strategy before jumping into execution, addressing a common problem in software projects. Unlike PowerPoint presentations that can create an "illusion of clarity," the PR FAQ document promotes alignment and ownership through collaborative...
2025-03-0630 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileIntake Funnels and Definitions of Ready: Measuring Progress in AgileIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock dive into the nuances of intake funnels and definitions of ready—key concepts for ensuring work progresses effectively. They explore how traditional project delivery mindsets differ from product-driven approaches, emphasizing the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and decision points that prevent wasted effort.From setting clear entry criteria to measuring throughput and pivoting when needed, they break down how teams can structure their workflows to prioritize value-driven outcomes. Whether you're refining your backlog, managing stakeholder ex...
2025-02-2614 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileAgile: The Cult, the Hype, and the Reality In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the evolution of Agile methodologies. They discuss how Agile represents solutions to persistent problems that may be rebranded but address fundamental needs. The hosts examine why Agile has faced criticism, drawing parallels to Lean's journey from buzzword to established methodology, while exploring the challenges organizations face in implementation.This week´s takeaways: The fundamental problems Agile addresses remain constant, even as attitudes toward the methodology evolve.Organizations often struggle with Agile implementation due to legacy architecture, leadership buy-in, and organizational context.Lik...
2025-02-1318 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileWhy Documentation and Terminology Matter?In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the critical role of documentation, terminology, and process definition in scaling organizational success. They discuss how leading companies like Netflix build strong cultures through well-defined terms and principles rather than rigid processes. The hosts dive deep into how architectural decisions, cultural transformation, and team empowerment all stem from having a shared organizational language. Through real-world examples and references to modern practices, they examine the balance between principle-based leadership and necessary process documentation in creating high-performing organizations.This week´s takeaways:Shared t...
2025-02-0519 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileQuarterly planningIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the evolution of quarterly planning from traditional PI planning events to more streamlined modern approaches. They discuss how effective quarterly planning reveals organizational dependencies, aligns priorities across teams, and helps maintain focus on delivering value. The hosts share insights on avoiding common pitfalls like over-planning future work and emphasize the importance of maintaining flexibility while ensuring clear direction for immediate execution.This week´s takeaways:Clear, sequenced priorities shared across teams - focus on completing initiatives before starting new onesDetailed planning f...
2025-01-1616 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileTransforming Project Management: Embracing Agile and DevOps for true value and adaptabilityIn this thought-provoking episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, hosts Peter Maddison and Dave Sharrock explore how successful organizations deliver value in today's complex environment. Discover why project success demands both effective execution and tangible business outcomes. The hosts examine the crucial differences between ordered and unordered problem spaces, revealing when to apply Agile versus traditional project management approaches. Learn practical insights about balancing execution with outcomes, and why the most successful organizations master both methodologies. Essential listening for project managers, Agile practitioners, and technology leaders navigating modern delivery challenges.This week's takeaways:Organizations succeed...
2025-01-0916 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileProduct BacklogIn this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the nuances of product backlogs in agile environments. They discuss the tension between emergent backlogs and fixed feature sets, the importance of backlog management, and various prioritization techniques, including "buy a feature" and impact-effort matrices.This week's takeaways:Separate tactical (near-term) and strategic backlogs to reduce psychological pressure and maintain focus - avoid creating extensive long-term backlogs that will likely become irrelevant.Stakeholder prioritization must be balanced with technical constraints and team capabilities - product owners should communicate changes in delivery...
2024-12-1126 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileRethinking Leadership in Decision-MakingJoin Peter Maddison and David Sharrock in this thought-provoking episode of Definitely Maybe Agile as they explore the evolution of leadership decision-making in modern organizations. They dive deep into how traditional leadership models are being challenged by today's business environment and discuss the crucial shift from control-based to collaborative decision-making approaches.This week´s takeaways:  Executive decision-making challenges often stem from two distinct factors: emotional intelligence issues (dealing with unprepared stakeholders) and critical thinking problems (legitimate exploration of complex issues).  The traditional "highest paid person's opinion" (HiPPO) approach to decision-making is becoming increasingly dangerous in to...
2024-12-0512 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileTotal Cost of Ownership (TCO)In this episode of Definitely Maybe Agile, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the evolving complexities of calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO) in modern software development and delivery.This week´s takeaways:TCO fundamentals remain unchanged, but the environment for calculating and applying TCO has become more complex.Organizations must distinguish between strategic proprietary development and commoditized solutions, using tools like Wardley mapping to identify where to invest versus reduce costs.Understanding and defining system boundaries is crucial for accurate TCO calculation - using approaches like value chain mapping, value stream mapping, or...
2024-11-2815 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileBeyond Big Data to Smart GovernanceIn this thought-provoking episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock dive deep into the evolving world of enterprise data management and its impact on modern organizations. From data hygiene to governance, discover how the definition of corporate data has dramatically shifted in recent years and what it means for your business.This week´s takeaways:How regulatory compliance is reshaping data management practicesThe critical balance between quantitative and qualitative data in decision-makingThe impact of AI and LLMs on data analysis and sentiment trackingWhether you're a technology leader, da...
2024-11-2120 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileAI's Role in Modern SDLCIn this episode of "Definitely Maybe Agile," Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the application of generative AI in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). While many organizations focus solely on using AI tools like GitHub Copilot for coding, the hosts discuss a broader vision of how AI can enhance the entire development process, from ideation to maintenance. They delve into innovative concepts like organizational knowledge agents and AI-assisted work prioritization systems.This week´s takeaways:SDLC optimization - A key value creation area that continues to evolve through new approaches and technologies.AI applications ex...
2024-11-1316 minDefinitely, Maybe AgileCommon Pitfalls in Agile TransformationsIn this episode of the Definitely, Maybe Agile podcast, Peter Maddison and David Sharrock explore the critical challenges they've encountered when working on agile transformations. From superficial leadership support to misdiagnosed organizational problems, these seasoned consultants share their insights on navigating the complex obstacles that can undermine transformation efforts. They also discuss the dynamics of working with strong-willed leaders, managing shifting priorities, and the importance of dedicated teams - all while highlighting the fundamental role of effective leadership in driving successful change. This episode offers valuable lessons for any organization embarking on an agile journey at scale....
2024-11-0712 min