Shows
Two Scrums UpUnlocking Flow State on TeamsIt’s the Season 2 finale, we’re at the top of the mountain, and Sarah Rose and John are here to show you the view. Accompanied by multidisciplinary designer and founder of /ayd, Charis Alexander, they explore the question of what is really at the heart of driving ourselves and our teams towards more meaningful achievement? Together, they’ll guide you through the ways in which cultivating psychologically safe, equity-minded teams is a precursor to Flow State which, in turn, is the foundation of peak performance. In fact, the entanglement between these concepts is such that one experience may not be...2021-06-0849 minTwo Scrums UpFeedForward: Feedback Models for GrowthWhat is the right way to engage in feedback conversations? In this episode, John and Sarah Rose challenge traditional, default modes of feedback, including telling it how it is, blaming, and constructive criticism—all of which are unidirectional and assume one “right” answer. Instead, your intrepid hosts guide you out of the binary realm of one truth and walk you step by step through alternative models that contribute to building a feedback culture for growth._____Referenced this week: Exploring the relationship between learning and leadership. Leadership & Organization Development Journal. (Brown & Posner, 2001).Leading adult learnin...2021-05-2540 minTwo Scrums UpPowerful Praise and The Pitfalls of PrizesBeware the default mode of prizes and back-pats lest you drain the power from praise. Trite and nonspecific praise can at best offer minimal value, and at worst create a system of winners and losers. We know it’s common to under-communicate genuinely positive, appreciative, and admiring regard for our coworkers in a powerful way. That's why Sarah Rose and John are jumping into the deep end of the praise pool and focusing this episode on sharing 3 tactical checkpoints to examine, reform, and transform your team’s practice of praise. _____Referenced this week: E...2021-05-1134 minTwo Scrums UpTeam Autonomy: A Necessity, Not Just a NicetyScrum teams perform at their best when given the trust to be self-managing, the freedom to decide how their work gets done, and clear goals for the sprint ahead. But what are the limitations on autonomy and what does it look like to protect it in the face of pressure from different stakeholders? In this episode, Sarah Rose and John discuss autonomy’s nemeses—like the micromanager and the illusion of democracy—in order to finally set the record straight: Scrum team members are not order-takers, overtime heroes, or planning poker lobbyists. There are clear ways to support team autono...2021-04-2750 minTwo Scrums UpAn Equitable Seat at the Scrum Team TableWe could talk about the core Scrum values ‘til the cows come home — Focus, Openness, Commitment, Courage, and Respect! HOWEVER, what does it look like to reflect and act on those core values from the perspective of an ally? Sarah Rose and John share their own experiences as allies and times they wished they had an ally. Through those experiences, they analyze the critical impact of recognizing different voices on a team as a way to make sure no team member remains invisible.----Referenced this week:Black Futures [ONE...2021-04-1337 minTwo Scrums UpProtocols: Our Highway to the Comfort, Risk, and Danger ZonesMaking the most of collaborative time is challenging. Whether it's designing, brainstorming, planning, or learning, discussion protocols offer structured processes to support focused and productive conversations, build collective understanding, and drive equitable team improvement. In this episode, Sarah Rose and John divulge the secret sauce of protocols and, as a treat, try out a long-time favorite that you can take back to your team: Zones of Comfort, Risk, and Danger!----Referenced this week: John's ZonesSarah Rose's ZonesProtocols:Zones of Comfort, Risk, and Danger Microlabs f...2021-03-3052 minTwo Scrums UpParticipation, Power dynamics, and Engaging diverse perspectives, with Linda RosenburyHow might we practice what we know to be true in theory: in SCRUM, the more team members who are able to exercise their voice, the better the final product will be.In this episode, we learn from Linda Rosenbury— superintendent of schools in Washington State and Doctoral Student at Harvard's Educational Leadership Program. Linda's experience working with adults from diverse racial, socio-economic and linguistic backgrounds crystallizes specific strategies for engaging all voices to participate so teams talk during meetings instead of later at the Slack water cooler.----Referenced this week:Li...2021-03-1633 minTwo Scrums UpVulnerability, Making Mistakes, and Being WrongVulnerability, making mistakes, and being wrong are critical to our teams’ success! As leaders across Scrum roles, in modeling our own vulnerability through seeking help, sharing fears, admitting mistakes, or admitting failure we invite the same in our team. In this episode, we reflect on our mistakes, argue about the separation of work and home, and discuss how an atmosphere of vulnerability opens the door to creativity, learning, and growth.----For further learning...Innovation is not enough: Climates for initiative and psychological safety, process innovations, and firm performance (Markus Baer & Michael Frese, Jo...2021-03-0247 minTwo Scrums UpOvercoming Scrum Team SilenceWhen silence becomes a pattern on a Scrum team — mayday! — we have a problem. Identifying different types of employee silence and understanding how to address them is the first step towards reviving team voice. Whether it’s fear, embarrassment, a narrow sense of ethical responsibility, or lacking room to speak up, learn how silence can be destructive and how to work with your team to move past it.----For you to use right away:Read: Destructive role of employee silence in organizational success. (Beheshtifar, Borhani, & Moghadam, 2012)Listen: How to Build P...2021-02-1642 minTwo Scrums UpNew Season; New NormsSeason 2 begins with an exuberant welcome to new co-host, Sarah Rose Belok! Learn why clear and upheld norms can steer teams beyond unproductive behaviors to do their BEST work (even teams of two!). John and Sarah Rose model how to identify and finalize a set of norms, by working through their own norms for the podcast.----Podcast NormsBe transparent about where we're at. Only record show when we're both ready.Tell me where your head is at. This will help us adapt to our moods and tones. S...2021-02-0239 minTwo Scrums UpSEASON TWO IS COMING....A quick(ish) update on the show -- enjoy!2021-01-0509 min
Two Scrums UpPsychological SafetyThere's a huge difference between being told this is a safe space and a space actually being safe. In this episode, Sarah Rose Belok unpacks how psychological safety can be fostered, honored, and maintained on a team.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-12-2938 min
Two Scrums UpUser Story MappingAll the agility in a project isn't worth its salt unless the end result is usable. User Story Mapping can help. Friend of the show, Jaimie Olmstead, explains how to navigate a team through their product user's journey to build a backlog, identify any missing items, and paint a complete picture of a project plan.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-12-2247 min
Two Scrums UpDelivering Delight: Going Beyond the MVPScrum champions the MVP: deliver the minimum rapidly so you can iterate as soon as possible. But what about those moments when we find enough time to not only deliver an MVP but throw in a little extra delight to boot. Learn how Alley's Director of Development Operations Ben Bolton manages to deliver maximum value in an MVP package.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-12-1546 min
Two Scrums UpWhat to Know When You're New to ScrumStandups. Backlogs. Fibonacci numbers? Getting up to speed with Scrum can be a challenge. This week, Senior UX Developer Kaitlin Bolling shares her tips and shortcuts to going from a Scrum zero to a Scrum hero!----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-12-0833 min
Two Scrums UpClosing Time: What to Do at Sprint's EndProjects are full of many big decision points, but what about the small decisions we make every day. In this episode, Ken and John discuss the choices we make to fully close out a sprint.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-12-0134 min
Two Scrums UpContracts & ScrumHow can you navigate the natural tension between scoped bodies of work and the agility of Scrum? Alley Partner and Chief Strategy Officer, Brad Campeau-Laurion, discusses the nuts and bolts of contracts in an Agile environment.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-11-2427 min
Two Scrums UpRuthless PrioritizationScrum relies on doing the most important work first, but how can you prioritize two competing deliverables for a single team? In this episode, D. Scott DiPerna walks us through ways to make tough decisions less daunting and how to more courageously deliver on our product backlog.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-11-1733 min
Two Scrums UpEmergency ProcedureDelivering Agile projects isn't about having an emergency-free experience - far from it. But, by taking the time to develop and document emergency procedures on your team will guarantee that when the fire drills start, everyone will know what to do and how to quickly move beyond them.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-11-1033 min
Two Scrums UpThe Power of SpikesSometimes, the best way to move fast is to go slow. Taking a breather to more closely research or investigate a stakeholder request before doing the work can help a project in the long run. On this episode, Pattie Reaves and Allan Collins walk us through how to best map out the way forward before charging headlong into code.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-11-0337 min
Two Scrums UpSpooky Scrum StoriesA bit of spooky fun this week. Instead of our normal show sharing our scrum successes and missteps, we give you three scary stories with an agile tinge to them. 100% fiction. 100% fun. Enjoy!----Sound effects and music courtesy of Daniel Gale Rosen, Mixkit.co (under the Mixkit Sound Effects Free License), and ZapSplat.com.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-10-2722 min
Two Scrums UpIndividuals and Interactions over Processes and ToolsA team with the best tools and smoothest processes won't deliver success if they aren't working together. In this episode, we discuss one of the core tenets of the Agile Manifesto: value Individuals and Interactions most. Learn how communication, caring, and clarity leads to project success.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-10-2027 min
Two Scrums UpT-shaped Team TimeScrum doesn't have time for "that's not my job" silos. 100% clarity and collaboration delivers the best results. In this episode, we discuss what being T-shaped means, and how any member of a team can help unblock a colleague, regardless of specialization.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-10-1329 min
Two Scrums UpSwarmingTeam, team, team - we say all the time how Scrum focuses on the power of teams over individuals. Swarming - working together on a shared problem - is one example of how a Scrum team is stronger together.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-10-0637 min
Two Scrums UpUsing Scrum for MarketingAlong with special guest Daniel Gale-Rosen, Alley's Director of Marketing, Ken and John unpack how Scrum's framework can be applied to marketing. Hear how Scrum makes the work to "make work visible" visible.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-09-2931 min
Two Scrums UpSprint Reviews / Sprint DemosCall it a Sprint Review or a Sprint Demo, but this Scrum ritual is all about transparency and iteration. Join special guest Michael Muniz as he helps us unpack the benefits of regularly sharing what the team has accomplished.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-09-2229 min
Two Scrums UpScrum in a Remote Agency EnvironmentWe say it every week: this show is about "practicing scrum in an agency environment." To kick it up a notch, we're also a fully remote agency. How does Scrum - a framework that advises teams to share the same physical space - work when team members can be a few miles, often a few timezones, apart? Listen and find out!----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-09-1531 min
Two Scrums UpHunting for ImpedimentsA good scrum master removes impediments for the team but a great scrum master removes impediments before the team is ever aware of them. Check out this episode where John and Ken share some stories and talk all things impediment removal. ----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-09-0840 min
Two Scrums UpScrum Metrics and Performance TrackingSTOP — data time! On this episode, Alley's VP of Product Strategy and resident data aficionado, Jeff Stanger, shares tips and tricks on how to gather and analyze Scrum metrics for single teams as well as entire organizations running Scrum@Scale. Come for the data; stay for the OG remix at the end of the episode.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-09-0149 min
Two Scrums UpBacklog RefinementAdding items to a Product Backlog is easy. How do you keep what can become an overwhelming list of half-formed ideas in check? Refine it! In this episode, Certified Product Owner Rebecca Viser shares practical advice on ensuring a backlog delivers the most valuable value every Sprint. ----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-08-2543 min
Two Scrums UpNo BossesLet's dig into the concept of Coaching: a purposeful departure from top-down management. How does this relationship work in a flat organization? Find out with special guests Pattie Reaves and Owen Stowe.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-08-1844 min
Two Scrums UpScrum RolesThe first bit of the oft-referenced 3-5-3 of Scrum, the three Scrum Roles provide clarity to teams by identifying primary owners of various project needs. What are they and how can they be best used? Find out more in this episode.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-08-1129 min
Two Scrums UpScrum at HomeYou've heard it said that Scrum works across a variety of industries, but what about the largest one: Homelife! Alley's Chief Operating Officer, Bridget McNulty, educates John and Ken on how to use Scrum at home. That Honey-do list won't know what hit it.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-08-0435 min
Two Scrums UpMake Work VisibleFoster transparency and ownership on your Scrum team by making work (both in-progress and completed) visible. Learn how ticketing hidden work, getting up close and personal with manual burndown charts, and supporting a full-team demoing will increase both productivity and team happiness. ----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-07-2842 min
Two Scrums UpI Love It When Sprint Planning Comes TogetherA man! A plan! A canal! Panama! Paige Campbell joins Ken and John to help demystify Sprint Planning. Learn how proper planning leads to productive sprints.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-07-2135 min
Two Scrums UpSprint GoalsHow did your last sprint go? If you only judge sprints based on velocity, your team is only seeing the tip of the iceberg! Learn how Sprint Goals can enhance team happiness and productivity.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-07-1421 min
Two Scrums UpLIVE SHOW: Rethinking the Daily StandupKen, John, and 60 of their closest coworkers & friends got together on a Zoom to talk about the Daily Standup. Find out how to get twice the benefits in half the time with some tips and tricks on this Scrum ritual.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-07-0723 min
Two Scrums UpStory PointsJohn and Ken take a deep dive into story points and discuss how to use them, their benefits over time-only estimates, and share some examples! Find out why estimating is CUTER with story points! ----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-06-3043 min
Two Scrums UpAgile DesignHow do the cadence and depth of user experience research and design thinking map to Scrum? Alley's VP of UX, Susan Finkelpearl, explains it all (in the name of the Pittsburgh Steelers).----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-06-2341 min
Two Scrums UpContinuous Improvement with KaizenA Scrum team should be continuously working to improve their output, their process, and themselves. One way to foster this progress is through Kaizen tickets each sprint. Ken and John welcome Taylor Fargo Strachan to discuss ways to empower Scrum teams to always be improving.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-06-1640 min
Two Scrums UpBring a BufferHow can you gracefully handle the inevitable interruptions and urgencies that crop up for your Scrum team sprint? By bringing a buffer to every sprint! Find out what a Scrum buffer is and how it can help your team better serve your stakeholders in real-time!----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-06-0923 min
Two Scrums UpSprint RetrosOne of the ways to drive continuous improvement on a Scrum team is with the Sprint Retrospective. Listen to Ken, John, and special guest Jaimie Olmstead share how they maximize team growth and process improvement with this Scrum ritual.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-06-0238 min
Two Scrums UpProduct BacklogScrum has two backlogs. This episode is about the Product Backlog, which contains all the work we might do in a project. Learn how to use it and conceptualize it throughout the life of a project from this episode.----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-05-2634 min
Two Scrums UpInterview with JJ SutherlandQ&A with JJ Sutherland, the CEO of Scrum Inc and author of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time and The Scrum Fieldbook. JJ answers some of our biggest questions and shares some Scrum insights. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did! ----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-05-1936 min
Two Scrums UpIs Scrum too rigid?Do the foundational rules of Scrum interfere with project productivity and flow? Let's find out in this episode!----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-05-1228 min
Two Scrums UpWhy Scrum?We work at Alley: a fully remote web agency. Back in 2018, we put the entire agency through an Agile transformation, and now are a dedicated Scrum@Scale shop. Why did we go all-in with Scrum? Find out in this episode!----Do you want to learn more about Scrum? Follow us!Twitter / Facebook: scrumsup | Instagram: twoscrumsupFind out more about Alley at https://alley.co2020-04-2931 min