gile retrospectives Archives - Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast

Paddy Corry: Reflecting and requesting feedback as a way to grow into the Scrum Master role

When developers move to a Scrum Master role, they face a completely new set of expectations. Paddy reminds us that reflecting on that change is critical, as well as regularly requesting feedback from the teams we work with.

Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Influence over what went well/not so well

In this segment, we talk about a classic retrospective format: “What went well, not so well”. Paddy adds a twist to that format, by adding a second dimension to each of the categories: “is this item under our control?” This raises some good conversations in the team, and helps teams that may be facing frustration from not being able to resolve some problems.

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About Paddy Corry

Paddy was a developer for many years, after which he started his Scrum Master journey with special interest for coaching and developing the agile mindset.

You can link with Paddy Corry on LinkedIn and connect with Paddy Corry on Twitter.

Sjoerd Nijland: The success mindset for Scrum Masters

We start the success discussion with a poem by Kipling: “If”. We then discuss what is the real motivation Scrum Masters have to look at their success in the role. Sjoerd explains what is critical for him in that role, and the mindset that helps him when working with teams.

Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: The SWOT Canvas

The SWOT canvas is a technique that helps teams reflect on what are the aspects they can build on (strengths), what they need to either avoid or fix (weaknesses), what are the aspects they can take advantage of (opportunities) and finally what are the dark clouds that threaten their ability to execute (threats). In this segment, we also discuss how that same canvas can be used in the context of product, organization, individual or even product increment to help the team reflect and evolve.

About Sjoerd Nijland

Sjoerd is a founder of Serious Scrum, and creator of the Road to Mastery co-creative online training. Previously E-commerce manager at Bugaboo, and then Manager of Operations at Digital Agency Triggerfish.

You can link with Sjoerd Nijland on LinkedIn and connect with Sjoerd Nijland on Twitter.

Oskar Collin: Success as a Scrum Master is defined by the team’s behaviors

As Scrum Masters, having a clear definition of success is critical for us to be able to do our own self-reflection and learn how to improve our impact in the team and the organization we work with. In this episode, we talk about what that looks like, and how most of the success signs for Scrum Masters have to do with behaviors, and actions by the team, and not the Scrum Masters themselves.

Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: The WADE Matrix

Oskar describes the WADE matrix format as a retrospective exercise. How to apply it, the main steps, and why it is a great method to have the team discuss and decide what they can affect. In the end of this segment, Oskar shares a great tip on how to help teams get value out of the Agile retrospective.

About Oskar Collin

Oskar is a former software developer who became a passionate agile coach and Scrum master. He did so mainly because he was better at helping teams working together than building software. He loves experiments and questioning the status quo. He is passionate about helping teams build digital products and deliver value continuously.

You can link with Oskar Collin on LinkedIn and connect with Oskar Collin on Twitter.

Stefania Marinelli: Two success aspects for Scrum Masters to reflect on

Stefania highlights some aspects for the team’s success, from helping teams self-organize to being the trainer, or educator at the company where we work. Related to these aspects, we talk about possible questions to ask ourselves when reflecting on our success in the Scrum Master role.

Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Turn the Table

Turn the table, is the format that Stefania explains in this segment. The focus of that format is on communication and empathy between team members.

In this segment, we also refer to the “Dixit” board game.

About Stefania Marinelli

Stefania is an Agile Manager @Hotels.com (Expedia group) former Scrum Master, former team leader/project manager, former developer. Stefania is fascinated by people dynamics and works every day to create a collaborative and safe environment. NVC practitioner.

You can link with Stefania Marinelli on LinkedIn and connect with Stefania Marinelli on Twitter.

Anubhuti Agarwal: How to facilitate great Agile Retrospective conversations

What distinguishes a successful Scrum Master from a not so successful one? In this segment, we explore the questions that Anu asks as well as the behaviors she evaluates to assess her progress in the Scrum Master role.

Featured Retrospective of the Week: Facilitating product conversations

In this segment, Anu shares her tips on how to select the right format for the retrospective based on what has happened to the team during the Sprint. We talk about why certain formats work better and discuss the core role of the Scrum Master when it comes to facilitating a retrospective: facilitate productive conversations.

About Anubhuti Agarwal

Anu is a software tester turned Scrum master. She worked as Software QA in India for 6 years and then moved to Berlin to complete her Masters in Business Administration. She has been working as a Scrum Master for 3 years in an agency and has learned, first hand, the challenges of working with Agile in an agency.

You can link with Anubhuti Agarwal on LinkedIn.