One of the things I stories I have recently started talking about in my Certified ScrumMaster Workhops is about how Scrum really amplifies both the functional and dysfunctional aspects of an organization.
And the story I tell is that of an older movie called, “Spinal Tap.”
Ever hear of it?
If not, it is a “Rock-U-Mentary” about a fake band who gets followed around by a camera crew.
Ask anyone in your office about the “11″ line and have them do it in their best accent (they will know what you are talking about if they have seen the movie).
The main gist of that line is that during an interview, one of the band members asks why their amplifiers have an “11″ on them, instead of just the normal “10.”
Blank stare.
Then…. the band member says, “Because 11 is louder.”
And then the interviewer basically asks, “Why not just make 10 louder?”
Blank stare.
Band member, “Well, because this one’s got an eleven.”
So I may have screwed it up since it has been almost 25+ years since seeing the movie (I think… yikes!).
I have heard it is best watched in some kind of altered state; however, I would not condone or recommend that to anyone reading this article.
So what does an amplifier with an “11″ have to do with Scrum and introducing it into an organization?
Comments here are welcome again, as it seemed to spark some great discussions last week (scroll down to the bottom to see all the comments people have left… wow!) …. (of which I really need to go back and answer if appropriate)!
Here are my questions, but you can answer them (or your own) any way you’d like (It’s almost like being a moderator for the US Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates this year sigh):
1) What are the top five GREAT things that have been amplified in your organization when introducing Scrum?
2) What are the top five INSANE things (read: Dysfunctions) that have been amplified when introducing Scrum?
3) Was Scrum the cause of them?
4) Did Scrum force a change one way or the other?
Let’s see where it leads.
If anything, go watch the movie if you’ve got some time to kill :).
Of course, that is AFTER you respond to the questions via comments back to the site!
Hi.
I am working with a lot of teams and hearing about this problem coming up again.
Kind of like a cough that will not go away (that is for another day).
Ah… Kids back in school. Spreading knowledge.
And.
Lots of other stuff.
Germ mines that bring new germs home to their parents, who have not seen most of the stuff out there in the past.. and so on and so on.
Then.
Those parents go to collocated team rooms.
With people who do not have kids.
Germ-o-phobe-hilarity-ensues.
The original blog entry is located at http://www.implementingscrum.com/2007/01/08/sick-stay-home/.
Read it.
Post it on your team room walls.
Send it home to people on your teams who are still calling in (or ask them to call in and GO home!).
Good luck out there.
- mike vizdos
Hi all,
Happy start of the new week!
Scott Ambler and I have put together a survey that will collect some additional data that he will present at the Agile 2008 conference next month. Please take the survey and pass it on to any local lists or contacts you have.
The cool thing about the outcome of this — and other data we collect — is that it is shared for all to use and analyze as you want.
Here is more info:
====
We have put together a survey exploring the adoption rate of various Agile
practices and of the 12 agile principles. The survey is posted at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=4FN_2bty_2bYE0Mhb7yQPZKWtg_3d_3d
and will take 5 minutes to complete.
It will run until August 2 2008.
As with other surveys the results will be posted online at
www.ambysoft.com/surveys/. We’re taking an open approach to this survey in that the source data, with the exception of identifying information to protect people’s privacy, will be posted online. We’re sharing the data with the community so that everyone may analyze it for their own purposes — you won’t have to rely on us to analyze it for you. We’ll also post the original questions as they were asked as well as a slide deck summarizing our analysis. All of these assets can be used free of charge. Scott will also be sharing the results at the forthcoming Agile 2008 conference, www.agile2008.org, here in his home town of Toronto the first week of August.
We’re not going to bribe you with promises to win a book or a gift certificate. Instead, we’re asking you to give back to the community by spending a few minutes to share your agile experiences with the IT community. The results of this survey will be a shared asset that we can all take advantage of.
Thank you very much for your attention, and we sincerely hope that you will choose to take a few minutes of your valuable time to fill out this survey. Our apologies if you have received several copies of this email.
- Scott Ambler and Mike Vizdos
Hi.
[This is a message from the heart / full transparency "on" / and not specific to Scrum --- more of the "State of the Site at www.implementingscrum.com and, "Where do we take it in the future...."]
Last week I asked a specific question that I have received a ton of feedback as of today (thank you to everyone who responded).
For people who have been regular readers of this blog for a while, I hope you can tell that I am constantly “creating” this site using feedback from you — inspecting and adapting — eating my own dog food as it were. For new readers, please expect this trend to continue.
If you have not noticed… I have removed all google advertising from the site; per feedback from you I thought this would be best (even though it was a car payment [plus] a month in revenue!).
And, the site as it stands today (and in the future) the blog entries and comics will continue to be “free” (just your time, which I appreciate) in the future.
Please continue to tell your friends and teams around the universe about this site (thank you). If you have not done so already, now is a great time (smile).
As you may not realize, I own a company (Vizdos Enterprises, LLC) and work around the world helping clients Implement Scrum at all levels in hundreds — at this point probably over a thousand — of locations.
I am also a Certified Scrum Trainer (one of less than 50 in this great Universe) and spend a lot of time on the road doing the CSM Workshops (although it is not my main revenue stream).
I will be in more than 30 cities in the USA between now and the end of the year.
And I have some plans to head overseas too.
Lots of travel. And that is what is just currently booked.
I need to update both the Scrum Alliance site with these new dates, along with my public google calendar.
Be sure if you are in the USA I should be arriving to a city near you!
I DO have a family and one of my personal goals is to start to cut back on travel again.
My five and eight year old boys are growing up. And… for anyone who travels extensively… you know how this works. If you are interested in doing what I do, we can talk about the pros and cons anytime!
This is where I need you (sorry for the long intro… but this is like having a one way conversation!).
The results of the “voting” for more blog entries were positive. Both as they stand today and in more video/audio formats.
And, starting next week you will start to see different flavors of them being produced more often (maybe more than Dominc (my oldest son) and I doing youtube videos.
There will be other avenues and distribution channels over time.
Again… inspect and adapt.
The comic strips and blog entires about those comic strips will continue to be free.
This next part is not a sales pitch — it is to gain serious interest (although you may consider it a pitch).
I am starting a “Premium Content” area of the site.
Ah.
That means dinero/cash/euros/whatever out of your pocket (or your company or organization).
I am looking for a limited number of people who would be interested in becoming “Charter Members” of the Premium Content area of implementingscrum.com.
I will request each of the limited Charter Members pay a fee, and, in return this fee will continue to remain the same forever for you (if the price goes up, you will pay the same subscription amount as long as you are a member).
I am looking for an initial three month commitment from you (and me) to actually “test” some new features as they are developed.
So, in addition to becoming “Charter Members” you will help guide the content and delivery mechanisms for the future subscribers of the site — both “free” and “Premium”.
Are you interested in doing something like this with me?
The journey will be fun.
And — as a Charter Member — you will have a safe place as part of a new community to help yourself — and others — learn even more about Scrum and other Agile Practices.
I only want serious people who have a positive attitude and a true spirit of adventure.
Is that you?
If so, please let me know.
Who knows?
Heck, when I started this site I could not believe the impact that one person (actually two — Tony (the artist) and I) could have on an industry.
Change happens one person at a time.
And good Karma is always a good thing to possess, even if only for a millisecond of time in your life.
If you are interested, stop by www.implementingscrum.com/premium for a bit more information and sign-up to become a Charter Member for the Premium Content.
Risk free.
This is an incredibly limited opportunity and I will cut it off on or before June 30, 2008 for new Charter Members (if there is too great of a response, a waiting list will begin).
Part of this limitation is to take it in small steps and inspect and adapt along the way.
Thank you for reading all of this.
If you are not ready to sign-up as a Charter Member today, please pass this information on to others who may be interested.
I do sincerely appreciate it.
- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com
PS: And remember… If you or your friends [or enemies] have not signed up for FREE updates to this blog, please Subscribe to Implementing Scrum via Email!
Hi.
[This is a message from the heart / full transparency "on" / and not specific to Scrum --- more of the "State of the Site at www.implementingscrum.com and, "Where do we take it in the future...."]
Last week I asked a specific question that I have received a ton of feedback as of today (thank you to everyone who responded).
For people who have been regular readers of this blog for a while, I hope you can tell that I am constantly “creating” this site using feedback from you — inspecting and adapting — eating my own dog food as it were. For new readers, please expect this trend to continue.
If you have not noticed… I have removed all google advertising from the site; per feedback from you I thought this would be best (even though it was a car payment [plus] a month in revenue!).
And, the site as it stands today (and in the future) the blog entries and comics will continue to be “free” (just your time, which I appreciate) in the future.
Please continue to tell your friends and teams around the universe about this site (thank you). If you have not done so already, now is a great time (smile).
As you may not realize, I own a company (Vizdos Enterprises, LLC) and work around the world helping clients Implement Scrum at all levels in hundreds — at this point probably over a thousand — of locations.
I am also a Certified Scrum Trainer (one of less than 50 in this great Universe) and spend a lot of time on the road doing the CSM Workshops (although it is not my main revenue stream).
I will be in more than 30 cities in the USA between now and the end of the year.
And I have some plans to head overseas too.
Lots of travel. And that is what is just currently booked.
I need to update both the Scrum Alliance site with these new dates, along with my public google calendar.
Be sure if you are in the USA I should be arriving to a city near you!
I DO have a family and one of my personal goals is to start to cut back on travel again.
My five and eight year old boys are growing up. And… for anyone who travels extensively… you know how this works. If you are interested in doing what I do, we can talk about the pros and cons anytime!
This is where I need you (sorry for the long intro… but this is like having a one way conversation!).
The results of the “voting” for more blog entries were positive. Both as they stand today and in more video/audio formats.
And, starting next week you will start to see different flavors of them being produced more often (maybe more than Dominc (my oldest son) and I doing youtube videos.
There will be other avenues and distribution channels over time.
Again… inspect and adapt.
The comic strips and blog entires about those comic strips will continue to be free.
This next part is not a sales pitch — it is to gain serious interest (although you may consider it a pitch).
I am starting a “Premium Content” area of the site.
Ah.
That means dinero/cash/euros/whatever out of your pocket (or your company or organization).
I am looking for a limited number of people who would be interested in becoming “Charter Members” of the Premium Content area of implementingscrum.com.
I will request each of the limited Charter Members pay a fee, and, in return this fee will continue to remain the same forever for you (if the price goes up, you will pay the same subscription amount as long as you are a member).
I am looking for an initial three month commitment from you (and me) to actually “test” some new features as they are developed.
So, in addition to becoming “Charter Members” you will help guide the content and delivery mechanisms for the future subscribers of the site — both “free” and “Premium”.
Are you interested in doing something like this with me?
The journey will be fun.
And — as a Charter Member — you will have a safe place as part of a new community to help yourself — and others — learn even more about Scrum and other Agile Practices.
I only want serious people who have a positive attitude and a true spirit of adventure.
Is that you?
If so, please let me know.
Who knows?
Heck, when I started this site I could not believe the impact that one person (actually two — Tony (the artist) and I) could have on an industry.
Change happens one person at a time.
And good Karma is always a good thing to possess, even if only for a millisecond of time in your life.
If you are interested, stop by www.implementingscrum.com/premium for a bit more information and sign-up to become a Charter Member for the Premium Content.
Risk free.
This is an incredibly limited opportunity and I will cut it off on or before June 30, 2008 for new Charter Members (if there is too great of a response, a waiting list will begin).
Part of this limitation is to take it in small steps and inspect and adapt along the way.
Thank you for reading all of this.
If you are not ready to sign-up as a Charter Member today, please pass this information on to others who may be interested.
I do sincerely appreciate it.
- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com
PS: And remember… If you or your friends [or enemies] have not signed up for FREE updates to this blog, please Subscribe to Implementing Scrum via Email!
Welcome back to yet another week at www.implementingscrum.com.
Thanks as usual for coming back this week and helping me spread the word about this site.
If you have some time today, please tell three or four of your friends about it, and let’s see if even more people can have fun with us.
Ask them to subscribe. Please. There are opportunities all over the site (please let me know if it is confusing in any way!). In fact, you can forward them this note and have them Subscribe to Implementing Scrum via Email!
Now… about “Fun.”
Yeah, I know, I know… we do serious work in the real world Mike….
I know.
I live it, as I hope you can tell.
So last week I wrote a few segments about Fantasy Island, and I really loved that comic strip.
One of the things listed was, “You may be on Fantasy Island” if you play Planning Poker without your Product Owner.
For a quick overview on an introduction to Planning Poker, please see this posting.
And come back! I am not going anywhere.
You back?
See. I told you I’d still be here. I am persistent that way (get it geeks of the world?!?! HA??? Ug… nevermind lol).
OK.
Ug.
WARNING: IF you have a very sensitive sense of humor (or none at all)… PLEASE STOP READING THIS POSTING.
My title tonight varied from, “How Planning Poker is like Unprotected Sex” to the one you see you actually displayed.
Guess it is at least a little more politically correct.
SO.
Um.
How can Planning Poker look like a one night stand?
Let me see if that can be answered sufficiently….
1) When you leave a Product Owner out of the process, you are at risk of waking up the next morning wanting to gnaw your left arm off. Clear?
OK.
Next one.
2) A Product Backlog does not have to be something that the Scrum Gods (aka Mr. Schwaber or others) think is perfect. Here is a fair question for you…. “Does it meet the needs of your customer?” If yes, all is good. If no, hire me (smile). Um. Dunno what that has to do with a one night stand (sorry).
3) Scrum Planning Poker without a Product Owner lands you in Fantasy Island. And. You cannot get off. Much like drinking and partying which can lead to the one night stand. You know, cannot get off the Island. And… never get to “Done.”
4) You cannot do any type of real release planning. Just like a one night stand, you may wind up with something you will have to live with for the rest of your life in about 10 months with not a clue it was coming (see my “Making Babies” post). Well, you saw it building and growing, but you have no idea what you are in for.
5) Hmmm…. I think the number one reason was the best (lol). Let me think. Oh…. this thing called “Group Think” may take place where everyone makes ASSumptions about the other. Can lead to going back to #1 in this list (smile).
6) Having a Product Owner there is like wearing a…. hmmm… do I dare say it? Nope. Use your imagination if you can. And. If it is missing it may feel fine but your team can wind up catching something that is hard to get rid of - or even cause your team to die.
7) And I guess my final word of advice… If you find yourself out during that “last call” and someone has that “five beer” look… GO HOME ALONE. This can be paralleled to playing Planning Poker without a Product Owner. If the Product Owner is not there… CANCEL THE MEETING.
Wow.
Was that the most inuendo-filled-posting I have ever posted? I think the most inuendo-filled-COMIC-STRIP was the one on CSM Training. Strange how that is the most downloaded comic strip on the site (smile).
Hehe… It was a little fun.
Now… back to the work thing.
And remember your PRODUCT OWNER!
If you or your friends [or enemies] have not signed up for FREE updates to this blog, please Subscribe to Implementing Scrum via Email!
Gotta run! Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.
You can also enter The Scrum Community to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!
June 3, 2008
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