Welcome to the Scrum.org Community podcast, a podcast from the Home of Scrum. In this podcast we feature Professional Scrum Trainers and other Scrum Practitioners sharing their stories and experiences to help learn from the experience of others.
How do you manage a large portfolio of initiatives while driving real business value?In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West talks with Nabila Sattar Safdar about her experience leading the transition from a project-based to a product-based portfolio. Nabila shares how she reduced a backlog of over 100 projects to 30 strategic initiatives, aligned teams around value streams, and created a culture of learning and continuous improvement.Listeners will hear practical strategies for:Partnering with leadership and steering committees to prioritize initiativesUsing data to inform decisions while balancing learning with deliveryInvesting in team capability and training to close gapsTaking a holistic view of people, technology, and customer outcomesWhether you’re a product leader, Scrum Master, or portfolio manager, this episode offers insights on how to make portfolio management more agile, strategic, and value-focused.
1/8/26 • 37:23
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West sits down with authors Sander Dur and Ryan Brook to explore their new book, The Anatomy of a Product—a practical field guide that uses the human body as a metaphor to demystify modern product management.Dave, Sander, and Ryan dive into why so many organizations still struggle to define and manage products effectively, and how this book helps bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice. They discuss treating products as living systems, the dangers of “marshmallow backlogs,” the need for evidence-driven decisions, and why continuous care and adaptation are essential for healthy products.The authors share insights from working with organizations like Miro, unpack common “product diseases,” and offer actionable guidance for Product Owners, product teams, and leaders seeking clarity in today’s complex environment.Listeners are invited to connect with the authors and join them at their book launch event in Amsterdam on January 13!Key Points Why the Book?Clarifies what a product is and offers a practical guide from definition to retirement.Human Body MetaphorProducts are like living systems—interconnected, adaptive, and influenced by their environment.Theory vs. PracticeHelps teams apply product concepts realistically, beyond Silicon Valley-style theory.Insights from real examplesReal-world examples showing how to balance strategy, business thinking, and everyday product work.Backlog HealthAvoid “marshmallow backlogs” by filtering work through strategic goals and focusing on value.Validation & EvidenceEmphasizes validating ideas early and aligning efforts to outcomes, not just requirements.Product HealthIntroduces “product diseases” and how to diagnose and prevent common issues.Links:Book Launch eventThe Anatomy of a Product
12/11/25 • 30:22
In this Scrum.org Community Podcast episode, Lindsay Velecina from Scrum.org sits down with Robb Pieper and Jason Malmstadt of Responsive Advisors to answer the real, practical questions practitioners have about self-management in Scrum in a live Ask a PST session.Listeners submitted questions like:How do you get management to support self-management?What should you do when a team resists taking ownership?How do you handle a disruptive team member without taking over?What metrics show that self-management actually works?How can junior Scrum Masters enable self-management when they’re not technical?AND MANY MORE!Robb and Jason tackle these questions head-on, sharing stories from the field, strategies for creating healthy team boundaries, and tools to make decision-making transparent — including Delegation Poker, feedback loops, and working agreements. They also discuss how to tie self-management to real business outcomes to gain leadership buy-in.Whether you’re just beginning your Scrum journey or coaching mature teams, this episode gives you actionable guidance and small experiments you can start using today.
12/4/25 • 58:12
In this Scrum.org Community Podcast episode, host Dave West speaks with Nathaniel Davis, CEO of Barrel One Collective, and PST Yuval Yeret about applying Agile principles beyond software — into the heart of business operations.Nathaniel shares his journey from working in a large brewing company to leading Barrel One Collective, a brewing group where he’s working to make Agile the foundation for innovation and entrepreneurialism. Together, they explore how Agile thinking can balance experimentation and consistency, drive outcome-oriented leadership, and shape company culture as a product.Tune in to hear how organizations can expand their definition of “product” — from beverages to behaviors — and how agility helps leaders continuously learn, adapt, and deliver value.
11/20/25 • 41:54
In this episode, Dave West sits down with Darrell Fernandes, executive advisor at Scrum.org to explore the The AI Teammate Framework: A Four-Step Framework for Product Teams, featured in a new whitepaper. They discuss how to treat AI like a true teammate—onboarding it with context, guiding interactions through user stories, and establishing governance to manage performance.Darrell emphasizes the importance of structured AI adoption, comparing it to onboarding human team members, and highlights how a disciplined approach can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and even protect jobs. From writing AI job descriptions to building prompt libraries and governance strategies, this episode offers actionable insights for teams navigating the evolving AI landscape.Listen now to learn how to bring AI onboard as a true teammate.For more, there is a live webcast coming up next week that will also be available as a recording. Learn more. Topics covered:Introduction to the AI Teammate FrameworkWhy a framework?The need for a structured, holistic approach to AI in teamsAI as a Team MemberTreating AI like a teammate rather than a toolThe importance of onboarding and providing contextComparing AI onboarding to human onboardingThe Four Steps of the FrameworkIdentify AI’s Role – defining the problem and writing an AI “job description”Onboard with Context Management – giving AI access to product, customer, and process contextInteract Using User Stories – structuring collaboration through clear, outcome-based interactionsGovernance and Performance Management – ensuring accountability, compliance, and efficiencyChallenges of Working with AIContext management and maintaining prompt librariesBalancing AI experimentation with structureCost, scalability, and efficiency concernsLessons from the Early Days of Cloud ComputingParallels between the AI adoption curve and cloud evolutionThe shift from unregulated enthusiasm to disciplined governanceFuture of AI in Product TeamsThe importance of a disciplined, thoughtful approachHow structured AI collaboration can enhance — not replace — human workActionable Next Steps for TeamsRead the white paperAssess current onboarding and management practicesApply the four-step framework to integrate AI effectively
11/13/25 • 24:15
On this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West welcomes Professional Scrum Trainer Bogdan Onyshchenko to explore the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM). They discuss how APOM offers a holistic, principle-based approach for product organizations—going beyond Scrum to address team motivation, vendor management, strategic decision-making, and more.Bogdan shares insights on the importance of transparency, frequent delivery, and self-organization. The episode also gets into balancing prescriptive advice with flexible principles, understanding the “why” behind agile practices, and using APOM as a practical tool for improving outcomes and value delivery.Listeners will gain practical guidance on applying APOM in their own organizations and learn how this evolving model continues to support teams and leaders in delivering value effectively.Learn more about APOM. Topics covered:Defining the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM)Practical Applications of APOMBalancing Prescriptive and Principle-Based ApproachesThe Importance of Understanding the "Why"Operating Models vs. Frameworks
11/6/25 • 21:35
Building on last week’s episode on AI and Operating Systems in SMBs, Dave West and PST Yuval Yeret dive into the challenges of scaling small and medium-sized businesses.Dave shares lessons from growing an organization from a small team to over 100 people—navigating silos, new stakeholders, and keeping teams outcome-focused. Yuval highlights common scaling pitfalls and explores frameworks like EOS, Scaling Up, and D4X, emphasizing vision, strategic goals, and evidence-based management.Learn how to maintain agility at scale, build cross-functional teams, and create an operating system that drives sustainable growth.Resource - Mastering Organizational Traction Trail Map
10/30/25 • 43:25
AI is forcing organizations to rethink how they operate. In this insightful conversation, Dave West and Yuval Yeret discuss the emerging need for a new organizational “operating system” that integrates AI into strategy, structure, and execution. They highlight the role of product thinking, OKRs, and continuous improvement in turning AI from hype into real business value.
10/23/25 • 47:45
In this special episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West sits down with Ken Schwaber, co-creator of Scrum, to celebrate 30 years since the initial introduction of Scrum at OOPSLA 1995, from which the paper, The Scrum Development Process was based.Ken reflects on the origins of Scrum, the cultural challenges faced during early adoption in large organizations, and the critical importance of transparency, honesty, and teamwork. He shares insights into how Scrum has influenced software development practices such as DevOps and continuous delivery, and offers his perspective on AI as a tool to support—rather than replace—human teams.From early pioneers to the modern evolution of Scrum, Ken shares stories, lessons, and hopes for the future: that Scrum will continue helping people and organizations achieve fulfillment, innovation, and success.Join us for a thoughtful, candid conversation with one of the foundational voices of Agile.
10/19/25 • 29:59
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West is joined by Dr. Alan Brown—professor, executive advisor, and expert in AI and digital technologies—to explore how Agile teams can adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.Dr. Brown discusses the current state of AI adoption across industries and the need for thoughtful integration of AI into knowledge work. From model and prompt engineering to context and governance, he outlines the four key engineering disciplines that Scrum teams must understand. The conversation also highlights five critical pressure points organizations face—complexity, change management, alignment, value delivery, and people—and how Scrum can help teams respond to these challenges.Rather than replacing Agile, Dr. Brown argues, AI augments it—opening up new opportunities for delivering value, improving decision-making, and accelerating learning.Listen now to learn how to harness AI responsibly while staying true to Agile principles.
10/9/25 • 44:58
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West and Dimitrios Dimitrelos, Business Agility Lead, Accenture Greece, PST, explore the powerful role incentives play in Agile transformations and the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM). Dimitris shares a striking story of QA teams inflating bug counts to meet performance metrics, highlighting how poorly designed incentives can undermine collaboration.They discuss strategies for balancing individual and team incentives, the limits of financial motivation, and how organizations can redesign performance management to support true Agile behaviors. Listen to learn practical insights for fostering collaboration, transparency, and sustainable motivation across your teams.Key Takeaways:How misaligned incentives can derail Agile transformationsBalancing individual vs. team incentives for collaborationUnderstanding motivation beyond money using Herzberg’s theoryPractical steps to redesign performance management systems
10/2/25 • 41:34
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Patricia Kong hosts a discussion with Elaine Lin Hering, author of USA Today Best Selling Book "Unlearning Silence," and Ravi Verma, a Professional Scrum Trainer. They examine how workplace culture and cultural norms influence who speaks up and why intentional communication matters.Elaine explains that silence can be strategic or damaging, depending on context, and emphasizes the need for leaders to create environments where all voices are heard. Ravi shares his experiences with reactive versus reflective decision-making and the importance of transparency. They discuss practical strategies for encouraging voice and the significance of designing inclusive meeting practices.Tune in to this inspiring episode that anyone can relate to!Get more insights about Unlearning Silence in this article on the Professional Scrum Unlocked Substack!About Elaine Lin Hering:Elaine Lin Hering a facilitator, writer, and speaker. She works with organizations and individuals to build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. She has worked on six continents and facilitated executive education at Harvard, Dartmouth, Tufts, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. She is the former Advanced Training Director for the Harvard Mediation Program and a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School. She has worked with coal miners at BHP Billiton,micro-finance organizers in East Africa, mental health professionals in China, and senior leadership at the US Department of Commerce. Her clients include American Express, Chevron, Google, Nike, Novartis, PayPal, Pixar, and the Red Cross. She is the author of the USA Today Bestselling book Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully (Penguin, 2024).About Ravi Verma:Ravi Verma is a Public Speaker, Agile Coach, Scrum.org Professional Scrum Trainer, Evidence Based Management Consultant and Blogger with a passion for helping teams recapture the magic of making I.T. As the Founder and Chief Org Whisperer at The Org Whisperers, Ravi blends ideas from the world of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Organizational Development to develop strong teams and inspiring leaders at all levels of an organization. He recently co-founded his second startup - Al Dente, a platform that helps Agile Coach’s and organizations empirically improve business outcomes in tandem with Agile delivery frameworks like Scrum.
9/25/25 • 39:28
In this recorded episode of a live Ask a PST session held on September 16, 2025, PST Ryan Brook answered a wide variety of challenging questions from Agile practitioners! He explores the importance of vision-setting, accountability, and building a strong agile culture. Ryan shares practical strategies for leading distributed teams, breaking down silos, and addressing challenges such as complacency, unplanned work, and knowledge gaps. Drawing on his unique background as a chemistry teacher, he highlights how planning and decision-making skills translate into effective leadership.
9/17/25 • 59:01
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the way Product Owners work—from streamlining daily tasks to shaping strategic decisions. In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Ruud Adriaans, Product Owner and Linus Wiggers, Head of AI from Productowner.nl to explore AI’s growing influence on Product Ownership.They discuss how Product Owners can start small—by identifying time-consuming tasks and experimenting with AI tools—while also taking a bigger-picture view with vision, strategy, and policy. The conversation covers the balance of efficiency and quality, the importance of mastering AI prompting, and the benefits of hands-on experience through hackathons and personal projects.Catch more insights at the upcoming Product Owner Event in Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands on the 2nd of October 2025!
9/11/25 • 39:59
Procurement is often the missing piece in Agile transformations. In this Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Mirko Kleiner, President, Lean Agile Procurement Alliance and Simon Reindl, Professional Scrum Trainer to explore how procurement’s traditional predictive approach can clash with Agile’s iterative nature—and how to fix it. They share how early involvement, transparency, and cross-functional collaboration between procurement, legal, and product teams can unlock greater agility. Learn how to apply Lean Agile Procurement principles, shift toward goal-oriented contracts, and align third-party relationships to deliver better outcomes faster.Watch related webcast
9/4/25 • 46:16
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Magdalena Firlit and Patricia Kong to explore the role of ethics in product management. They discuss why ethical frameworks matter, the impact of transparency and bias, and how ethical decision-making builds trust and resilience.Here is the link to the referenced white paper.
8/21/25 • 34:17
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West is joined by Darrell Fernandes to tackle questions from a recent webinar on the Agile Product Operating Model and incentives. Together, they explore how incentive models can either support or derail agility.They dig into real-world challenges like misaligned rewards, hero culture, and scaling with private equity influence—offering practical guidance on creating transparent, flexible, and outcome-focused incentives.Referenced webinar - APOM: Aligning Incentives with Value
8/7/25 • 44:47
How do you prove your value as a Scrum Master? What steps can you take as Scrum Master to coach your Product Owner? What are some ways to make Scrum Events more engaging? There is a lot to navigate within the Scrum Master Accountability. PST Bart Versteegen recently answered some burning listener questions about the Scrum Master Accountability. Tune in for great insights!
7/30/25 • 61:40
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West sits down with Tyson Bertmaring, Head of Partnership Success and Adrian Veres, Chief Scientific Officer from Dyno Therapeutics, a cutting-edge gene therapy startup. They share how Dyno applies the ideas of the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) to complex scientific research—shifting from traditional structures to empowered, cross-functional teams aligned to clear goals.You will hear how Dyno integrates APOM principles such as product-centric team design, continuous planning, and aligned incentives to drive innovation in a high-stakes environment. The conversation highlights how adopting a product mindset, supported by an enabling organization, creates the conditions for focus, adaptability, and breakthrough scientific results.
7/16/25 • 37:34
Transparency is a core pillar of Scrum—but what happens when the environment punishes openness? In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Professional Scrum Trainer David Spinks joins host Dave West to explore the complexities of transparency in unhealthy organizational cultures. David shares why pushing for full transparency too quickly can backfire, and offers a pragmatic, context-driven approach to building trust and psychological safety over time.Listeners will walk away with strategies for adapting transparency to different environments, balancing openness with privacy, and becoming an effective change agent—especially in teams that aren’t quite ready for radical transparency.This discussion is inspired by a recent blog by David Spinks. Read it here.
7/3/25 • 29:13
In this "Value Delivered" episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West and PST Jay Rahman, Founder of Fractal Systems discuss how agile principles helped a large investment bank turn a struggling multi-million dollar project into a success. By applying Scrum at multiple levels, the organization improved leadership alignment, enhanced collaboration, and reduced risks tremendously—ultimately accelerating delivery and achieving better outcomes. Listen in to discover how Scrum can create transparency, alignment, and value at scale.
6/19/25 • 43:07
In this Ask a PST episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, guest host Lindsay Velecina is joined by Professional Scrum Trainer Dominik Maximini to answer listener questions about forecasting and release planning. Dominik shares practical insights on estimation, using burn-down charts, managing dependencies with joint roadmaps, and aligning with stakeholder expectations. He explains why normalizing velocity across teams can be counterproductive and stresses the importance of a clear Definition of Done when planning releases. Tune in for actionable advice rooted in experience, pragmatism, and common sense.
6/4/25 • 60:10
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West and Brendan Mcsheffrey, Managing Partner at Kendall AI explore the Kendall Framework—a method for training AI using principles from lean, agile, and design thinking. They discuss how clear problem definition and context blocks like roles, capabilities, and processes dramatically improve AI accuracy. Learn how Scrum Teams can get better results from AI and make this powerful technology more accessible to everyone.
5/22/25 • 33:42
In this "Value Delivered" episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West speaks with Andre Bohn of ambarics and Professional Scrum Trainer Alex Hardt about how combining Professional Scrum and Kanban helped ambarics streamline ERP software support. Learn how greater transparency, limiting work in progress, and visualizing work item age enabled the team to better manage unplanned work, reduce escalations, and increase customer satisfaction.
5/15/25 • 28:56
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Patricia Kong talks with Professional Scrum Trainer Joanna Plaskonka about why psychological safety is critical for effective Scrum Teams. Joanna explains how it fuels openness, innovation, and accountability—while its absence leads to poor collaboration, low morale, and missed opportunities. Through real-world examples, she dispels common myths and shares how leaders can foster a culture where teams feel safe to take risks, challenge ideas, and grow. This conversation highlights that psychological safety isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for delivering real value.
5/8/25 • 22:16
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast – Value Delivered Series, host Dave West is joined by Carmit Ophir, Senior Director at StoreDot, and Professional Scrum Trainer Michal Epstein to explore how StoreDot leveraged Professional Scrum to tackle the complex challenges of developing ultra-fast-charging batteries for electric vehicles.Faced with low collaboration and siloed teams of chemists, engineers, and system experts, StoreDot turned to Scrum to foster transparency, cross-functional teamwork, and faster feedback loops. The results? Accelerated innovation, milestones delivered ahead of schedule, and a cultural shift driven by leadership support and a commitment to continuous improvement.Whether you’re navigating R&D in a highly technical space or looking to drive transformation in your organization, this conversation is full of insights and practical advice. Key Takeaways:Why R&D teams can embrace agilityThe importance of leadership support in Scrum adoptionHow a culture of feedback and experimentation accelerates value delivery Tune in to hear how StoreDot is literally charging ahead with Scrum.
5/1/25 • 34:31
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, guest host Lindsay Velecina welcomes Professional Scrum Trainer Simon Reindl to answer listener questions from his recent webinar, “How do the Scrum Accountabilities Work at Scale – Practical Steps for Delivery.”Drawing on years of hands-on experience, Simon breaks down Scaled Scrum and portfolio management, explores how many Scrum Masters you really need, and offers guidance on applying frameworks like Nexus, Scrum at Scale, and even SAFe with intention—not dogma.From structuring teams to improving flow and making value measurable, Simon shares practical insights to help organizations scale Scrum without losing sight of what really matters: delivering value through empowered teams and continuous learning.Key Topics:Scaled Scrum and Portfolio ManagementHow many Scrum Masters? It depends.Value Stream Mapping to uncover flow and bottlenecksUsing metrics that matter (hint: it’s not velocity)The art of being a persistent (and sometimes annoying) Scrum MasterWhether you're scaling up or just getting started, this conversation will help you do it with clarity and purpose.
4/24/25 • 39:36
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, guest host Lindsay Velecina is joined by Professional Scrum Trainer Joanna Plaskonka to answer lingering questions from her recent webinar on psychological safety in Scrum Teams. Joanna shares practical insights on measuring psychological safety using Amy Edmondson’s model, handling micromanagement, and fostering safe environments even in challenging cultures. From using behavioral questions and action learning to creating psychologically safe retrospectives, this episode is packed with actionable ideas for Scrum Masters, leaders, and teams seeking high performance through trust and openness!
4/17/25 • 52:34
How does Toyota apply Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) principles to portfolio management? In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, Dave West and PST Lucas Smith, Director of Agile Program & Services, Toyota Connected, explore how Toyota Connected structures its funding models, defines product life cycles, and manages dependencies in complex product ecosystems. Learn how Toyota Connected balances agility with control, ensuring product teams can innovate while maintaining strategic alignment. Tune in to discover how APOM principles are shaping portfolio agility at scale.
4/10/25 • 42:52
In this episode of the Scrum.org Community Podcast, host Dave West and Yuval Yeret, Professional Scrum Trainer and SAFe Fellow explore how the Agile Product Operating Model (APOM) can enhance the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). They discuss the shift from a rigid "feature factory" approach to a dynamic "lab" environment that fosters experimentation and value discovery. Yuval highlights the need to evolve SAFe to better support product-oriented organizations, highlighting practical steps like the Portfolio Agility Trail Map. Tune in to learn how SAFe and APOM can work together and other considerations.
4/3/25 • 40:45
