One of the biggest balancing acts in Agile portfolio management is keeping business and enabler epics in check. Lean too far in one direction, and you’ll start noticing cracks—whether it’s frustrated stakeholders waiting for customer-facing features or developers struggling under the weight of technical debt that’s been swept under the rug. The challenge lies in striking that sweet spot: a portfolio backlog that delivers value quickly while ensuring the product or system can scale and sustain future work….
Blogs
Why Scrum Teams Should Collaborate with the Product Owner During the Sprint
Some teams treat the Product Owner as if they’re behind a glass wall once the sprint begins—as though the work has been handed over and it’s now up to the Development Team to deliver it exactly as outlined. That approach might seem like it keeps things moving smoothly, but in reality, it cuts the team off from one of its most valuable assets: the person responsible for maximizing the product’s value. Scrum is built on collaboration, not isolation, and the relationship between the Development Team and the Product Owner during the sprint is at the heart of that collaboration….
Measure and Analyze Performance
Measure and Analyze PerformanceThe post will focus on a Step-by-Step Guide for that activity for the Product Owner. It lay out a clear, step-by-step process for initiating the activity, ensuring that readers have a solid starting point and clear direction.
Facilitate Agile Training Sessions
Facilitate Agile Training SessionsThe post will focus a concise checklist summarizing key action points for that activity to reinforce learning and provide a quick reference guide.
Foster a Culture of Experimentation
Foster a Culture of ExperimentationThe post will focus on expert advice, outcomes and Indicators for that activity. Including expert insights, real-world applications & practical advice to guide Product Owners in integrating these activities into their strategies.
Develop a strategic product roadmap
Develop a strategic product roadmapThe post will focus advice for beginners, with targeted advice for newcomers, drawing on the wisdom of experienced product owners.
Sprint Backlog vs. Sprint Goal: Understanding the Balance Between Flexibility and Commitment
In Agile teams, there’s often a bit of confusion—sometimes even tension—when it comes to balancing the Sprint Backlog with the Sprint Goal. It can feel a bit like walking a tightrope. On one side, you have the Sprint Backlog, which is designed to be flexible and responsive as the work unfolds. On the other side is the Sprint Goal, something far more fixed and unchanging, a guiding light for what the team is working to achieve during the sprint. When people don’t understand how these two pieces fit together, you end up seeing teams either dig their heels in too rigidly or unravel completely at the first sign of disruption. …
Integrating Product Management and Lean Portfolio Management in Agile Organizations
In any organization navigating Agile practices, there’s a balancing act that drives both purpose and progress: the relationship between Product Management and Lean Portfolio Management (LPM). While these two roles often appear distinct—one focused on product success and the other on portfolio-wide strategy—they are deeply intertwined, each building on the other to generate real value. But making that collaboration work? That’s where things can get messy, nuanced, and, honestly, a little frustrating at times….
Organize regular stakeholder meetings
Organize regular stakeholder meetingsThe post will focus on Maturity models for that activity. Helping to define what maturity levels exist for the activity, their characteristics, outcomes, and key indicators at each level.
Myth-Busting Scrum: Why the Sprint Backlog Can (and Should) Change During the Sprint
There’s a persistent myth in the Scrum world that holds teams back: the belief that once the Sprint Backlog is set at Sprint Planning, it’s locked down tight. No changes allowed. It’s as if there’s an invisible “do not disturb” sign hanging over it for the next two weeks. But let’s clear something up right away: Scrum is about adaptability, not rigidity. This myth? It stands in direct contradiction to the principles that make Agile work. …