Well, the pressure is on. With four major publishing houses on my BEhind about writing a book for them, I have got a few dozen ideas on format and content running around my head.

I do not want to publish just another Scrum book (zzzzzz).

Something useful.

That’s where you can come in. I hope.

Please provide comments or feedback here or send me an email.

It’s coming out of me.

Soon.

Format is TBD.

Gotta be easier to do than my first book (smile).

I am listening.

This one is for you, dear reader….

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

Interested in becoming a Certified Scrum Master?
Come to my next workshop!

A cartoon finally! Yeah! Again!

OK, so this one is really a translation for the one I did about Social Networking, something that has been shown to have incredible benefits to Agile Scrum Teams.

Here is the English version for your viewing and reading pleasure.

So what does Me asking You if you’d like to go to bed with me have anything to do with Scrum?

Hmm.

This may require some creative answers.

Or maybe just one.

Honestly I love the French accents and the French [create?!?] some of the worlds best looking women with the best accents (did I say that already) in the world.

That, and besides saying “yes” in French, that is the only phrase I know (back from a hit song in the 1970’s).

So, I want to personally take a moment to thank the French for French Fries (OK… I know… invented and have the best in Belgium) and French Nails and a certain kind of kissing. All goodness.

And.

For someone (Matthieu de Vivie) taking the time to actually put up a translation of what was thought to be a good English version of the cartoon!

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 Forum to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!

Hey.

I’ll be in Boise next week for a public class (July 8-9, 2008). As usual, I can offer a discount to any readers here — to see the dates and register check out www.michaelvizdos.com/enroll.

And.

As usual, I will also offer up time to hang out if someone wants to meet “off hours” to discuss Scrum, the Universe, or anything even if you cannot attend the class/workshop.

I’d also be open to recording some videos or other conversations. Or not.

Never been up there before… should be fun!

Let me know. Or let your friends know. No enemies please.

Thanks.

- mike vizdos

And welcome to a new week at www.implementingscrum.com; albeit to most Americans living in the USA it will be a short week here (July 4th is still July 4th everywhere else in the world!).

I need to do some quick research on the French connection since I got some comic strips translated recently where we can make some timely postings (smile). If not, maybe I’ll just make up some history.

That’ll be fun, since we all know whatever we read on the Internet MUST be true, RIGHT?

As most readers of my blog know, I spend a LOT of time on the road (planes, trains, and automobiles).

Right now I am scheduled for almost 20 more public appearances before the end of the year — not including the private clients I am working with (the majority of my work BTW) around the world.

While on a short [very bumpy] coast-to-coast flight today, a realization hit me.

Almost like, “Duh Mike.”

For me, sometimes things like this take time to fully understand.

It was there all the time for me to see. I have been living it without realizing this.

Much like this Scrum stuff we do or are thinking about doing.

On the plane today (and most other flights around the world) I usually spend some very focused time replying to emails that come in every day. And… as people who write me understand… if you send me an email eventually you will get a reply.

I am working on getting better with managing this inflow, so please do not stop.

Most of the replies I create let people know we can use the ‘time change’ to where ever I am in the world to our advantage when I am not home. Does this make sense?

So why is this so different than when I am really just, “Working from home in Richmond, VA?”

So what was the “Realization?”

I BUY time for myself every time I travel.

Think of it this way…

Today is a 27 hour day for me. I gained 3 hours by “going back in time.”

Wow.

Wait.

I know I did not REALLY do that.

But.

Got me thinking.

No matter where we are in the world, most of us thinks the rest of the world is on our time and schedules on a “regular” daily basis. Waking up, eating breakfast, doing the stuff we all do daily, eating dinner, and then going to sleep.”

The job (can we call it that?!) I have allows me to look at it from a MUCH different point of view.

And this is cool.

And has had a serious impact on how I have worked in the past.

Now that I have come to this realization, maybe in fact I will make some serious changes regarding “time” in the future.

Does this make any sense to you, dear reader?

It has had a tremendous impact on my psyche — today — as in WOW.

If there is no impact on you from this insight… keep your head to the grindstone and do what you do. Keep at it. That’s basically what almost everyone else in the world will do anyway.

Otherwise, let’s truly think how this little change on how we look at life and using time can truly change our world.

The world.

Wow.

Truly.

One person at a time.

For me, I will take that accountability and that very uncomfortable first step.

It’s something I work with teams to challenge them to do all the time — have uncomfortable conversations.

Now… It’s time to live that and take it up in my life a notch.

Does this make any sense?

I think, as usual, actions will speak louder than words.

Wanna join me?

I am starting today.

Inspect and Adapt.

Let’s see where it leads.

I am thinking some incredible things will come out of this.

Peace Out.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

And welcome to the end of the week at www.implementingscrum.com.

I spent the day in Washington, DC today meeting with a client I worked for over a year ago. Since we last met, the staff has seen an almost complete turnover and it sounds like I may need to pop in for some inspection and adaption — and have a lot of fun with this team along the way.

Also wanted to let you know of a New YouTube Video I put up tonight. It is really a test file and I’d love your feedback.

It is a gentleman talking about his experiences in one of my recent Certified Scrum Master Classes (it is under five minutes and chock full of fun!).

I guess you could call it a video testimonial.

There is a lot of background noise but for the little Flip Mino on a tripod, it seemed to work really well.

I am sure it will get better over time as we all learn this together!

If YOU are interested in recording either a call or video with me, please contact me and we’ll see what we can do to make it happen.

Peace Out.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

And welcome to a new week at www.implementingscrum.com.

I am going to be up in Washington DC this Thursday (June 26, 2008) for a few client meetings and may have some time to meet face-to-face if anyone is interested. I will be bringing my 6.5 questions and small video camera… so if you feel like joining in the fun let me know! I have a few of them already in the queue to be posted. Let’s get ready to rummmmmmmmm…. I mean learn!

Peace Out.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

I hope things are going well with you today.

Thanks so much for the input from the blog entry yesterday.

So what does David Letterman and Tony Clark (our artist for the cartoons here at www.implementingscrum.com have in common?

Letterman takes a hiatus once in a while.

And.

At this week Tony is on hiatus too.

Maybe it is not the same timing as Mr. Letterman; however, same concept.

Except that Tony is probably working hard on his business.

So what does this have to do with Scrum?

Part of it is to remind you about full transparency.

And this transparency thing can be hard in your organization.

Take a look at an “old” cartoon about transparency and read the blog entry at www.implementingscrum.com/blog/2006/10/16/transparency-and-jessica-alba-a-scrum-connection/ and learn more about who Tony really digs (not me… well… OK… I dig Ms. Alba too (smile)).

No matter if your organization is two people (like our huge shop here at implementingscrum.com!) or 5000 people, with Scrum you need to turn on full transparency before you can see the full true value of Scrum.

Is what you are doing “good enough” today?

Think about it.

Really?

What happens if you turn “up” the transparency factor?

Today.

Try it?

Just like this little blog of mine… I want to make sure as we continue this journey learning about Scrum you know that the comic strips will continue soon.

Don’t worry… I’ve actually got some “inventory” in stock with translations that I should debut.

Maybe some of those will take center stage the rest of the week.

I guess we’ll all see tomorrow.

Until then….

Peace out.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

And welcome to a new week at www.implementingscrum.com.

I am going to be on the West Coast of the USA this week (wheels up in about 22 minutes) and will be teaching a public CSM course in Irvine; then I am heading down south to San Diego for a private consulting engagement on Thursday and Friday, and home on Saturday morning from a red-eye.

Wahoo. The “glamourous” life of a consultant (smile).

So I’d like to ask you a question….

If you could ask 6.5 questions to any person practicing Scrum in the “real world” (whatever the heck that is!), what would they be?

I have some ideas, but figured I’d ask YOU what you want to know.

I’ll reveal the plan tomorrow of how I will be asking them — but rest assured like the comic strips, we will have a lot of fun with these segments and hopefully this will help all of us learn even more about Scrum in the Real World and how people are implementing it in practice.

Peace Out.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

Need to explain the title first (smile).

I grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, and for those of you who know the area will concede that a LOT of very very old ancient people live there; the same holds through for Tampa.

During the winter, these people are called “SnowBirds”; during the rest of the year they just smell up their houses with old grandma and grandpa smells.

You all know what I am talking about (smile… really!).

Aneeehow… I had a GREAT Thursday and Friday CSM Workshop in Tampa this week. It was made up of a huge variance of expertise and skills of people implementing Scrum.

And.

It seemed like all people really were there because they wanted to be there. This helps immensely.

Now, normally my “sweet spot” for a class (based on experience around the world) is 16 people, with my max today being 26 at the most. Good guideline, and we exceeded it a bit. The largest class I was on my own for was almost 40 people in a foreign land. Oh joyous rapture was that for all (smile).

Last night (Thursday) i met up with a few people who are trying to get a local Agile / Scrum group kicked off the ground in Tampa. If you need more information about this — please contact me and I will make the connections for you.

A huge shout-out to Maureen for setting it up. THANK YOU!

The comments today were pretty typical (some people felt rushed, some people felt overwhelmed, some people absolutely loved it, etc.). The bottom line I can say is that each person in the workshop walked out knowing more about Scrum than they did just 48 hours earlier.

How they now go out and implement this in their organizations is up to them.

And as a Certified Scrum Trainer, I am OK with that. I know my job is done for now, until they continue the journey and as for more help in the future (or I ask them for help in the future).

Got some great ideas for comic strips and more blog write-ups too.

One final note: I am now charging up my latest toy Productivity Enhancer and will be planning on debuting it out in California next week. If all goes well, readers of the blog should have some new media to look over.

Have fun.

Let’s try.

And keep learning!

Peace Out.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

p.p.s. –> Meet me in Irvine next week!

Well, I landed this evening to my home State of Florida — still a five hour drive across the state to get to where I grew up, so that will not happen this trip.

But.

Tonight I was lucky enough to meet my ex-next-door-neighbor (his name is Ed) from when we were kids. The guy is like a brother to me. And last month, I was able to re-connect with another great childhood friend when I was in Michigan.

So anyway, tonight Ed and his awesome wife (a EE) met me for dinner a little way up north of Tampa. It was great.

And on the way back to the hotel, I was reminded of the great Florida “Heat Lightening” at night (like there is any other kind)?

And.

Now I am sitting on my deck at the hotel looking over Tampa Bay and thinking things here do not suck.

Hot yes.

Lots of lightening, yes.

But definitely not sucking.

I am excited that tomorrow I will be working with a rather large CSM class, and hope that all attendees learn as much as I do about Scrum while I am teaching it.

Huh?

Does this mean I do not know what Scrum is about?

No.

It DOES mean I learn from every class I teach. Be it seven or seventy people.

Each one is different.

Like the teams you work on.

Hmmm.

Nice how it all pulls together tonight.

I’ll have more tomorrow.

For those of you in the USA, I’ll give you my sneak-peak at the 30+ cities I will be in for the rest of this year.

One of the things I love doing is meeting up with either University or local Agile Groups. So if you see any city near you on the list, let me know if you’d like to coordinate something with me.

That list will come out tomorrow as a preview to you.

For tonight, I think I will continue watching the lightening show.

Peace Out.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

p.p.s. –> Meet me in Irvine next week!

[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!

Dunno what else to say the describes the title of this blog entry any better.

Tomorrow.

Stay with me.

Please.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

Although the Tampa CSM class has been sold out this coming week, if you are interested in meeting us for beer Thursday evening I’ll post the location as an update later this week.

Looking forward to an awesome class down there this week.

My next public CSM class is in Irvine, California on June 17-18. Details can be found at www.michaelvizdos.com/enroll.

Thank you!

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

p.s. 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!

Quick question for all my regular subscribers…

Would you be interested in an “online” video or audio chat session about Scrum on some type of regular schedule?

We could do it many ways… Predetermined topics, random thoughts, maybe even on topic about the cartoon of the week (or some in the past)…. whatever….

Before I spend any time researching it more, I’d love to hear if this is of interest from YOU first (smile).

Let me know. Please!

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!

Thank you.

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

Interested in becoming a Certified Scrum Master?
Come to my next workshop!

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!

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OK.

So what was I talking about a few nights ago with the cartoon posting above?

It really truly is not politically correct.

In no sense of any being.

But.

It is HIlarious to me.

Because it can help me make a point.

Actually tonight, eight points.

Eight Points.

Just for you.

How is that for a Thursday night or Friday morning?

Hmm.

Think about it this way.

You are arriving on “Fantasy Island” if you think…

1) You can stock the Product Backlog without a Product Owner present during Planning Poker

2) The definition of “Done” is not important to anyone

3) BurnDown Charts are useless, actually more useless of tracking tasks

4) The CSM Workshop is a waste of your time

5) You can pronounce the last name for

Ricardo

(c’mon Fantasy Island Buffs (or OK… is there even a “buff” reading this?))

6) Documentation is not needed on any agile projects

7) Scrum is a Silver Bullet

8) You can get a date with the “Hot” ScrumMaster replacement (smile) or Jessica Alba or with some hot babe with her Bottom Up.

9) This cartoon is about SCUBA Diving [strangely enough this is one of the most downloaded cartoon on this site)

…. OK.

Enough for now.

Man.

I can go on for a while.

But I think you get the picture.

What have I missed?

Now….

Do you see where you can spend a lot of time on Fantasy Island?

Do you want to leave it?

Really?

Why?

Gotta run… Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.

You can also enter The Forum to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!

Interested in becoming a Certified Scrum Master?
Come to my next workshop!

OK.

This week may be the week that actually dates people reading this blog.

Tattoo. Not Toto.

Scary.

But true.

Admittedly I have had grey hair for a while (that is one of the reasons I keep it short short lol) and I know I am one of those people “in between” on the high and low-age readership of this group. Next year will be 20 years in the industry for me, so I do have some real life experience. And for you, a lot of this life is lived working with clients on Scrum Projects around the world.

And.

This may be one of my favorite cartoons Tony has done to date. This has been one that has been brewing and talked about for over a year with clients and class participants.

And as usual, Tony nailed it (got it right for the non-Americans — this is a good thing (smile)).

Maybe for tonight I just leave you with the cartoon.

An give you a little more about it as the week progresses.

I am on the road.

And wow do I have some ideas and opinions on this one.

See where this one cartoon strip can lead you?

First… see if you get the context of it!

Here is the cheater link if you have no clue (and THAT is OK!).

Please read part two here

Gotta run… Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.

You can also enter The Forum to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!

More information on www.michaelvizdos.com.

Thank you!

- mike
www.implementingscrum.com

Interested in becoming a Certified Scrum Master?
Come to my next workshop!

I am a bit worried about some of the things I am seeing out there.

Um.

The night before a Sprint Review meeting, I am seeing people stay late.

Uh.

Really late.

Like into the morning before the Sprint Review meeting.

Sometimes, it is minutes before.

Ug.

Oh no.

What does this remind you of?

What is wrong with that picture?

And what is right with the picture above?

Seriously folks.

Don’t kill Scrum this way.

Just go back to whatever you used to call it.

Really.

Or.

Look at what you are really doing.

Remember the objective of Scrum?

Working Software.

On one machine.

Real working software.

Not vaporware or conference-ware or some scripted bla bla bla.

Please.

Gotta run… Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.

You can also enter The Forum to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!

Just wanted to let you know I will be in Boston teaching a CSM Class next week in Boston. If you are interested, please contact me offline! I may also be available for a pub run on Wednesday evening too (smile).

Thank you.

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

Interested in becoming a Certified Scrum Master?
Come to my next workshop!

Wow. I saw something at a client site a few weeks ago that inspired the cartoon for this week.

This is real life.

As it is every week and every posting with me.

And.

Unexpected to say the least.

I’ll let you in on the actual pictures of the inspiration tomorrow… but for now let’s continue with the point for this week.

Sometimes it feels like you are working on the same thing day after day.

At least sometimes it feels that way to me. Maybe it is just me (smile).

Kinda like a treadmill. This is something that you walk on forever and actually get nowhere.

Are you there in your [work] life?

What about your Team?

And your Organization?

What can help you get out of this — or “off the treadmill?”

Umm.

I could sugar coat it with a bunch of inspirational bla bla, and sometimes I do that.

Tonight… zero sugar coating. It is not going to happen, as sometimes you need to hear this and actually take a hard knock of reality (like sometimes people on the team need to be “voted” off the island!).

Here goes.

The only way off the treadmill is for you to make a change.

Take responsibility.

Be accountable.

To who?

You.

The rest of the Team and Organization will follow.

Or will they?

Does it really matter to you?

Worry about you first.

Really.

The rest will follow.

Or not.

Gotta run… Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.

You can also enter The Forum to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!

Well I have done quite a bit of traveling around this great planet of ours, and a lot of time spent in the clouds (thinking of course while I fly to destinations afar).

So, tomorrow you are going to see something that I did not think I’d ever see.

We’ll start with the cartoon and try to turn a story around it related to Scrum — something you all know I am good at doing.

And the next night I will send you the inspiration for the cartoon this week.

Wow.

Inspirational?

I hope so LOL.

Thank you,

- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com

Interested in becoming a Certified Scrum Master?
Come to my next workshop!

I sincerely apologize for the lack of a new posting last week. Sometimes even I need to remind myself that I am human.

And.

The cartoon for this week really says it all.

Keep IT Simple Stupid.

In the past, I have seen the “KISS” stuff look like: “Keep it simple stupid” or “Keep it super simple” or many other variations.

Note the capitalization of “IT”?

That’s where you and I come in a lot of the times.

So.

Really.

Keep IT Simple Stupid.

I am not calling you stupid. If anything, this is a great reminder for “me” to not get stupid.

A few weeks ago I was with a client (actually doing the work thing, which I doooo actually “do”!) and they have been spending a lot of time planning for their agile rollout.

What is a lot of time?

This will vary.

Let’s just say it looked very much like a waterfall process — nothing near agile.

And I had to tell them this.

Will “they” listen?

Who knows.

But.

It was a great reminder to me that taking months and months planning for an agile rollout of more than ten teams at one time is not a good idea for people starting agile stuff.

What is my recommendation?

Get ready for “Captain Obvious.”

Start with one project.

Today.

Now.

And stop the planning game.

Really.

Get good at what you do.

And the only way to do this is to get started.

One project at a time.

Don’t worry about the enterprise rollout today when you have not started even one project.

Scary thought?

Yes.

Reality?

It does work.

Worry about the “enterprise” stuff later.

Start producing working software.

Today.

Think about it and challenge the way you currently do things today.

Results will vary, but all will surprise you.

Gotta run… Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.

You can also enter The Forum to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!

I have a few seats open for a CSM Workshop in New Mexico this week. See www.michaelvizdos.com for more info.

I’ll finish blogging about what I started last week tomorrow.

I promise.

Thanks for hanging with me.

- mike vizdos

I am overwhelmed right now.

So I am going to admit I am human (smile) and will post a new cartoon next week.

The good news is I have had a GREAT week working with teams and learning tons.

About a lot of things.

My apologies.

- mike vizdos