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The Agile Truth

The Agile Truth

By IBM iX DACH

Welcome to The Agile Truth: a podcast by IBM iX! This is your weekly 5-minute chunk of honest agile experiences made by our digital experts at IBM iX. Every episode of our podcast deals with a different agile topic, but the mission stays the same: To provide you with the most valuable insights for your work as an agilist.
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Currently playing episode

S01 E06: How the whole team can contribute to a high quality project

The Agile TruthJul 30, 2021

00:00
06:23
S03 E10: Scaling client programme

S03 E10: Scaling client programme

Imagine working with a client who trusts you so deeply that they ask you to go one step further. Not just delivering solutions, but to help them evolve their working culture. Going from a project-driven to a product-driven company in a SAFe set-up comes with myriad challenges. How does that work in practice? Which pitfalls can you expect along the way? Frank Dohmen and Laura Müller share insights from their journey.

Oct 05, 202310:24
S03 E09: Hiring with Bootcamp

S03 E09: Hiring with Bootcamp

Extraordinary situations call for extraordinary solutions! Occasionally, there can be a mismatch between available job positions and the applications received. At times, the hiring process may not yield efficient results. Recognizing this challenge, our Croatian team devised a novel hiring approach: the Frontend Bootcamp. Discover more about this innovative concept and the remarkable successes it has achieved.

Sep 26, 202305:60
S03 E08: Transitioning from Scrum Master to Release Manager

S03 E08: Transitioning from Scrum Master to Release Manager

Transitioning from Scrum Master to Release Manager: A proper release management ensures smoothly processes and prevents monetary losses due to delays. Discover the significance of the role and its specific responsibilities as our colleague Daria Rüscher makes a spontaneous shift in a large-scale project. Join us for more insights!

Sep 20, 202307:05
S03 E07: Switch to Kanban

S03 E07: Switch to Kanban

Navigating the transition between two popular agile models, our colleague Ana Bučar shares the story of switching from Sprint to Kanban on an active project. Through personal experiences and challenges, they break down the pros and cons of both methodologies. In this episode, get an insider's view on the actual differences, potential pitfalls, and surprising benefits that emerged during this shift. Tune in and explore the depth of agile approaches in real-world scenarios!

Sep 13, 202307:58
S03 E06: What‘s an Engagement Lead?

S03 E06: What‘s an Engagement Lead?

What‘s an Engagement Lead? First of all it‘s a role within our IBM iX agency setting but what are the responsibilities? You can call it the right hand of the client manager. Learn more about the benefits and why every agency should implement this role!

Sep 05, 202309:21
S03 E05: Deep understanding of users

S03 E05: Deep understanding of users

You are not your users. This should never be forgotten in project work. Clients frequently come up with ideas without properly considering the needs and desires of their users. This can stem from the fear of losing control or disappointing stakeholders, as not all wishes can be accommodated. Martin Schissler enlightens us on how he successfully conveyed the significance of user research to his client and effectively addressed his concerns, proving that their fears were unwarranted.

Aug 30, 202308:45
S03 E04: Catastrophe and Trust

S03 E04: Catastrophe and Trust

A worst case scenario: You receive a client call that the project source code was exposed on GitHub. Matthias experienced exactly that. Has a customer relationship been completely destroyed due to the malicious intent of an employee? Interestingly, things went complete different. Matthias elaborates on how he managed to rectify the situation, rebuild trust with the clients, and explores the circumstances that led to this unexpected turn of events.

Aug 22, 202322:29
S03 E03: Systemic Challenges to Agile Adoption

S03 E03: Systemic Challenges to Agile Adoption

Would you consider agile adoption as risk averse or risk seeking?
Implementing changes in the current system and processes always carries a certain level of risk. Despite the finance sector's reputation for being risk-averse, we have adopted agility in a finance company because of the long-term benefits it brings. Join us as we share the challenges faced by our team and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Aug 15, 202329:46
S03 E02: The importance of a robust backlog

S03 E02: The importance of a robust backlog

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a project, only to realise that there is no clear solution in sight? Alain Machu is here to guide you through agile methods that can rescue your struggling product and to show the importance of a robust backlog.

Aug 08, 202314:05
S03 E01: Arriving to a digital agency

S03 E01: Arriving to a digital agency

It‘s been a while, but welcome back to the Agile Truth! In Season 3, we have selected the most sizzling project insights, fascinating interviewees, and valuable key takeaways exclusively for you.

Openness. This is one of many words used by a career changer to describe IBM iX. Our team members hail from diverse backgrounds, and in this episode, we delve into their beginnings in our digital agency. Kerstin Jungreithmeier opens up about her onboarding journey and sheds light on what sets IBM iX apart from her previous employer, showcasing its unique qualities.

Aug 01, 202304:38
S02 E10: A common understanding of agile across the organisation

S02 E10: A common understanding of agile across the organisation

What happens when various meanings are ascribed to the term agility? Different understandings of methods, ways of working, or processes can lead to chaos, a loss of productivity, and cost time. Marco Musielak points out how an aligned understanding of agile in the company, in projects, and with stakeholders can benefit particularly in the long term.

Aug 12, 202206:45
S02 E09: The importance of re-inspecting and re-adapting on each project

S02 E09: The importance of re-inspecting and re-adapting on each project

If a project goes really well, you can apply the knowledge and structures directly to the next project, right? Well, that's what Daniel Walter and his team also thought so that they adapted certain procedures for their new project. However, the team soon found out that things were not running as smoothly as before. To find out what exactly happened, listen to this episode.

Aug 05, 202205:04
S02 E08: The case for no pre-defined backlogs

S02 E08: The case for no pre-defined backlogs

Preparations are good and should be always made. However, preparation can also be an obstacle. Especially in relation to pre-defined backlogs. In one of his projects, Agile Coach Bernd Rottmann had to go through some challenges: New people, some restructuring and a lot of effort. Was the team able to successfully complete the project in the end? Find out in this episode!

Jul 29, 202207:47
S02 E07: Transparency, even when it's tricky

S02 E07: Transparency, even when it's tricky

Even if it's not wanted, not everything goes always as planned. In such a situation, it's important to communicate and be transparent in order to avoid further mistakes. Henry Zeitler told us his story where in one project not everything went well. Listen in and find out what he did and how he solved the problem.

Jul 22, 202207:59
S02 E06: The impact of certain tech on the agile workflow

S02 E06: The impact of certain tech on the agile workflow

A strategy is developed, a new concept is defined and the project can start. Sounds quite simple, right? Not exactly, because this is the moment where the first challenges start. In this episode Business Consultant Inge Schreibel tells us about her personalisation project where a certain set of technology was involved. Find out how Inge solved the challenges with her team in the following episode!

Jul 15, 202208:14
S02 E05: Communities of practice within a project

S02 E05: Communities of practice within a project

Have you ever heard of COP - communities of practice? Basically, this describes groups of people sharing the same interests and exchanging knowledge. If in a project many misalignments and uncertainty can be found COP can provide help. How? Listen to today's episode to find out!

Jul 08, 202209:50
S02 E04: Integrating experience design in agile projects

S02 E04: Integrating experience design in agile projects

How to re-design a solution from a UX/UI perspective to meet customer and user needs – in a very short time – and at the same time embrace new technological possibilities? Listen to leading UX Engineer and Experience Consultant Robert Krombholz to learn more about one approach to integrating Experience Design in agile projects.

Jul 05, 202207:06
S02 E03: Taking agile from a project level to the organizational level

S02 E03: Taking agile from a project level to the organizational level

Sometimes agility in projects isn't enough... sometimes the whole organisation needs to get agile. This ensures project teams are optimally supported and can work better in the right environment. So the goal and the vision are clear, but how to approach such a huge project? Rosa Stühlinger started off with creating clear roles and accountabilities. Tune in to find out her next steps!

Jun 24, 202206:50
S02 E02: Risk management on agile projects

S02 E02: Risk management on agile projects

A careful planning, a motivated team and all your stakeholder's approvals form a good base for every project, but still do not prevent every risk. A pandemic, remote work and long onboarding processes can suddenly complicate the whole project. There will always be some unknown variables nobody can foresee. Even a proper risk management may not prevent all risks, but it definitely reduces them and improves the handling of it. What it can look like in practice, in today's episode - Tune in!

Jun 20, 202207:04
S02 E01: When documentation is considered agile waste

S02 E01: When documentation is considered agile waste

Nice to see you again! Recovered, tanned and relaxed after our break, we welcome you to season 2!
Let’s focus on project documentation – time waste or useful help? In the beginning of a project, a team might manage well without documentation. But if the end result doesn’t meet the client’s expectations and needed requirements, it can cost you twice as much time for correction as you have saved. Listen to today’s episode to learn how to get out of this situation.

Jun 10, 202205:27
Bonus Episode 1: HR during the pandemic

Bonus Episode 1: HR during the pandemic

We all know that working during the pandemic wasn’t easy. But what were the consequences for our employees and what changes had to be made in order to maintain a strong corporate culture? In this special episode, our IBM iX HR Director Petra Lindner talks about the opportunities and risks, how they have changed our everyday working lives, and established new ways of working at the same time. Listen in!

Jun 03, 202223:31
S01 E10: How far Scrum Masters go to remove impediments

S01 E10: How far Scrum Masters go to remove impediments

In the last episode of our first season of The Agile Truth, Senior Scrum Master Shoaib Naik talks about the incident management process. Agile frameworks usually don't refer to this part of the software development process. So what to do when a given incident management tool is not user-friendly at all? Shoaib has the answer - tune in! Hear you again after our summer break.

Aug 27, 202105:46
S01 E09: The value of Scrum Masters in crisis situations

S01 E09: The value of Scrum Masters in crisis situations

Of course, Scrum Masters play an important role in every team, but how fundamental this role is, becomes particularly clear in crisis situations. When the team is not performing as successfully as planned and everybody points with the finger on somebody else, it's the scrum master's task to get the team out of this frustrating situation. Listen to today's episode to find out how!

Aug 20, 202105:26
S01 E08: How to manage dependencies across teams

S01 E08: How to manage dependencies across teams

With a growing project and team, dependencies among the members are increasing, too. The higher amount of team members eases the work on the one hand side but adds complexity on the other. How to manage dependencies and resulting issues in order to fulfill the customer's need? Clear, transparent communication was the first thing Laura Iucu implemented with her team to tackle this problem - tune in to find out her next steps!

Aug 13, 202106:52
S01 E07: Agile pragmatism

S01 E07: Agile pragmatism

Life happens. And so it can happen that within a dedicated long-term team an important role suddenly leaves. With no replacement in sight, how does a team cope with the loss of a leading role? Listen to today's episode to find out what our pragmatic solution at IBM iX looked like!

Aug 06, 202105:07
S01 E06: How the whole team can contribute to a high quality project

S01 E06: How the whole team can contribute to a high quality project

Expectations: One ambitious team working together with joint forces towards the project's goal with a code of superior quality.

Reality: Subgroups within one team and resulting communication problems leading to demotivation and quality issues.

In today's episode, we tell you how to overcome these problems and ensure that the whole team truly contributes with exceptional quality.

Jul 30, 202106:23
S01 E05: Roles and titles on teams

S01 E05: Roles and titles on teams

Usually, there are three defined roles in Scrum Teams: Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team. Although implementing further roles contradicts this approach, it can be beneficial. Listen to today's episode to learn which extra-role we added!

Jul 23, 202104:49
S01 E04: How to keep & deepen the relationship with stakeholders

S01 E04: How to keep & deepen the relationship with stakeholders

The interpersonal interaction between all parties in any project impacts the workflow as well as the results. Without trust, seamless cooperation, and clear communication, success is hardly possible. Find out how to keep and deepen the relationship between all stakeholders in today's episode!

Jul 16, 202104:57
S01 E03: How to win a new client’s trust

S01 E03: How to win a new client’s trust

Keeping the agility in projects high while minimizing the client's fear of losing control. How to win a client's trust with this approach? That's the topic of our third episode of The Agile Truth.

Jul 09, 202107:18
S01 E02: Clearing up stakeholders' misconceptions about sprint velocity

S01 E02: Clearing up stakeholders' misconceptions about sprint velocity

Many people think of sprint velocity as a performance indicator. Others assume the more story points the better the team. Myths or truth? Let's clear up some common misconceptions about sprint velocity!

Jul 02, 202106:05
S01 E01: What happens when a client does not want to go agile with us?

S01 E01: What happens when a client does not want to go agile with us?

Agility is still on everyone's lips. But what happens when a client does not want to break with stagnant processes? Find out how we combined known processes with the agile mindset in our podcast The Agile Truth!

Jun 25, 202103:36