Agile Toddler

Toolbox Treasures

Design Principles to Dodge 'Death by Slides'

Imagine sitting through another meeting where every slide feels as dense as a page from an encyclopedia. Sounds all too familiar, doesn’t it? David Phillips’ TEDx Talk offers a refreshing take on how to elevate your presentation game, making your slides not just seen, but impactful. Focus Over Fluff

Knowledge Kingdom

From Time Served to Lessons Learned: Why Your Work Anniversary Isn't Your Worth!

Today, I want to dive deep into a topic that recently struck a chord with me, all sparked by the insights of Uwe Peter Kanning, a luminary in the field of occupational psychology. He curates a fascinating YouTube channel, albeit in German, where he unpacks the complex psychological dynamics of

Craftsmen's Corner

iA Writer 7: Blending AI Efficiency with Human Ingenuity in Writing

Information Architects recently unveiled the latest iteration of their iA Writer software, where they shared their approach to working with AI. As an agile psychologist deeply involved in both psychology and technology, I have mixed feelings about AI tools like ChatGPT. It’s a bit of keen interest and cautious

Craftsmen's Corner

My Default Apps in 2023

In September there were some career changes that took me away from the blogging routine for a while. But here I am again, ready to fill this space with new thoughts and ideas. The last few months have been a journey. Amidst the challenges and opportunities of my professional role

Knowledge Kingdom

The Intricate Dance of Crafting SAFe Features: Bridging Business with Technology

✂️TL;DR: A true SAFe feature encapsulates business value, technical considerations, and stakeholder feedback. It's the sweet spot that ensures both technical soundness and true value delivery. The intersection of agile methods and organizational psychology has always fascinated me. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) works at this nexus

Toolbox Treasures

Bookworm: "The PARA Method" by Tiago Forte - Navigating the Waters of Digital Knowledge Management

The PARA MethodTry the simple system for organizing your digital life in seconds. Stop wasting time looking for information and gain greater focus on what matters most. In a world saturated with a constant influx of digital information, how often do we find ourselves overwhelmed? The struggle to keep up

Knowledge Kingdom

Breaking Barriers?! Boundary Management - The New Normal

It's a brave new world we live in. Digitalization has erased the clear lines that once separated our work and personal lives. This phenomenon, which psychologists call "extended work-related availability,"[1] has led to a spillover of work tasks into personal life and vice versa. This

Toolbox Treasures

A Fresh Perspective on Goal-Setting: The PACT Goals Technique

In the vast landscape of goal-setting strategies, I stumbled upon a technique that you have probably never heard of. Known as the PACT Goals Technique, it emphasizes the journey over the destination, focusing on the output of tasks rather than the outcome. This goal setting technique was created by Anne-Laure

Sandbox Thoughts

Productivity Reimagined: Shifting from Time Spent to Outcomes Achieved

In today's dynamic work culture, a common belief distorts our perception of productivity: equating time spent working with productivity. But is this a fair and practical measure? The Fallacy of Face Time "Face time", the amount of time an employee is visibly working during regular business

Toolbox Treasures

My Craftsmen's Corner: Obsidian

Welcome to "My Craftsmen's Corner," a series in which I share the tools that have become my allies in the journey of knowledge and discovery. Today, I'm excited to introduce you to a tool that has transformed my world of thoughts and ideas: Obsidian.

Toolbox Treasures

Measurement in Scrum: Harnessing the Power of Lean Flow Metrics

Today, we are taking a journey through the fascinating world of project management. Our objective? To challenge conventional wisdom, debunk ingrained misconceptions, and unlock the transformative power of lean flow metrics within the Scrum framework. This exploration is not limited to a single industry; these principles can be applied to

Knowledge Kingdom

Reimagining Appreciation - A Key Lever for Agile Work Cultures

As we navigate the maze of the 21st century workplace, one element that consistently emerges as essential is appreciation. Too often trapped in the rigid structures of annual performance reviews or a symbolic employee of the month award, appreciation is due for a radical transformation. The rising tide of agile

Knowledge Kingdom

The Myth of the Frequent Job Hopper: the Relationship between Personality Traits and Employment Patterns

Life is a constant ebb and flow of change - a philosophy that applies to our professional lives as well. Yet within the confines of the corporate world, job changes are often viewed with suspicion. How often have you heard the term "job hopper" used in a negative

Toolbox Treasures

Game On - Innovating Learning with "Scrum Master - The Game"

If I told you that you could get a glimpse into the world of Scrum Mastering with a game, would you be intrigued? I was, and that's why I'm pleased to introduce you to "Scrum Master - The Game", an exciting creation by Infinity

Knowledge Kingdom

The Unseen Danger of Groupthink

In my quest to understand the interplay between leadership and team dynamics, I have tackled the phenomenon of "groupthink". Ironically, this concept often creeps unnoticed into agile teams, which are usually celebrated for their commitment to adaptability and collaboration. The Invisible Threat of Groupthink Introduced by William H.

Agile

Is it really done?! The Definition of Done - A core concept that runs throughout the Scrum framework

The Scrum framework has made waves in the world of project management for its emphasis on collaboration, iterative progress, and responsiveness to change. But one element often slips under the radar, despite its profound potential to drive the successful delivery of value: the 'Definition of Done'. The Definition

Knowledge Kingdom

Rethinking Errors - An Unexpected Ally in Innovation and Growth

Conventional wisdom, whether in life or at work, has often led us to believe that "prevention is better than cure." This truism has deeply ingrained in us the fear of committing errors. It has shaped the culture of our organizations, driving us to meticulously eliminate errors at all

Toolbox Treasures

Introducing "Days Since Last" Metrics - A Guide to Boosting Team Performance

Welcome to a guide to Days Since Last (DSL) metrics, a new - at least to me - approach to improving team performance and business success. These metrics address the common challenges of dysfunctional team behavior by driving continuous improvement, early problem identification, and risk mitigation. This guide introduces the

Toolbox Treasures

Practical tips to help ensure a successful onboarding experience

In the modern work environment, remote work has become the standard for many organizations. As an avid explorer of the intersection of psychology and work, I want to delve deeper into strategies for making (virtual) onboarding more effective and ensuring the successful integration of new hires into a company'

New Work

Beyond Skimming: Strategies for Improving Comprehension and Retention in Screen Reading

As the digital age progresses, screen reading has become a pervasive aspect of our lives. Despite its prevalence, studies have revealed that screen reading may result in decreased focus, attention, and comprehension, particularly when it comes to lengthy non-fiction materials. To optimize screen reading and boost comprehension and retention, it

Knowledge Kingdom

The Agile Leader: How Personality Traits Drive Successful Transformation in Organizations

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, organizations must adapt to new challenges to remain competitive. Agile transformation, new ways of working, and digitalization are key issues that modern organizations cannot afford to ignore. Many companies are striving for transformation, but not all are approaching this development task correctly.

Agile

Breaking the Cycle of Work Fragmentation - Neuroergonomic Techniques for Improved Productivity and Reduced Stress

Work fragmentation is costly to organizations because it results in less efficient use of time, and employees may experience higher levels of stress and time pressure, leading to reduced productivity (5 days per month). To combat this, a neuroergonomic approach to work design can be implemented. This includes implementing * Focused

Toolbox Treasures

How to improve the quality of User Stories

📝 Summary (TL;DR) This guideline is used to determine whether a system or developed software meets customer expectations. The basis are acceptance criteria, which are the link between requirements or user stories and test cases. Since many projects require a systematic method for deriving acceptance criteria, this page presents a

Leadership

Authority in Leadership: Finding the Right Balance Between Control and Empowerment

Leadership is not just about being in charge; it's about creating a positive and effective organizational structure. Authority in leadership is a complex issue that requires a delicate balance between control and empowerment. Let's explore the different types of authority in leadership and how they affect

Knowledge Kingdom

The Importance of Mindfulness in Agile Workplaces

Agility has become the buzzword in the modern workplace. Processes, strategies, and employee mindsets need to be flexible and adaptable to rapid change. However, the pressure to adapt can be overwhelming if we focus solely on speed. Therefore, a balance between agility and deceleration is critical to achieving the best