Agile Community Network
Episodes
Is Agile the Problem or is it an Organizational Disease?
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn ACN Episode 109, we explored a common question many organizations are asking today: when Agile seems to fail, is Agile really the p...
Change That Sticks
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about what it takes to make change stick—especially when “Agile transformation” becomes a label instead...
Staying Resilient in a Layoff Era
22 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode of the Agile Community Network, we discuss how to stay resilient amid constant layoffs and uncertainty. We look at the...
Agile Burnout
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we explore the growing issue of Agile burnout — when teams lose their spark and the work begins to feel like just a...
Tools Over People
27 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackOne of the biggest challenges facing the Agile community today is the way tools are used. Too often, they become a substitute for conv...
Rebuilding Communities of Practice
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we discuss how to re-engage Agile Communities of Practice during periods of declining participation by clarifying the...
Does your boss understand what you do?
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we explore ways to move from "my boss doesn't understand what I do" to strategies for resolving the is...
Talking to The C-Suite
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackAre your agile efforts getting lost in translation? In this episode, we share practical ways for how agilists can talk to the C-suite ...
Policy or Empowerment?
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we examine how teams are influenced by the extent to which policy or empowerment affects them and how we can support ...
Does Lean help Agile?
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn episode 100 of the ACN podcast, we celebrate being the longest continuously running podcast focused on Agile and improving work pra...
Creating Flow
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn episode 99 of the ACN podcast, we explore the concept of “flow” and why it’s more than just a buzzword. We explore how nurtur...
Fixing a Broken Culture
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn episode 98 of the ACN podcast, we delve into the broken culture within our team and company and explore ways to address it. We also...
Agile in Mergers and Acquisitions
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn episode 97 of the ACN podcast, we explore Agile's role in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), emphasizing the early involvemen...
Looking ahead to 2025 and celebrating 2024
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn episode 96 of the Agile Coaching Network, we looked ahead to Agile in 2025, envisioning more flexible, hybrid frameworks, a growing...
Agile in the Age of AI
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us Feedback In this episode, we explore how AI can help your teams build better products and more fully embrace Agile principles. We also discus...
Organizational Change
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we will delve into various organizational change models, explore common pitfalls to avoid, provide strategies for eff...
The Aftermath of Layoffs
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we offer guidance to those affected by layoffs—both individuals now seeking new employment and those remaining who ...
Is Transformation a Flawed Concept?
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we dive deep into the concept of transformation within our business, questioning whether it is fundamentally flawed. ...
Simplicity, the true power of Agile.
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us Feedback In this podcast episode, we dive deep into one of the most frequently misunderstood principles: simplicity. We explore its true mean...
Value of Agile Coaches
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this podcast episode, we delve into the various obstacles that Agile coaches encounter when attempting to quantify and demonstrate ...
Are Companies Backing Away From Agile?
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we explore interesting trends in the industry, leading us to delve deeper into whether companies are backing away fro...
Responding to Changing Requirements
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we will be addressing the challenges that arise when requirements change unexpectedly or when flexibility is needed i...
Leadership Traits for Building Customer-Centric Teams
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we will be discussing the essential leadership traits that are required to build a customer-centric organization. We ...
Is it really back-to-basics for Agile?
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we discuss Jon Kern’s, coauthor of the Agile Manfesto, LinkedIn post calling for a return to Agile basics and reima...
Influence and Ways to Improve it
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we will discuss the key components of influence and techniques for enhancing it to improve your work as a coach.Join ...
Strategic Agility
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we'll explore methods to improve organizational responsiveness by aligning strategic and tactical delivery and c...
Advice on Coaching a New Agile Team
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we discuss techniques for starting a new coaching engagement with a team and getting them headed in the right directi...
Learning Spike: Abandoning the Agile Brand
29 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackDuring the Agile 2023 event, I couldn't help but notice a significant number of individuals I met had chosen to remove the term &...
The Agile Industrial Complex
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis episode explores the often-discussed unhealthy relationship between adopting organizations, consultancies, certificate providers,...
Agile Risk Mitigation and Tips for a New Team Coach
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis episode delves into Agile methodology and its potent role in mitigating risks. We also explore the art of persuading and enlistin...
What about the people!!!
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we explore how companies prioritizing processes over nurturing their workforce's skills and executing Agile with...
Has Agile Jumped the Shark?
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we delve into the question of whether Agile has "jumped the shark." We examine the current state of Agile a...
ACN Learning Spike: the Cynefin Framework
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackWelcome to the ACN Learning Spike! Our short, informative episodes are designed to provide insights on various topics that can enhance...
Balancing the "how" and "why" in product delivery
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn today's fast-paced world, we often prioritize the "how" of building things - the methods, tools, and resources we us...
Communities of Practice the Benefits and Challenges
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we discuss the benefits and challenges of communities of practice. Join Shawna Cullinan, Jörg Pietruszka, Diana La...
Laid Off in the Age of AI
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about recent layoffs and ways to maneuver your career in the age of AI. Join Shawna Cullinan, Jörg Pietrus...
Focus! How do we help people find it?
04 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis episode explores how we help teams to achieve focus, especially with remote work. Also, with this being our end-of-the-year pod...
When Coaching is no Longer Coaching
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis episode explores how sometimes coaching becomes merely an expert leader using coaching language to drive a narrow self-serving ag...
Agile Transformation Strategies
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis episode explores people's go-to strategies for an Agile transition within a company. We also examine what works well with th...
Teal Organization and its fit inside Agile. Plus, Agile metrics
11 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we explore how Teal organization theory fits inside Agile. Is this a model that more companies should use along with ...
Impediments
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis episode explores impediments and what we can do about them. Join Hendrik Esser, Shawna Cullinan, Jörg Pietruszka, Diana Larse...
What would you have done differently?
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we explore with what you know today what you would have done differently in your Agile Coaching. Would you have put...
Ways to Coach and Foster Innovation
11 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackCreating a competitive advantage means more than Agile building efficiencies in delivery--it is also about innovative solutions. So ho...
The Agile Manager
21 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThe managers often have trouble adapting to an Agile way of work, but the problem of why this is an issue twenty years after the manif...
Too busy to improve!
09 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackEvery Agile coach is faced with a team that says they are too busy to improve. You’re frustrated. You see the improvements you want ...
How and what are we learning this year?
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackAs we perhaps get past Covid, how and what will we learn this year? Are you planning to attend in-person events? What about onlin...
How can we help Agile teams to thrive?
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackHow can so many teams not be thriving with Agile, when there are so many people certified as scrum masters, product owners, and coache...
Helping Hybrid Workplaces to Prosper
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackWelcome to the New Year! In this special episode of the ACN, we talk with members of the Supporting Agile Adoption Initiative about th...
Where Agile Transformations Go Wrong
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about whether companies where Agile transformations go wrong, and we talk about ways to create the right envi...
How do we advocate for change?
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about the best way to advocate for change. What are some of the ways coaches advocate for something, and w...
The future of work and convincing leaders to change
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about what does work look like post-Covid and companies shift who really needs to be in an office. Is this ...
Building technical excellence and do you need a certification?
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about the ninth principle of the Agile Manifesto "Continuous attention to technical excellence and good ...
Constant pace indefinitely and should contractors move forward if done early?
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about the Agile principle promoting and maintaining a constant pace indefinitely. Is this really possible?...
Has Agile become too homogeneous and how to coach leads and managers
17 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about has Agile become too homogeneous. We also explore ways to coach development leads and managers about ...
Dealing with project failure and going back to the office
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about dealing with failure. We also talk about what are the ways your company may be preparing for people t...
Fostering Self-Organizing Teams and Agile for Hardware Development
01 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about how to foster self-organizing teams. We also talk about the best practices for Agile in hardware deve...
Dealing with disruption and best practices to build trust
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about how Agile is used when dealing with disruption. We also talk about the best practices to build trust ...
Has Agile Left Programmers Behind? Plus, Flat Retrospectives
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about why do some programmers feel that Agile has left them behind. We also talk about what do we do when the...
Agile at 20 and what is the difference between facilitating vs. leading a meeting.
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode of the ACN, we are exploring Agile at age 20. This includes talking about what may be missing in the values and pr...
Waves of transformation and Agile at 20
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackWelcome to the New Year! In this special episode of the ACN, we are talking with members of the Supporting Agile Adoption Initiative...
Agile communities of practice, performance reviews, and mixed questions from our live event
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIt is our 50th episode! Thank you all for listening and participating over the years! In this episode, we talk about Agile communit...
Permanent work-from-home and Agile, and resources for business and leadership agility
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about the impact of permanent work-from-home policies on Agile team development and coaching. Plus, we shar...
From command and control to self-organization, and why use Agile project management.
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about ways to move teams away from command and control over to a more self-organization model. Also, we exp...
Implementing Agile on non-software teams, when teams get too big, and steps to become a product owner
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about recommendations for implementing Agile on a team not developing software, what are the signs that a tea...
Agile Testing Strategies and Coaching an Overwhelmed Product Owner
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about Agile testing strategies and does it look like in different companies. Also, we talk about coaching a...
Dealing with unconscious biases, and shifting the team to an outcome mindset.
28 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about how we deal with unconscious biases as a coach, and how do we detect and dampen them. Also, we talk ...
Maneuvering a Black Swan event, and what are good ways to measure Agile maturity.
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we discuss how to maneuver and prepare for a Black Swan event. Also, we talk about should we measure Agile maturity...
What does it mean to be good enough, and how should Agile coaches measure their success
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we discuss what does it mean to be "good enough" to ship a product. Also, we talk about how Agile coaches...
Working remotely when face-to-face is not possible and taking care of yourself
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we devote the hour to talking about having to work remotely now that face-to-face is not possible. We also talk abo...
Team and personal learning, moving from scrum master to Agile coach, and moving to enterprise-level coach
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about how people learn both at the team and personal level. We also talk about how somebody moves to an Agi...
Moving boldly into the New Year, how to not be an outsider as a scrum master, and effective team communications.
29 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about people's big Agile wins in 2019 and what they want to get done in 2020. We also answer the quest...
Building an octopus organization and supporting sustainability
18 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackAn exclusive interview with the Supporting Agile Adoption Initiative at their yearly meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. Attendees includ...
Why ask permission to be better, the nature of work and frameworks, and assessing Agile maturity
23 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this last episode of the year: (2:24) We explore why people seek permission to improve products, their teams, and themselves(26:52...
A live chat with thought leaders in the Agile test community about Agile and test.
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis is a special ACN that was recorded live with Eddy Bruin, Kristine Corbus, Paul Holland, Tom Roden, David Evans, Damian Synadinos ...
Is Agile killing or helping innovation, do cycle time metrics add value, building cohesive teams, what success has happened with Agile in K-12 education, and what people are reading
26 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode: (00:39) Is Agile killing or helping innovation?(15:20) Is there value in determining metrics based on cycle time? Wh...
Building "Yes, and" culture, how to bring culture change to an organization, and what people are reading
23 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, (00:37) we talk about building a "Yes, and..." culture; (28:17) How do you bring cultural change to an orga...
What is wrong with mandated Agile, Scrum master value, digital vs. Agile transformations, and late user stories
04 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode: (00:45) we talk about what is wrong with mandated Agile transformations (17:43) What is the best way a scrum master...
Building projects around motivated people, employee engagement, and stop converting story points to time
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about:The Agile principle about how we can build projects around motivated individuals. How do we do this?(23...
Flow and Agile, measuring coaching effectiveness, and the role of the PMO in Agile
24 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, (01:04) we explore the concept of Flow and how it works with Agile; (19:44) Any suggestions on coaching effectiveness...
Never enough time to test, stakeholders participation, should leaders understand Agile, and personal agility
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, (00:51) we explore a terrible story from the Narrative Project about never having enough time to test; (21:47) How do...
Lack of training opportunities, small steps to shift to an Agile funding model, building trust when teams are not co-located, and what we are reading
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, (1:03) Narrative Project: we explore ways to dampen stories around somebody feeling that they don't get training...
Great leaders impact on Agile, calculating business value, required reading on culture change, how to hold teams accountable
12 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, (00:40) Narrative Project: Great leaders build strong Agile teams. How to make more stories like this?; (16:50) Busin...
Empower the team to write great code, developing an Agile mindset, nonfunctional requirements and Agile, and addressing misleading terminology
12 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (00:26) a story from the Agile Narrative Project titled "What about the code?" and how to emp...
Calling an Agile Adoption done and firing the coaches, encouraging continuous development, concerns with SAFe, and Agile and team structures,
02 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode we talk about (00:39) the problem with calling Agile adoption being done and letting go of the coaches; (05:59) story ...
Round table discussion with Agile leaders, is it really just about software, business and developers working together, self organization, and is face-to-face outdated
19 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackA special holiday episode with the Agile Alliance's Supporting Agile Adoption (SAA) initiative team talking about the 12 principl...
Agile improving work life balance, how project managers transition to Agile, and best practices for tactical and strategic goals
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (00:50) how Agile reduces overtime and improves work-life balance, (17:30) How to implement Agile in ev...
Agile burnout, training programs for managers, good certification programs, measuring scrum master value
24 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (00:55) the Agile narrative project story on being burned out by Agile, (16:33) There don't seem t...
The overpowering scrum master, techniques to help traditional companies, product owner empowerment, small chunks of work, and long lived teams
23 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (01:04) the Agile Narrative Project story of the overpowering scrum master, (18:35) what coaching techn...
David Hussman, building physiological safety, sprint planning, useful metrics, and best practices for release planning
25 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode we (01:07) A few words on the passing of David Hussman, (03:14) Agile Narrative Project: How do we build physiological...
Influencing the business, knowing if your coaching is going the right direction, facilitating Agile principles and values, and realistic sprints goals
01 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (00:34) how an IT Agile coach can influence the business side of an organization, (15:23) how an Agile ...
Engage upper and executive management, first line managers, measuring the Agile coach, and coach helping with budgets
04 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis episode we talk about (00:36) tactics and strategies to engage upper and executive management in adopting business agility, (12:4...
Are all Agile transformations slow, backlog grooming in Kanban, Agile coach vs scrum master, and ignoring Agile values
08 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (00:55) are all Agile transformations extremely slow, (20:00) how to do backlog grooming in Kanban, (22...
Ways to promote the value of Agile Coaching, and the limits to scaling the Agile adoption to large organizations
22 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (00:54) what are some ways to promote the value of Agile Coaching, and (25:46) we talk about what are t...
Affecting culture in complex systems, and Agile adoption steps in classic organizations
01 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we talk about (00:36) is culture an emergent property of a complex system and how we can affect that culture, and (20...
The risk of setting up a internal coaching group, setting a deadline for the Agile adoption, and how to coach when the manager is aggressive
23 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode we talk about the risk of setting up an internal coaching group, should we set a deadline for our Agile adoption to be...
Why scale frameworks feel like waterfall, talking to executives, and what is business agility
25 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode, we are talking about why scaled frameworks may feel like waterfall, how to talk to executives, and what the heck is t...
Overcoming negative bias of a failed adoption, working with geographically dispersed teams, under trained Scrum masters, building credibility when you are a non-developer coach
07 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode we talk about how to overcome the negative bias from a previous failed Agile adoption, tips for working with geographi...
How to motivate a team working on a old product, what makes a good agile coach, and must read/watch for Agile practitioners
23 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis week we talk about how to motivate a team that is working on older products, what makes a good agile coach, and what resources ar...
How to handle interrupts, using story points vs. hours, getting a vertical slice of functionally, how to integrate Agile in non-software teams, and when can you call yourself Agile
10 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackIn this episode we talk about how do Agile teams handle interrupts, why teams should use story points vs. hours, getting a vertical sl...
Unlimited power to guide Agile in large organizations, first step to agilize a team, and what is the criteria to call yourself a Agile Coach
23 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Give Us FeedbackThis week we talk about what if we had "unlimited power” on how we would guide Agile adoption across a large heterogeneous orga...