In the latest episode of "Scrum is Hard and Disruptive," hosts Todd Miller and Ryan Ripley dive into a critical principle of Scrum that’s often overlooked: maximizing value by ruthlessly prioritizing. Episode 12, titled “Maximize Value,” highlights a simple yet powerful truth—successful product management is not about delivering everything; it’s about delivering the right things.
Ken's 12th Statement: "Managing a release or project to deliver only the highest value functionality and not deliver the rest optimizes value [and] is the job of product management and customers."
The conversation kicks off with a bold statement: managing a release or project to deliver only the highest value functionality and not the rest optimizes value. It’s a concept that resonates with every Scrum practitioner, but the execution is where teams often stumble. Todd and Ryan emphasize the importance of saying “no”—not just to customers who often want “all the things,” but to our own tendencies to overbuild and overcommit. This mindset, deeply rooted in Agile principles, aligns with the mantra of “maximizing the amount of work not done.” It’s about leaving the dirt on the ground and extracting the gold.
The hosts share valuable insights from their own experiences, noting that even great ideas can fall flat when delivered without validation. Experimentation, feedback, and evidence-based management are critical tools for ensuring that what gets shipped is actually valuable. Todd’s stance that a Product Owner should be ruthless in managing the Product Backlog echoes Steve Jobs’ philosophy—only the most valuable elements make the cut, and everything else waits for its turn, if it ever comes.
This episode is a wake-up call for product managers, Scrum Masters, and anyone involved in building products. It’s not just about building; it’s about building smart. The lesson here? Be ruthless, be strategic, and always aim to deliver value—not just features. Saying “no” is not just a defensive strategy; it’s a superpower that protects your product from waste and keeps your focus on what truly matters.
For more insights and to see Todd and Ryan in action, check out the full episode on their channel. Remember, in Scrum and life, saying “no” might just be the best decision you make.
⏩ Join Ryan and Todd for a Scrum.org course: https://buytickets.at/agileforhumansllc
Check out their books:
📖 "Unlocking Business Agility with Evidence-Based Management: Satisfy Customers and Improve Organizational Effectiveness" on Amazon -- https://amzn.to/4690qJy
📖 "Fixing Your Scrum: Practical Solutions to Common Scrum Problems" on Amazon -- https://amzn.to/46dAQTC