Over the years, I've noticed recurring challenges and red flags that can seriously limit Scrum's effectiveness. Spotting these symptoms early can mean the difference between Scrum thriving or turning into "mission impossible." In this blog post, I'll highlight the key pitfalls to watch out for.

Scrum Masters can sometimes fall into the trap of managing the process rather than coaching the team. While it might seem helpful to update tickets, close backlog items, or move tasks around, this kind of administrative work actually disempowers the team and takes the Scrum Master away from their real job: helping people grow, removing obstacles, and improving the adoption of Scrum.

Using velocity to measure the success of a Scrum team is like measuring a machine by a single cog in the wheel. The cog may be important, but it’s not the same as the value the machine produces.

New tools, frameworks, and best practices seem to appear every week—and many organizations adopt them without stepping back to ask a simple, but critical question: Does this support the way we compete? At the heart of good companies is a clear strategy—how you create value in the market. While there are many variations, most organizations compete along one of three fundamental value dimensions

How do you develop your company/operating model using product techniques? How do you use an Agile Product Operating Model to build your Agile Product Operating Model? Here's a somewhat concrete playbook bringing this thinking to life.

Implementing an AI transformation demands rethinking traditional organizational structures. Successful AI teams require autonomy, flexibility, iterative practices, and extensive cross-functional collaboration. This AI-driven organizational model balances strategic coherence, rapid experimentation, and continuous learning—setting the foundation for successful, scalable AI transformations.

Many teams struggle with Scrum—not because it doesn’t work, but because they modify it too soon. Before tweaking the framework, ask yourself: Have you truly tried Scrum as designed? Discover why ‘trying it as is’ matters and challenge your team to commit to five full Sprints before making changes.

Should all of the tasks be assigned in sprint planning and by whom?

Explore the relationship, differences and synergies between 3 Product-related buzzwords - Product-Led Growth, Product-Led Org, and Product Operating Model.

Selbstorganisation ist das Herzstück agiler Methoden wie Scrum. Sie ermöglicht es Teams, schneller und direkter Entscheidungen zu treffen, das Engagement der Teammitglieder zu steigern und den Bedarf an externer Steuerung zu minimieren. Doch was macht Selbstorganisation so effektiv? Und welche Voraussetzungen müssen erfüllt sein, damit sie ihr volles Potenzial entfalten kann? In meinem Blog-Post beleuchte ich die Schlüsselbedingungen für erfolgreiche Selbstorganisation: von klaren Zielen und Transparenz über das Vertrauen des Umfelds bis hin zur Integration des Product Owners als aktiver Teil des Teams. Entdecke, wie dein Team durch Selbstorganisation flexibler, engagierter und effizienter arbeiten kann!

In diesem Artikel erklärt PST Simon Flossmann 3 Denkfehler, die dein Sprint-Review ruinieren

Inspect & Adapt: Vibe Coding für schnelles Prototyping nutzen und gleichzeitig strenge Standards für den Produktionscode beibehalten? Oder es doch lieber beim Copilot belassen?

My two AI friends have read the first 3 chapters from the beta version of my book, Leading with Impact! In this BookCast, they talk about what they learned and how you might apply it as a Product or Technology leader who has taken on a new challenge - a new role, a new team or even an entirely new company. Think of yourself as being a fly on the wall at a book club meeting, where the attendees have actually read the book.

Transformation isn’t just about adopting new tools—it’s about rethinking how we work, collaborate, and create value. Through my journey coaching leaders and teams, I’ve seen what truly drives lasting change. It’s not a step-by-step process but a dynamic, interconnected journey. Where does transformation feel the hardest in your organization?

Many people think innovation and invention are the same—but they’re not. While invention creates something entirely new, innovation transforms what already exists into something better, smarter, and more impactful. Companies like Apple, Netflix, and Uber didn’t invent their industries, but they redefined them through innovation. So, what truly drives success—bold inventions or strategic innovations? And where does AI fit in this equation? Let’s dive in.

Learn why succeeding with vibe coding requires a balanced approach: use it for rapid prototyping while maintaining rigorous standards for production code, with developers evolving from code writers to architects and code auditors.

In diesem Artikel erklärt PST Simon Flossmann die 3 größten Refinement-Probleme

How "Strategy Knotworking" turns ideas and ambitions into reality, and why it's an excellent structure for your Sprint Retrospective.

Many organisations continue to struggle to adopt Scrum successfully as a framework for delivering great products. This post discusses some of the topics that these organisations have struggled with. The irony is that the elements of Scrum that they challenge are the very elements that can help solve their challenges.

This blog explores why traditional project management methods fall short in AI initiatives and how adopting an Agile mindset can significantly enhance AI success.

Scrum is described as ‘simple,’ but many teams still struggle. Why? Because simple doesn’t mean easy. Mastering Scrum requires discipline, collaboration, and continuous learning. Explore what ‘simple’ really means in Scrum and how to make it work effectively.

AI isn't just a futuristic concept—it’s already saving lives. My colleague Eric experienced this firsthand when his Apple Watch detected an irregular heartbeat, urging him to seek medical help. Before AI, such silent health risks often went unnoticed until it was too late. But today, with powerful machine learning models fueled by massive data, cheaper storage, and advanced processing power, AI is revolutionizing healthcare. From early disease detection to real-time monitoring, it’s changing the game. The question is—are we taking full advantage of it? It’s time to embrace AI for our health and well-being.

What is the Product Owner accountable for? From the Scrum Guide: The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team. The important part to focus on here is - maximizing the value of the product. But how does the Product Owner know that they are really maximizing the value of the Product? Well, that is where Dan Olsen’s Product Market Fit and Evidence-Based Management from Scrunm.org becomes helpful.

Scrum gibt klare Strukturen vor, aber das Konzept des „Flow“ fehlt—und genau hier setzen die „3 Ways of DevOps“ an. Flow, der reibungslose Fluss von Arbeit, ist entscheidend für die Effizienz und den Erfolg in der Softwareentwicklung. Die drei Wege von DevOps bieten wertvolle Perspektiven, um Bottlenecks zu identifizieren, Feedback-Schleifen zu verstärken und kontinuierliches Lernen zu fördern. Indem Scrum-Teams diese Prinzipien anwenden, können sie nicht nur ihren Flow optimieren, sondern auch ihre gesamte Arbeitsweise verbessern und mehr Wert für den Kunden schaffen. Erfahre in meinem Blog-Post, wie DevOps den Scrum-Prozess bereichern kann und warum Vertrauen und Sicherheit der Schlüssel zu echter Innovation sind.

In diesem Aritkel teilt PST Simon Flossmann seine 3 liebsten Formate für persönliche Retrospektiven

Ein strukturierter Ansatz zur Nutzung von KI-Modellen, der eigens für agile Praktiker entwickelt wurde.

Unlock the transformative power of AI by turning your company's untapped data into groundbreaking market opportunities. This blog delves into how AI goes beyond automation, enabling businesses to reshape industries and create new revenue streams. Discover real-world examples—such as Amazon's predictive shopping and GE's maintenance strategies—that highlight AI's potential. Learn actionable steps to integrate AI into your business strategy, starting with identifying hidden data opportunities and fostering a culture of experimentation. Embrace AI as a strategic asset to gain a competitive edge in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

Don’t let poor Product Ownership cost your business valuable time, money, and talent. In this post from PST Sanjay Saini, he explains why your teams—and your bottom line—will thank you for training your PO.

Scrum als Phrase ohne Substanz Oft wird Scrum nur oberflächlich eingeführt: Meetings heißen plötzlich „Daily Scrum“, klassische Projektzyklen werden zu „Sprints“ umbenannt – aber inhaltlich bleibt alles beim Alten. Die Erwartung: Agilität soll die Geschwindigkeit und Effizienz steigern. Doch ohne eine echte Veränderung der Unternehmenskultur und Arbeitsweise bleibt Scrum ein leeres Versprechen.

Contrary to traditional management thinking, bigger teams do not necessarily equate to better productivity.

Case Study on Improved Workflow and Teamwork showing a 75% reduction in planning time and a productivity gain of 2 working weeks per year for each team member.

Integrity isn’t tested under scrutiny—it’s tested in the quiet moments when no one is watching. In the corporate world, small ethical lapses can snowball into major scandals, and AI only amplifies these biases. From hiring discrimination to deepfake fraud, AI learns from human decisions, mirroring both strengths and blind spots. Leaders must take responsibility by auditing AI, ensuring transparency, and fostering ethical decision-making. The future of AI depends on the integrity we model today. Will you lead with ethics—or let bias dictate the future?

A Scrum Master's pitfall is getting too attached to their role. They no longer address impediments because they fear losing their freelance assignment or permanent role and negatively impacting their career. In this blog post, I share why they should be willing to get fired.

At the end of our first Sprint, during the Retrospective, someone pointed out that the Daily Scrum alone would add over 250 meetings a year. It felt excessive. We were already frustrated with too many meetings, so why would we willingly add more? But as we kept going, something changed. We started seeing the benefits—not just in theory, but in practice.

Learn how to effectively communicate with AI tools guiding them to create your desired output for challenging topics in the Scrum world.

A structured approach to prompting AI models designed specifically for Agile practitioners who want to leverage this technology as a powerful ally in their journey.

In diesem Arikel warnt PST Simon Flossmann vor 3 Fehler die Stakeholder-Management ruinieren.

The AI Gold Rush: Are You Falling for the FOMO Trap? Everywhere you look, companies are bragging about their AI breakthroughs. Your competitors are “going all in.” Your LinkedIn feed is flooded with AI success stories. And now, you’re wondering—are we falling behind? Here’s the truth: AI isn’t a strategy. It’s just a tool. Rushing in without a clear plan can lead to wasted resources, frustrated teams, and a whole lot of chaos. The real winners? They’re not just following the hype. They’re strategically leveraging AI to create value, optimize operations, and gain a competitive edge. So, are you leading the AI revolution—or just chasing the trend? Don’t get left behind. Read more 👇

This blog continues the earlier blog series on Empathetic Leadership. Empathy is a powerful leadership trait, but being an empathetic leader isn't always easy or appreciated. Here are some soft truths and hard facts that empathetic leaders often face.

Scrum’s repetition isn’t about doing the same thing over and over—it’s about evolving with every cycle. Learn how the rhythm of Scrum drives continuous improvement, reduces complexity, and ensures teams deliver value Sprint after Sprint.

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie Sie die Ausrichtung auf die Nutzwertkette etablieren und Ihr Product Operating Model erstellen können.

If you have come across the book Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux you would know that there are many different ways an organization can be structured. Similarly, there are many different ways how leaders act in these differently structured organizations. When there is an Agile Transformation happening in an organization, the status quo in the organization is challenged.  The answer often to this is to make teams adopt agile practices, method,s or frameworks but the leadership, management and rest of the organization stays in its own existing structures. Such Agile transformations often do not work. Reason being, true agile transformation requires a fundamental mindset shift not only in how we develop the products but also how we lead and manage the organization.

In diesem Artikel erklärt PST Simon Flossmann 3 Methoden, wie du Voträge interaktiver gestalltet werden können.

What Happens When AI and a Doctor Work as a Team? Dr. Mehta, a seasoned radiologist, has a new assistant—an AI system that analyzes medical scans in seconds. But can AI truly match a doctor’s intuition? What happens when AI gets it wrong? And what about when AI catches something the doctor misses? This blog dives into a fascinating, real-world partnership where AI and humans don’t compete—they complement each other. The result? Faster diagnoses, better patient care, and more time for what truly matters. Curious to see how AI is changing the game? Let’s get started.

The Sprint Review – one of the most central and exciting events in an agile team, right? Well, theoretically. In practice, many people find it boring, ineffective, or just a mandatory event. Many Scrum Teams stumble over common pitfalls and miss the chance to create real engagement. But it doesn’t have to be this way! A well-run Sprint Review can inspire, unleash energy, be truly enjoyable, and provide a platform for valuable, product-related feedback. Here are 6+ ideas on how to make your Sprint Review a real highlight that excites everyone!

Success without purpose is like running on a treadmill—you’re moving, but not getting anywhere. Blockbuster ignored purpose and lost to Netflix. BlackBerry missed the bigger picture, while Apple stayed true to its mission. Clayton Christensen’s How Will You Measure Your Life? warns leaders against chasing short-term wins at the cost of long-term fulfillment. Whether in personal leadership, product development, or organizations, a clear purpose provides focus, flexibility, and fulfillment. It’s not just about winning—it’s about building something meaningful. Are you leading with purpose or just reacting?

The role of the #ScrumMaster is often misunderstood. It's helpful to consider WHO were the early adopters? What was their interest in #Scrum? What did they bring to the role of Scrum Master?

Can AI generate high-quality code that is extensible, maintainable, and scalable? This experiment was a simple test to first evaluate the quality of AI-generated code for a basic kata against technical excellence principles—assessing its structure, modularity, and maintainability. Next, AI was prompted to apply a Test-Driven Development (TDD) approach to see if it could improve the quality with a software craftsmanship mindset and principles. The findings were insightful, revealing interesting patterns in how AI approaches structure, testing, and iterative development.

In diesem Artikel teilt PST Simon Flossmann seine wichtigsten Erkenntnisse und Lektionen als Scrum Master

Learn more about how to embrace the alignment-to-value pipeline and create your product operating model.