Workshop in Paris
Sprint Planning and Retrospective, Estimation.
Scrum, Kanban or hybrid?
In 2024 early spring, I had the amazing opportunity to conduct a workshop in the captivating city of Paris. The workshop centered around exploring the details of Agile Project Management, with a particular emphasis on refining effective backlog management, estimation techniques, sprint planning and retrospective. The positive energy was palpable, as a diverse international team, comprised of experts including Product Managers, Product Owners and Scrum Masters, contributed unique perspectives, creating a dynamic environment. In my efforts to ensure a productive and enjoyable session, I diligently followed an agenda designed to benefit all participants, promoting a collaborative and satisfying experience for all involved.
Our journey began with the introduction of the product vision and objectives, following a comprehensive exploration of the project backlog. We delved into the various user stories, features, and tasks that comprised the backlog, ensuring a thorough understanding of the project’s scope. The backdrop of Paris, with its timeless elegance, seemed to inspire a creative and collaborative atmosphere among the participants.
With estimations in place, we smoothly transitioned into the sprint planning phase. The requirements, defined by the Product Owner (who happened to be me 😊), served as our guiding principles. As a team, we collaboratively determined the sprint duration and set the Sprint Goal, which was an MVP product; and subsequently, we began assigning backlog items to the first sprint.
As the workshop progressed, the synergy within the team became increasingly tangible. The combination of diverse expertise, effective estimation techniques, and clear product requirements paved the way for a well-prepared first sprint. The team left the workshop with not only a sense of accomplishment but also a shared vision of the project’s trajectory.
Conducting this workshop in the heart of Paris added an extra layer of inspiration and motivation for all involved. It was not just a professional endeavor but a cultural and collaborative experience that transcended the boundaries of traditional project management. The experience from the Paris workshop highlights the strength of teamwork, effective planning, and the magic that can happen when diverse minds come together in pursuit of a common goal.
Additionally, I introduced the concept of ShuHaRi (守破離) ⛩️ to the team, inspired by Aikido 🥋, to outline the three steps of achieving mastery. These phases seamlessly align with the corresponding stages of Agile Project Management, be it through applying Scrum for iterative development, Kanban for flow-based development, or a hybrid approach that integrates Scrum into Kanban.
Applying ShuHaRi (守破離) in Agile Scrum – A Three-Step Approach to Mastery
Share on
