Growing Scrum Masters
Growing Scrum Masters
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How Does Technical Debt Impact Product Backlog Prioritization and Management
In this video, we explore the impact of technical debt on product backlog prioritization and management, offering insights into how teams can effectively handle this common challenge in software development. Whether you're a developer, Scrum Master, or Product Owner, understanding how to manage technical debt is crucial for maintaining a healthy product backlog and ensuring long-term product quality.
I begin by clarifying what technical debt actually is. It's not about things you haven't built yet or features that have become outdated due to technological advancements. Instead, technical debt refers to the corners that were cut during development-things that were not done to the quality standards that were originally professed. Over time, these issues accumulate, making it increasingly difficult to deliver new features or make changes without encountering significant problems.
### The Impact of Technical Debt on Backlog Management and Prioritization
There are two main aspects to consider when dealing with technical debt in the context of a product backlog: **managing** the backlog and **prioritizing** it. Here, I discuss three different approaches to managing technical debt:
1. **Hardening or Refactoring Sprints:**
- This approach involves stopping new feature development to focus on fixing existing issues. While sometimes necessary, I explain why I'm not a fan of this method. It halts progress, reduces velocity to zero, and doesn't deliver new value to the customer. This approach is compared to a mechanic who cleans the workshop but doesn't actually service the car-you've paid for something, but you don't see any immediate benefit.
2. **Adding Technical Debt Items to the Backlog:**
- Here, I discuss the practice of adding technical debt tasks directly to the backlog. While this aligns with Agile principles of making work visible and understandable, it can lead to a backlog flooded with technical debt items that overshadow new product features. This method requires careful management and a product owner who can balance the trade-offs between technical and product work.
3. **Slowing Down the Team to Address Technical Debt:**
- My preferred method doesn't involve the backlog directly. Instead, it focuses on slowing down the team's pace to ensure they can meet quality standards. I use the analogy of running downhill, where you feel in control initially but lose control as you gain speed. By slowing down, teams can stop accumulating technical debt, stabilize their work, and then gradually start addressing the debt in the areas they are currently working on.
### Key Takeaways
- **Focus on Quality:** Teams should always aim to work to the highest quality standards they set for themselves. Technical debt is often a result of failing to meet these standards, whether due to time pressures or other factors.
- **Progress Incrementally:** When dealing with technical debt, it's essential to focus on the areas that matter most-the parts of the system you're actively working on. As new work is undertaken, teams should improve the quality in those areas, gradually reducing technical debt over time.
- **Avoid Overloading the Backlog:** While it’s important to track technical debt, flooding the backlog with too many technical items can obscure the primary goal of delivering value to the customer. Balance is key.
- **Continuous Improvement:** Addressing technical debt should be part of a continuous improvement process. Slow down to ensure quality, then gradually pick up the pace as the team stabilizes and the system improves.
**Chapters:**
1. **Introduction to Technical Debt (00:00-00:20)**
- Defining what technical debt is and isn't, and why it's a common challenge in software development.
2. **Impact on Backlog Management (00:20-00:46)**
- Discussing the two aspects of managing technical debt: backlog management and prioritization.
3. **Approach 1: Hardening or Refactoring Sprints (00:46-01:39)**
- Why I’m not a fan of stopping new development to fix old problems, and the drawbacks of this approach.
4. **Approach 2: Adding Technical Debt to the Backlog (01:39-02:29)**
- How to incorporate technical debt into the backlog, the potential pitfalls, and the importance of balancing product and technical priorities.
5. **Approach 3: Slowing Down to Address Technical Debt (02:29-03:39)**
- My preferred approach, where teams slow down to stabilize quality, and gradually address technical debt without directly using the backlog.
6. **Conclusion: Continuous Improvement and Quality Focus (03:39-End)**
- Emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement, maintaining quality standards, and the long-term benefits of addressing technical debt effectively.
By the end of this video, you'll have a better understanding of how to manage and prioritize technical debt within your product backlog, ensuring that your team can maintain quality and continue delivering value over time.
มุมมอง: 36

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ความคิดเห็น

  • @AntonFrisk
    @AntonFrisk 9 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Would be nice if you showed the spreadsheet of that to see how it looks in practice. Thanks for the tips

  • @greggsanderson13
    @greggsanderson13 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great video by the way!

  • @greggsanderson13
    @greggsanderson13 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

    When talking about a team shifting from Scrum to/from Kanban, I think it's important to give the Scrum framework and the Kanban methodology a chance as they are designed, before you pick and choose what works best for you. Some orgs try Scrum and quickly decide "some parts aren't for us" and change to something that is an altered version of Scrum, and therefore, is not Scrum. I think you might be implying this in the video, but I thought it important to call out loud and clear.

  • @Weaver271
    @Weaver271 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I think some of the confusion around Epics vs Stories stems from tools such as JIRA which tend tend to frame Epics as more of a container for user stories than as just a particularly large story themselves. JIRA for example doesn't even show Epics on the project backlog. Personally I use Epics in JIRA more or less as a glorified label, just a way to easily filter linked user stories. I find this does encourage you to formulate user stories such that they can be done in 1 sprint or else split them further.

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I completely agree. JIRA has caused a lot of confusion by forcing terms on to people, often with different meanings to what was originally intended. For me what has become most important is not that you use the "right" definition, but that everyone in the team/organisation uses the same definition. Taking time to create a glossary of these terms can be beneficial for a long time after.

  • @trantoan2908
    @trantoan2908 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great! thank you for this video.

  • @rajeshkumarbc9516
    @rajeshkumarbc9516 หลายเดือนก่อน

    what this has to do with stoicism?

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Err... Nothing it would seem. I seem to have a few issues with the process being followed. Thank you for raising this.

  • @andreypolovinkin7355
    @andreypolovinkin7355 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good video! Keep it up!

  • @Innosee
    @Innosee 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have never seen a market shift so rapidly that your product strategy is out of date in less than 2 weeks, even 4. Can you give a real example of this? Thanks

  • @deontemeriwether
    @deontemeriwether 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yeah… whatever he said

  • @providentia3103
    @providentia3103 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    good example

  • @ifeanyio7602
    @ifeanyio7602 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great content. I have a suggestion for you. Can you use an external microphone? It would boost your voice even more. Cheers.

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks, I've had quite a few mic issues with the new office and if I'm honest, I'm running out of ideas to resolve them. This would have been recorded with a Blue Yeti.

  • @shaleyjackson623
    @shaleyjackson623 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have the developers take turn facilitating. It also helps with team development especially at the forming stage.

  • @GavinVaz-i1h
    @GavinVaz-i1h 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Please listen to your video before posting online. I believe even you will not be able to hear yourself

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks, something has gone wrong here. I'll see if we can improve the quality and keep a closer eye.

  • @excitedwandererjapan
    @excitedwandererjapan 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video, it's important that all scrum masters and project managers know that the key factor lies in managing people well. One point of criticism i would make is to check your subtitles before uploading the video because i've found quite a few mistakes from what it's showing versus what you're saying.

  • @DaGoat97
    @DaGoat97 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As an engineer manager within a true agile environment, sorry but we really truly appreciate the pm scrum masters.

  • @lpaone01
    @lpaone01 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great Video!

  • @KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb
    @KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    baba your voice volume is low

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks, something has gone wrong here. I'll see if we can improve the quality and keep a closer eye.

  • @gausov1684
    @gausov1684 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Brilliant

  • @soniachh123
    @soniachh123 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    very informative!!

  • @alif-bae
    @alif-bae 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A whole lot of BS is what it is.

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You're welcome to your opinion but that's not one I share.

  • @keithmelvin258
    @keithmelvin258 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for using simple language to explain the Spike - it's a research tool/task to help you better understand problems and make better decisions - Can We Spike It - Yes We Can!

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for the Bob the Builder reference; it brought a smile to my face.

  • @gopalashetty3592
    @gopalashetty3592 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    what is Scrum-of-Scrum? I subscribed your channel becuase the way explain is very good your English realy good. I hope I learn from your channel.

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks and welcome. A scrum of scrums is simply the Daily Scrum across multiple teams. I'll see if I've covered it before and share it here.

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hope this helps: What is 'scrum of scrums' and why is it effective? th-cam.com/video/yyDG0cubdPY/w-d-xo.html

  • @kayondacosta9249
    @kayondacosta9249 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Super video 🤎

  • @OlasupoTemitope-w8c
    @OlasupoTemitope-w8c 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I struggled with structuring my experience with a stakeholder during an interview stage, coming across this video really helped me understand and provided me with the template I needed.

  • @PriyaJaiswal-b6o
    @PriyaJaiswal-b6o 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hey there, I recently discovered Vabro, a Scrum tool that's totally changed the game for our team. It's got everything you need to manage Agile projects like a pro, with super user-friendly features and some cool extras. If you're looking for a solid Scrum tool, Vabro is definitely worth checking out!

  • @przemysawidasiak9758
    @przemysawidasiak9758 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thumb up, because your content on the channel is outstanding but sound on this video is sore.. you should replace it. Topic is important

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for the feedback. This is one of the videos where we had problems with the mic. Hopefully we've already rectified the problem, but sorry that it distracted. I'll ask the team to put the question back onto the list and we will reshoot in the future.

    • @przemysawidasiak9758
      @przemysawidasiak9758 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@GrowingScrumMasters yeah it's totally ok. I just have been watching your videos one by one, and this is so profound content. I switched my mindset by seeing your approach. So sorry, for that sound related comment. I should give a shout-out in every video you made. It's awesome.

  • @v1sh61
    @v1sh61 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you so much! I wish I could give you a million likes. I stumbled upon your video and found exactly what I was looking for. No bs, pure liquid gold.

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you so much, comments like these make my day.

  • @jesusbosch2720
    @jesusbosch2720 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nice content! Liked and subscribed. There is not much content as good as this out there. I want more! 😆

  • @jeff-creations
    @jeff-creations 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks for your take / insight. Your videos are good!

  • @WoutervandenHeever
    @WoutervandenHeever 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you John for sharing your wisdom and knowledge in this series of short clips

  • @timbeatty5176
    @timbeatty5176 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I like your example.

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks, Tim. I find that sometimes the explanations can be too dry without adding a little bit of colour to them

  • @chineduolekah8425
    @chineduolekah8425 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hi John, great video. I want to start a career in Business Analytics; and i know you need a bit of Agile and Scrum, I'm currently thinking of getting some of these certifications. What's your advise? and how do i get a mentor? I've been working in Banking for 15 years and i'm thinking of switching careers. Your insights would be appreciated

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Certifications are suitable, but experience will always be better, in my opinion. How can you start using the underlying values and principles of Agile in your work today? Once you try things out, the certification courses become much more valuable as you can refer back to your experiences.

  • @dwmichaels
    @dwmichaels 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Enjoyed stumbling across this. I've come to the same conclusion as well. The practices and values referenced in Agile, Scrum, SAFe, etc. are not new. There are lots of conversations about changing the way we work in our modern knowledge-worker age, and they don't talk about Agile at all, but the practices and principles are similar.

  • @sandeepfiredup
    @sandeepfiredup 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great answer

  • @wizyconduccion3294
    @wizyconduccion3294 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    can a spike include a POC or real development as part of it as a proposal?

    • @GrowingScrumMasters
      @GrowingScrumMasters 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Absolutely, a spike in production quality research, so I would expect (a very small) piece of development to be a part of it.

    • @wizyconduccion3294
      @wizyconduccion3294 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@GrowingScrumMasters thx mr

  • @anagill7036
    @anagill7036 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really identify with treating books with reverence! I was literally gasping when you said take notes or tear a page of the book 😂 i was also feeling good about my 10 books a year.😅 Do you have a list of the foundational books? I started my very long list with Karim's book - the 6 enablers. Then I started a bookclub at work and got to read what other people chose and that is very interesting. Thank you very much for sharing. Loved this video.

  • @JustMeBlindFreddy
    @JustMeBlindFreddy ปีที่แล้ว

    I would say that what is far more a threat than AI is the people that develop it. If we are afraid of the takeover by AI (which should be designed NOT to be harmful) then we are afraid of something we do not understand. That comes very close to superstition and religion. The _manipulation_ of those, (by people who place themselves in power over the uncomprehending masses), is the really scary thing, IMO.

  • @nasirbhamjee7339
    @nasirbhamjee7339 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this description

  • @anahash3221
    @anahash3221 ปีที่แล้ว

    can you list the names of the books in the description box below thanks also are these books enough to start working as a scrum master??

  •  ปีที่แล้ว

    what a strange way to start a video😃. the rest was insightful though, thank you

  • @SileolaAreola
    @SileolaAreola ปีที่แล้ว

    😍 Your video has not only expanded my understanding of Scrum and Agile but has also inspired me to continue exploring and implementing these practices in my own work. Your expertise and dedication to sharing valuable content are evident, and I eagerly look forward to more enlightening videos from your channel

  • @SileolaAreola
    @SileolaAreola ปีที่แล้ว

    I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding content and insights video on Scrum and Agile methodologies. As an enthusiastic learner and practitioner of these frameworks, I was impressed by the clarity and organisation of the content. Your explanations of Scrum principles, roles, and ceremonies were presented in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. Thanks to your clear explanations

  • @axdel24
    @axdel24 ปีที่แล้ว

    I like the way you explained the role of s scrum master . It’s very clear , we do not teach them how to be better at their job

  • @Mark1Mach2
    @Mark1Mach2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very nice guidance on how to measure the success of agile.

  • @user-pg2gc5sc3s
    @user-pg2gc5sc3s ปีที่แล้ว

    I love how pragmatic your videos are. Simple, powerful content. Awesome work!

  • @davidmason7566
    @davidmason7566 ปีที่แล้ว

    Interesting, though I’ll concede i’m struggling with sprint goals. Where possible, surely a goal should be SMART, which can be hard as sprint stories often relate to different aspects of a system so tricky to provide a relevant, all-encompassing and useful goal. Where this can’t be done, struggling to see the value of a vague sprint goal (particularly for mature teams) as they’re not motivating, therefore never referred to during the sprint and seemingly it’s only value is it can be used as a ‘get out’ when the team haven’t quite delivered what was ‘committed’ to during sprint planning. Sorry for the long post, genuinely interested in this. Thanks

    • @davidmason7566
      @davidmason7566 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@GrowingScrumMasters Thanks for that, will give it a go. Yes, maybe there’s also a wider discussion to be had with the PO in backlog refinment re. story grouping, etc. Cheers 👍🏼

  • @CharityAdetiba
    @CharityAdetiba ปีที่แล้ว

    Is there a CSP-SM exam upon completion of the class?

  • @filipdimitrov7956
    @filipdimitrov7956 ปีที่แล้ว

    Would it be possible to make a video on the topic of - Specific AI chatbot prompts used by Agile professionals/Scrum Masters today?

  • @pandastory-abookseriesabou8568
    @pandastory-abookseriesabou8568 ปีที่แล้ว

    ​👍🏻 Good as always ​🍾​

  • @l_combo
    @l_combo ปีที่แล้ว

    this is great advice, love it!