Mini-Myth - Velocity = Productivity = Great TeamJörgen Karlsson, May 27, 2025 | EnglishOnce upon a sprint, two teams delivered. Team Alpha boasted a burndown chart as sharp as a cliff—ten user stories, neatly packaged and pushed to production… Read moreDo We Need a Great Product Owner—Or Just a Great Team?Jörgen Karlsson, May 13, 2025 | EnglishIn past articles, we’ve questioned the sacred role of the Product Owner. We’ve asked whether AI could replace parts of the role, and explored how roadmaps… Read moreWho’s Really Challenging Whom?Jörgen Karlsson, Apr 30, 2025 | EnglishIt might sound like a joke: A Scrum Master, a Team Coach, and an Agile Coach walk into a café. Who does what – and who’s supposed to challenge whom… Read moreMyth: Managers Can Never Attend RetrospectivesJörgen Karlsson, Apr 16, 2025 | EnglishManagers can never attend retrospectives. That’s the mantra, right? You’ll find it in Agile forums, whispered in coaching corners, even baked into… Read moreThe Elephant and the Roadmap: How to Make Agile Planning Practical and RealJörgen Karlsson, Apr 9, 2025 | EnglishIf the elephant’s vision is to swim in the water far away, the roadmap is the map through the jungle. It doesn't show every detail, but it gives direction… Read moreMistake #9: Overcomplicating Operational Execution and Process ManagementJörgen Karlsson, Apr 2, 2025 | EnglishThe dashboard was beautiful. Bursting with color-coded burndown charts, capacity bars, cumulative flow diagrams, and digital post-its in a dozen columns… Read moreBeyond Agile: The Future of Work and Empowered TeamsJörgen Karlsson, Mar 11, 2025 | EnglishAgile changed how organizations work. It emphasized self-organizing teams, iterative development, and adaptive planning—ideas that helped businesses… Read moreMyth: Agile Means We Cannot Have Long-Term PlansJörgen Karlsson, Feb 19, 2025 | EnglishHow do you create a long-term roadmap when priorities change every sprint? Many teams struggle to balance strategic direction with Agile flexibility… Read moreMistake #8: Stuck in the Hero OrganizationJörgen Karlsson, Feb 12, 2025 | EnglishIn the corridors of a large tech company, tension hung heavy in the air. Delivery time was closing in fast. "When we launch the car, it must be perfect… Read moreIntegrate or Stagnate: Why CI/CD Is Essential for Software, Hardware, and MoreJörgen Karlsson, Feb 4, 2025 | EnglishIn today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving world, speed and adaptability are not just advantages—they are survival skills. Yet, many organizations still… Read more5 Actionable Steps to Align Agile TeamsJörgen Karlsson, Jan 28, 2025 | EnglishMisaligned teams are like rowing a boat in different directions—plenty of effort, but no progress. But alignment doesn’t have to be elusive; it just… Read moreMistake #7: Clinging to Old Habits – The Anchor Holding Your Transformation BackJörgen Karlsson, Jan 22, 2025 | EnglishPicture this: A cutting-edge racing sailboat, equipped with the latest carbon-fiber sails, state-of-the-art navigation systems, and a world-class crew… Read moreThe Culture You Tolerate: How Leaders Shape Organizational NormsJörgen Karlsson, Jan 14, 2025 | English , SvenskaCulture isn’t what you say—it’s what you do, what you allow, and what you ignore. As leaders, we might think culture is defined by vision statements… Read more2025 - The Year Agile Dies?Jörgen Karlsson, Jan 7, 2025 | EnglishAs we step into 2025, a provocative question looms large in the Agile community: Is Agile dying? Once celebrated as a revolutionary way of working… Read moreScrum or Kanban? Choosing the Right Path for Your TeamJörgen Karlsson, Dec 17, 2024 | EnglishVery often I hear teams struggling with what agile method to choose—and perhaps even more so managers and stakeholders to the teams. So, is there a… Read moreMistake #6: The Illusion of EmpowermentJörgen Karlsson, Dec 10, 2024 | EnglishImagine a Formula 1 race where the driver controls the car but must seek approval from the pit crew before every gear shift. Despite having the best… Read moreDeliver Features, Not Stories: Value Beats Productivity Every TimeJörgen Karlsson, Dec 3, 2024 | EnglishImagine this: Your team just completed a sprint—15 stories delivered, velocity through the roof. But in the sprint review, stakeholders ask the one… Read moreDo Waterfall Projects Still Have a Place in Agile Organizations?Jörgen Karlsson, Nov 26, 2024 | EnglishIn the age of Agile, the traditional waterfall project approach may seem like a relic of the past. Many Agile coaches are quick to dismiss it, and… Read moreStaying in the Zone: From Self-Management to Organizational ExcellenceJörgen Karlsson, Nov 20, 2024 | EnglishHave you ever left work with a longer to-do list than when you arrived? Ever felt your critical tasks slipping through the cracks, or needed evenings… Read moreMistake #5: Why Failing to Organize Around Value Derails Agile TransformationJörgen Karlsson, Nov 13, 2024 | EnglishThe decision was made: the company would go Agile. The entire organization was set for an overhaul. Top managers were ecstatic about the prospect of… Read moreAre you willing to let go of control to achieve true business agility?Jörgen Karlsson, Nov 5, 2024 | EnglishSAFe recently released updates, refining guidance on Portfolio Leadership and Business Value. These updates are valuable, offering practical tips for… Read moreUnlocking Self-Coaching with AI: How the Tool Guided Me Through a Business ChallengeJörgen Karlsson, Oct 28, 2024 | EnglishIn an age of rapid change, mastering self-leadership and self-management has become essential. It is an essential skill for any leader. One of the… Read moreWhat’s Beyond Agile? Exploring the Next Evolution of OrganizationsJörgen Karlsson, Oct 22, 2024 | EnglishAgile methodologies have completely changed the way we work, especially in fast-paced industries like software development, marketing, and product… Read moreMistake #4: Adopting a Big Bang – Quick Fix ApproachJörgen Karlsson, Oct 15, 2024 | EnglishBefore the COVID pandemic, a company, well-known in its field but not a market leader, embarked on an ambitious Agile transformation. The CTO, eager… Read moreUnlocking the Role: Nine Critical, Overlooked Competencies for Every Scrum MasterJörgen Karlsson, Oct 8, 2024 | EnglishIn today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving business world, are we truly recognizing the depth of skills a Scrum Master needs to succeed? It’s tempting to… Read moreDo We Really Need a Product Owner, or Can They Be Replaced by AI?Jörgen Karlsson, Oct 2, 2024 | EnglishThe Product Owner (PO), or "Value Maximizer" as I prefer to call them, has long been considered indispensable in Agile frameworks. They bridge the… Read moreMistake #3: Inability to Transform Organizational Culture – A Core Obstacle in Agile TransformationsJörgen Karlsson, Sep 25, 2024 | EnglishIn a mid-sized tech company, the CEO enthusiastically declared, “We’re going Agile!” Teams swiftly adopted new tools, rituals, and frameworks, and… Read moreBeyond Agile Teams: How Business Agility Future-Proofs Your OrganizationJörgen Karlsson, Sep 18, 2024 | EnglishIn one organization I worked with, the goal of the transformation suddenly shifted to "We must start 100 agile teams." My response was blunt: "If we… Read moreAgile Is Not Dead—It’s Evolving: The Future Beyond AgileJörgen Karlsson, Sep 10, 2024 | EnglishThe question of whether Agile is dead continues to ignite debate. Some critics point to studies claiming a 268% higher failure rate for Agile projects… Read moreMistake #2: Alienated Leadership – The Silent Killer of Agile TransformationsJörgen Karlsson, Sep 3, 2024 | EnglishImagine two worlds within the same organization. In one, leaders actively champion Agile transformation, embodying its principles, inspiring their… Read moreFive Things Great Leaders Ask Themselves. Daily.Agiletto AB, Aug 27, 2024 | EnglishLeadership isn't just about guiding a team or setting a vision. It's about constantly challenging your assumptions and asking yourself: Am I truly… Read moreIs the Scrum Master Role Obsolete?Jörgen Karlsson, Aug 22, 2024 | EnglishThe role of the Scrum Master is often misunderstood and undervalued in many organizations adopting Agile. Many mistakenly view the Scrum Master as… Read moreWhat to Do When Your Team Says They Do Not Need a Daily StandupJörgen Karlsson, Aug 20, 2024 | EnglishIntroduction "Why are we even having these meetings?" Paula asked, addressing the elephant in the room. Some team members stared down at the floor… Read moreMistake #1: No Vision, No Victory – The Root Cause of Agile Transformation FailureJörgen Karlsson, Aug 12, 2024 | EnglishIn the bustling corridors of an unnamed company within the automotive industry, the mood had shifted from vibrant innovation to palpable uncertainty… Read moreMost Agile Transformations Fail: 12 Common Mistakes RevealedJörgen Karlsson, Jul 23, 2024 | EnglishIn the dynamic world of organizational change, the journey toward Agile transformation emerges as both a beacon of hope and a realm brimming with complexities… Read more9 Daily Stand-Up Myths Busted: Transform Your Agile MeetingsJörgen Karlsson, Jul 16, 2024 | EnglishThe daily stand-up, also known as the daily huddle or Scrum meeting, is a cornerstone of agile practices. Despite its simplicity, this brief daily… Read moreTop 5 Must-Read Books for Continuous Learning in Agile 2024Jörgen Karlsson, Jul 2, 2024 | EnglishWhether relaxing in a hammock, lounging by the pool, or taking a break from work, summer is the perfect time to dive into some transformative reads… Read moreThe Subtle Art of Leading by Example—Even When No One is WatchingJörgen Karlsson, Jun 25, 2024 | EnglishThe subtle yet powerful art of leading by example, especially when no one is watching, is key in agile leadership. It extends beyond influencing people… Read moreHow to structure your product backlog – for any team or organizationJörgen Karlsson, Jun 11, 2024 | EnglishHave you ever been confused about the best way to write a product backlog item? Have you found that stories may not always be enough, and just grouping… Read moreFrom Good to Great: How Centers of Excellence Propel Agile SuccessJörgen Karlsson, Jun 11, 2024 | EnglishIn today’s hyper-competitive and rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations must continuously innovate and adapt to stay ahead. At the heart… Read moreBeyond Scrum: Is it Time to Remove the Product Owner Role?Jörgen Karlsson, May 31, 2024 | EnglishThe Product Owner is one of the most misunderstood roles in Scrum or other agile methodologies. Is the solution to remove the role entirely? That is… Read moreThe Fatal Flaw in Your Agile Strategy – Why Organizing around Products Isn’t the AnswerJörgen Karlsson, Feb 18, 2024 | EnglishIn recent years, there has been a significant shift from project-based to product-based organizational structures. This movement has gained momentum… Read moreSAFe® in five minutes: A Toolbox for Continuous Learning and ImprovementJörgen Karlsson, Jan 26, 2024 | EnglishImagine your organization moving with the grace of a well-rehearsed dance, each step in perfect sync with the changing tempo of market demands. This… Read moreThe Power of Collaborative Decision-Making: Implementing the Advice Process in Teal OrganizationsJörgen Karlsson, Nov 13, 2023 | EnglishDo you find yourself frustrated with traditional decision-making processes? Are you tired of the top-down approach that stifles creativity and innovation… Read moreFive Things You Need to Know About Teal: The Future of Organizational DevelopmentJörgen Karlsson, Sep 21, 2023 | EnglishPhoto: © whyframeshot / Adobe Stock If you're like most people in the agile community, you've been hearing a lot about Teal lately. But what is Teal… Read moreWhy Starting with Yourself is the Secret to Achieving Lasting Organizational TransformationJörgen Karlsson, Jan 31, 2023 | EnglishUnlock the secret to sustainable organizational transformation with the “Conscious Transformation” approach. This method prioritizes personal growth… Read more