PhxSUG Events

[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

Apr 26, 2017 |

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260   Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description: Mentoring the Agile Mindset

We've all heard about the "Agile "Mindset"; but, what does it really mean, and how do we grow that mindset within with ourselves and for others? Come and join a talk about the Agile Mindset, hear the Agile Community's response on this topic and explore ways to mentor the Mindset in yourself and others. Do you want to hear what "Agile Mindset" means to people?  Well, please complete a brief survey by clicking on this link. You'll get a brief survey on the topic of Agile Mindset, and I'll present the results at the meeting!!!

Speaker Bio:  Tara Bluford

Fresh from the Inaugural San Diego Scrum Gathering CSP Retreat, Tara is always looking for new ways and ideas to innovate and motivate Agile processes and users. She has led high-value Process Improvement initiatives in the Financial Sector, coached teams through Continuous Improvement and Transformation projects, as well performed the duties of Agile Coach and Trainer throughout her corporate career. Tara loves to train, coach, and mentor others, and is also passionate about discovering what fuels the transition into the Agile Mindset. During the day, Tara is a Scrum Master at Isagenix. At night, she is a swim mom, a dog mom, and an amateur fiction writer. On the weekends, she can be found head-down writing at Starbucks during swim practice, or at poolside during swim meets. Contact Taraat [email protected].

[South] April 20th – Agile through PM Eyes

[South] April 20th – Agile through PM Eyes

Apr 14, 2017 |

Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  Agile through PM Eyes

Let’s overlay agile/scrum concepts, tasks, and roles over the project manager (PMI) master chart of knowledge areas and process groups (phases) and see how they line up.  Where is there overlap, and where are the gaps?  Is there a need for both approaches to work together and in concert.  Come and participate in this interactive ‘game’ and share your own experiences.

Speaker Bio:  Thene Sheehy

Thene has spent 35 years in IT, with roles from COBOL programmer (back in the dark ages), to Data Analyst/Architect and JAD Facilitator (in the Information Engineering years), IT Director, Project/Program Manager, and Scrum Master.  She has led teams of data analyst/architects, DBA’s, system/software designers, project managers, developers, business analysts, and application administrators.  She was instrumental in the creation of a strategic data model for a major airline and a long distance telecom company, participated in the launch of the wireless industry, and created a strategic telemedicine technology architecture and roadmap for a healthcare system in the Midwest.  She created a computer training center and internet café business, which doubled as a computer gaming center on weekends.  Thene has worked with methodologies including structured analysis and design, information engineering, OO, iterative/spiral, and was most recently introduced to agile and scrum in 2014.  Thene loves to work with highly productive teams in energizing and creative settings to solve big problems and create lasting solutions.  She is currently with PetSmart as their Program Manager for Data/EIM/Integrations.  She and her husband have two dogs, a new house in Vistancia, and travel extensively.
[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] April 4th: Why Agile Works . . . and How to Screw it Up!!!

Mar 29, 2017 |

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description: Why Agile Works . . . and How to Screw it Up!!!

Agile practices can be the easy part of agile. It’s getting people into the agile mindset that can be a real challenge. Do you have a team member who doesn’t quite support agile or someone who’s playing along but not really committed? One step toward obtaining real commitment is a better understanding of why agile works, why it is different, and when it is the right approach. In this fast moving session, Perry Reinert provides a fun look at some of the theory that gets to the core of why agile works. Yes, we really can use the words fun and theory in the same sentence. Combining parts of the Agile Manifesto, Empirical Process Control, and Cynefin, Perry leaves you wondering how anybody can choose not to use these methods! After explaining the why, Perry connects the dots from that theory to some of the agile practices. Finally, he wraps up with a discussion of common ways to screw it all up—and how not to.

Speaker Bio:  Perry Reinert

As a CSM, CSPO, SPCT, and AHF, Perry Reinert, Ph.D brought new agile techniques and approaches to Infusionsoft development teams, and more recently to other non-development departments. A frequent speaker on agile topics at conferences, internationally, and at local events, Perry co-founded, and still runs, the Phoenix Scrum User’s Group. Perry also was one of the principal founders of the AgileArizona conference.  Perry's day job is CTO of Offerpad.  Prior to that, he worked at Infusionsoft, taught classes at Arizona State University, launched rockets at Orbital Sciences Corporation, and worked with Cisco Systems on large-scale e-learning projects. As a consultant, Perry has taught and coached agile in numerous companies as well as run development and technical organizations. Reach Perry at [email protected].

[South] March 16th – Don’t be a Backlog Lumberjack!

[South] March 16th – Don’t be a Backlog Lumberjack!

Mar 12, 2017 |

Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226   Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  Don't be a Backlog LumberJack!

As agile movement sweep across the industry many organizations and teams have started practicing different agile frameworks. As they go through these agile transformations, quite often the focus is purely on implementing the different elements of framework  and using measures like velocities, story points and burn down charts to measure the progress of the teams and forget the core purpose on why they switched to agile way of working in first place turning these teams into user story machines and their team members into backlog lumberjacks. A successful agile team is not about how many stories they can finish or how frequently they release to production but rather more about hypothesis validation and learning from the users and their behaviors. In this talk our speaker Kalpesh Shah will talk about the real essence of going agile and how not to turn your teams into backlog lumberjacks.

Speaker Bio:  Kalpesh Shah

Kalpesh Shah is a Agile Coach, Trainer, Cross Pollinator and Public Speaker. He has worked with organizations ranging from Fortune 50 companies to startups, helping them make the transition to Agile way of working, implementing Agile at Scale, employ Lean Product Development approaches and instill Lean Startup mindset. As a monk on a spiritual journey, he is also on a journey of discovering, learning and implementing different agile techniques to create happier teams which in turn create better products, his version of enlightenment! His latest passion is Culture Hacking through continuous experimentation which will promote innovative thinking, extend openness, embody rationality, and bring design thinking into teams.

[North] March 7th: Featureban – A Flow Simulation

Mar 2, 2017 |

[View Cat Swetel's Slides - CLICK HERE] Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description: Featureban: A Flow Simulation

This session features an adaptation of the Featureban game (created by Mike Burrows of AgendaShift) mixed with Socratic style discussion of Lean and Agile concepts. During the course of game play, participants will learn to manage the flow of value using an Agile taskboard, a cycle time scatter plot, and a cumulative flow diagram. Participants will also use the charts to design and measure high information value process experiments. 
In addition to being a great introduction to Lean and Agile, Featureban is Creative Commons licensed, meaning attendees may recreate and modify the game to play with their teams/colleagues. Examples of customized games and scenarios will be available after the session. 

Speaker Bio:  Catherine (Cat) Swetel

Cat Swetel is an executive consultant with experience applying lean principles in a variety of settings: from startups to large enterprises, warehouses to web, etc. She is passionate about increasing diversity in tech. In her leisure time, Cat enjoys making jokes about Bitcoin, hiking, and reading feminist literature.

[North/South] Feb 15/16 – An Insider’s Look at the new Certified Agile Leadership program from the Scrum Alliance

Feb 6, 2017 |

[View Peter Green's Slides - CLICK HERE] Where:  Wed Feb 15th, North Meeting Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Where - Thurs, Feb 16th - South Meeting IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  An Inside's Look at the new Certified Agile Leadership program from the Scrum Alliance

When the Scrum Alliance asked me to join the team building out a new Leadership certification, I had mixed emotions. First, I was excited because my personal focus, training, and experience for the last few years had been in this space, and I'd seen what a huge difference it could make. Second, I was concerned because I knew that some would interpret that program as a claim that we can teach someone how to be a great leader, and do it in three days! Of course, that's not how leadership actually works.
In this session, I'll provide an overview of what the Certified Agile Leadership Program is all about, how I've seen it benefit individuals and organizations, and how I reconciled my concerns with the Certification approach.

Speaker Bio:  Peter Green

Peter Green is a leadership development coach, agile organization researcher and consultant, and a Certified Scrum Trainer. He spent 12 years at Adobe, where he led the Agile transformation that enabled the business model shift from perpetual license, long release desktop software products to subscription, frequently released Creative Cloud products. During this time, he trained hundreds of teams in Agile approaches like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean Startup, including such flagships as Photoshop, Acrobat, and Premiere Pro, and coached at all levels of the organization. Since joining Agile For All, Peter has worked with a diverse set of clients helping them thrive in complexity – personally and organizationally.

[South] Jan 19th – Featureban: A Flow Simulation

Jan 16, 2017 |

[View Cat Swetel's Slides - CLICK HERE] Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description: Featureban: A Flow Simulation

This session features an adaptation of the Featureban game (created by Mike Burrows of AgendaShift) mixed with Socratic style discussion of Lean and Agile concepts. During the course of game play, participants will learn to manage the flow of value using an Agile taskboard, a cycle time scatter plot, and a cumulative flow diagram. Participants will also use the charts to design and measure high information value process experiments. 
In addition to being a great introduction to Lean and Agile, Featureban is Creative Commons licensed, meaning attendees may recreate and modify the game to play with their teams/colleagues. Examples of customized games and scenarios will be available after the session. 

Speaker Bio:  Catherine (Cat) Swetel

Cat Swetel is an executive consultant with experience applying lean principles in a variety of settings: from startups to large enterprises, warehouses to web, etc. She is passionate about increasing diversity in tech. In her leisure time, Cat enjoys making jokes about Bitcoin, hiking, and reading feminist literature.

[North] January 3rd – Agile through PM Eyes

Jan 2, 2017 |

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  Agile through PM Eyes

Let’s overlay agile/scrum concepts, tasks, and roles over the project manager (PMI) master chart of knowledge areas and process groups (phases) and see how they line up.  Where is there overlap, and where are the gaps?  Is there a need for both approaches to work together and in concert.  Come and participate in this interactive ‘game’ and share your own experiences.

Speaker Bio:  Thene Sheehy

Thene has spent 35 years in IT, with roles from COBOL programmer (back in the dark ages), to Data Analyst/Architect and JAD Facilitator (in the Information Engineering years), IT Director, Project/Program Manager, and Scrum Master.  She has led teams of data analyst/architects, DBA’s, system/software designers, project managers, developers, business analysts, and application administrators.  She was instrumental in the creation of a strategic data model for a major airline and a long distance telecom company, participated in the launch of the wireless industry, and created a strategic telemedicine technology architecture and roadmap for a healthcare system in the Midwest.  She created a computer training center and internet café business, which doubled as a computer gaming center on weekends.  Thene has worked with methodologies including structured analysis and design, information engineering, OO, iterative/spiral, and was most recently introduced to agile and scrum in 2014.  Thene loves to work with highly productive teams in energizing and creative settings to solve big problems and create lasting solutions.  She is currently with PetSmart as their Program Manager for Data/EIM/Integrations.  She and her husband have two dogs, a new house in Vistancia, and travel extensively.

December 14th – HOLIDAY GET TOGETHER

Dec 5, 2016 |

When:  Wednesday, Dec 14th at 6:00pm Where:  Papago Brewing As in years past, we're swapping our regular December meetings for the "Holiday Get Together" (again at Papago Brewing).  The goal of this "meeting" is simply an informal, fun, get together where we get to know each other better in a "relaxed" setting - no planned talk or agenda of any kind. Anything non-agile is fair game, and if we happen to stumble upon a topic related to Agile or the PHXSUG, that's great too 🙂 Oh, and our sponsors, Solutions IQ and IntraEdge, will spring for the first round of food and drink!! Hope to see everyone there!!! While never required for attendance, registering (clicking the registration link in the email we send to you) helps us know how much space we need. 🙂
[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] November 1st – An Introduction to Gamification – Building better teams using serious games

Oct 31, 2016 | ,

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  An Introduction to Gamification - Building better teams using serious games

We have all been there, a company introduces agile and there is great excitement. This quickly turns into "Agile" (said in your most disgusting tone!).   It might be because there isn't sufficient executive sponsorship; however, more likely the team has fallen into the Cargo Cult trap (a Cargo Cult is characterized by the ritual inclusion of something that serves no real purpose).  In this session, we will introduce the concept of serious games, the different streams of thought behind them, as well as play a few training games.  These games can often pull teams out of their "ritualistic" mode of work back into real value.

Speaker Bio:  Todd Sussman

Todd Sussman, Escape Velocity Consulting, is an agile process coach who specializes in agile and gamification. He is a Certified Scrum Master with 18 years of experience delivering solutions in various industries as a developer, architect, scrum coach and serious game facilitator. Todd helps companies realize their full potential by creating and working with learning teams to deliver innovative, disruptive solutions.
[South] March 16th – Don’t be a Backlog Lumberjack!

[South] October 27th – The Application for Lean Startup in Agile

Oct 17, 2016 | ,

Where: Coplex    (Google Map) 688 W. 1st St, Suite 2 Tempe, AZ 85281   Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description: The Application for Lean Startup in Agile

The Lean Startup provides a very big shift in the mindset of agile teams developing products today. In this presentation, Zach will cover how Coplex applies the Lean Startup methodology in their agile process. The step-by-step iterative process fits like a glove in your agile framework.

Bring your most challenging Scrum development and scaling questions and get them answered.

Speaker Bio:  Zach Ferres

I'm proud to be the CEO over at Coplex, a startup studio focused on truly collaborative product design, development and growth strategy. Coplex builds startups and digital products using lean and agile techniques. I've been in the digital marketing and startup world since getting paid to building my first website around the time of Y2K. Is that still a thing? Beyond Coplex, I really enjoy elevating, serving and connecting entrepreneurial communities around the world.
[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] October 4th – Scrum and Agile in the Real World: Let’s Talk!

Sep 28, 2016 |

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Talk 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements 

Description:   Scrum and Agile in the Real World: Let's Talk!

Scrum and Agile in the Real World might be a bit different in reality than what the books, training, or other people talk about.  In this 90 minute facilitated discussion, Michael will present a high-level overview of Scrum [in less than ten minutes] to set the context for our evening together. We will create a Product Backlog of your real world questions, issues, concerns, or comments to share with the group. We will prioritize the Product Backlog (we may or may not get to ALL of them... like in the real world!). Based on the items in the Product Backlog, we will execute a few Sprints for discussion and close up the evening with a Retrospective. Besides learning about Scrum (and other agile techniques) using Scrum as the framework for this evening, you may also walk away with new techniques for working with your real world teams in your organization.   You will leave the evening with ONE actionable item to use at work on Wednesday morning. Real life. Let's talk!

Speaker Bio:  Michael Vizdos, Managing Director – Vizdos Enterprises

Michael Vizdos is the creator of ImplementingScrum.com and travels internationally working with clients to improve delivery of products to their customers using Scrum and other Agile techniques. He is a Certified Scrum Trainer (since 2006) with over twenty-five years experience in all facets of software development and product delivery. He is active in the Entrepreneurial community and co-founded a Gangplank in Richmond, Virginia (established 2012). He co-authored a book with Scott Ambler about the Enterprise Unified Process and speaks at user groups and conferences about all of the above topics (and more!). Michael Vizdos is a long time PHXSUG supporter and speaker; if you are interested in local training or mentoring, please visit iWantScrumTraining.com and AgileMentoring.com.

[South] April 20th – Agile through PM Eyes

[South] September 15th: Scaling Professional Scrum!!

Sep 11, 2016 | ,

Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:

Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  Scaling Professional Scrum

When multiple development teams work together on the delivery of a single software product, they face unique challenges: dependencies, integration issues, and quality differentials. Even when those teams are high-performing Scrum teams, the communication pathways created for single-team Scrum just don't suffice. The Scrum framework simply wasn’t designed to support more than a single team. The Scaled Professional Scrum framework (a.k.a. the "Nexus") has been designed to handle these higher-level communication needs.

In this presentation, Richard introduces the Nexus.  He describes new roles, events, and artifacts that provide an "exoskeleton" for existing Scrum teams.  The framework enables teams to scale effectively. Even if you have evaluated or adopted other scaling frameworks and methodologies, or if you are just starting to experience the friction of software development at scale, come and be part of the conversation. Bring your most challenging Scrum development and scaling questions and get them answered. Read more about the Nexus here: http://nexusguide.org

Speaker Bio:  Richard Hundhausen

Richard Hundhausen is the president of Accentient – a company that helps software teams develop better products by leveraging ALM tools and Scrum. He is a Professional Scrum Trainer, author of the book "Professional Scrum Development with Microsoft Visual Studio" and is the co-creator of the Scaled Professional Scrum framework. As a software developer and consultant with over 30 years of experience, he understands that software is built and delivered by people and not by processes or tools.
[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] September 6th: DevOps Challenges Lean Coffee

Sep 2, 2016 | ,

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Talk 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements 

Description: DevOps Challenges Lean Coffee

Most of the time when we think of Agile we think of development teams. The most popular Agile framework, Scrum, is focused around the work of effectively creating a slice of functionality. After that functionality is Done, how it gets deployed and supported is the work of operations. Traditionally, operations is a group separate from the development teams. Deploying every iteration or even continuously requires close interaction between development and operations. DevOps is an idea for bringing development and operations closer.
In June we had a well received set of discussions around ScrumMaster challenges. We will bring that format back for this evening of discussions about DevOps Challenges. Bring your experiences and questions about DevOps to share and answer. Things like:
  • How to start lowering the wall between dev and ops.
  • When should operations get involved with development? At the end of an iteration? During planning? When?
  • What if operations is not currently able to deploy every two weeks?
  • What is the benefit of DevOps? When is the effort not worth the benefit?
Bring your own challenges as possible conversation points. We will investigate and address as many as we can. The goal is to give everyone practical ideas and tools that can be applied right away.

Speaker Bio:  Alan Dayley

After more than 25 years as a software engineer in embedded systems and enterprise, I found that the people side of creative work is where my passion lies.  I love creating moments of unusual experiences that build until changes in thinking happen.  Agile is about leveraging human capability as strengths instead of compensating for human capability as weaknesses.http://www.solutionsiq.com/author/adayley/

Speaker Bio:  Simin Kamali

Simin Kamali has over ten years of experience in Software Development in various industries, countries, and technologies following waterfall as well as Agile methodologies including, Scrum, Kanban and XP.  She is passionate about new ideas and eliminating waste in the development cycles and loves helping people to achieve their professional goals and dreams.  Currently, Simin is working as an independent SAFe trainer and consultant helping teams adopt SAFe where it makes sense and reduces complexity.
[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] August 2nd: The Four C’s: Communication, Coordination, Cooperation, Collaboration

Jul 31, 2016 |

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Talk 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements 

Description: The Four C's: Communication, Coordination, Cooperation, Collaboration

The word collaboration is seeing broad usage in companies today. It is often misapplied to conversations that consisted of three conference calls, an email and a document. Actual collaboration is hard to achieve. Agile frameworks and principles are intended to create collaboration more often. Th benefits of collaboration are far superior to the other three C-words. This meeting we will explore the definitions and contrasts between communication, coordination, cooperation and collaboration. Through exercises and discussion we will learn to recognize the differences and discuss ways of creating the collaboration we need to get great results in our teams and organizations.Speaker Bio:  Thene Sheehy

Speaker Bio:  Alan Dayley

After more than 25 years as a software engineer in embedded systems and enterprise, I found that the people side of creative work is where my passion lies. I love creating moments of unusual experiences that build until changes in thinking happen. Agile is about leveraging human capability as strengths instead of compensating for human capability as weaknesses. Contact him through [email protected] or @DayleyAgile.
[South] April 20th – Agile through PM Eyes

[South] July 21st – An introduction to gamification – Building better teams using serious games

Jul 13, 2016 | ,

Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  An introduction to gamification - Building better teams using serious games

We have all been there, a company introduces agile and there is great excitement. This quickly turns into "Agile" (said in your most disgusting tone!).   It might be because there isn't sufficient executive sponsorship; however, more likely the team has fallen into the Cargo Cult trap (a Cargo Cult is characterized by the ritual inclusion of something that serves no real purpose).  In this session, we will introduce the concept of serious games, the different streams of thought behind them, as well as play a few training games.  These games can often pull teams out of their "ritualistic" mode of work back into real value.

Speaker Bio:  Todd Sussman

Todd Sussman, Escape Velocity Consulting, is an agile process coach who specializes in agile and gamification. He is a Certified Scrum Master with 18 years of experience delivering solutions in various industries as a developer, architect, scrum coach and serious game facilitator. Todd helps companies realize their full potential by creating and working with learning teams to deliver innovative, disruptive solutions.
[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] July 5th – Evaluating one Scrum Maturity Assessment Tool – Is it for you?

Jun 29, 2016 | ,

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Panel 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements 

Description:  Conquering ScrumMaster Challenges

With various scrum maturity assessment tools available across the internet, how do you choose?  Is a more complex assessment tool more useful and more accurate than a simple personal observation approach?  Let’s review and discuss one new assessment tool from Luxsoft.  Do we agree with the questions and the scoring?  Would you take this into your own team?

Speaker Bio:  Thene Sheehy

Thene has spent 35 years in IT, with roles from COBOL programmer (back in the dark ages), to Data Analyst/Architect and JAD Facilitator (in the Information Engineering years), IT Director, Project/Program Manager, and Scrum Master.  She has led teams of data analyst/architects, DBA’s, system/software designers, project managers, developers, business analysts, and application administrators.  She was instrumental in the creation of a strategic data model for a major airline and a long distance telecom company, participated in the launch of the wireless industry, and created a strategic telemedicine technology architecture and roadmap for a healthcare system in the Midwest.  She created a computer training center and internet café business, which doubled as a computer gaming center on weekends.  Thene has worked with methodologies including structured analysis and design, information engineering, OO, iterative/spiral, and was most recently introduced to agile and scrum in 2014.  Thene loves to work with highly productive teams in energizing and creative settings to solve big problems and create lasting solutions.  Outside of work, she has created a new non-profit to support under/uninsured cancer survivors called Bra Couture AZ.  She and her husband have two dogs, a new house in Vistancia, and travel extensively.

[South] April 20th – Agile through PM Eyes

[South] 6/16 – Why Agile Works, and How to Screw it Up!!!

Jun 12, 2016 |

Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description: Why Agile Works, and How to Screw it Up!!!

Agile practices can be the easy part of agile. It’s getting people into the agile mindset that can be a real challenge. Do you have a team member who doesn’t quite support agile or someone who’s playing along but not really committed? One step toward obtaining real commitment is a better understanding of why agile works, why it is different, and when it is the right approach. In this fast moving session, Perry Reinert provides a fun look at some of the theory that gets to the core of why agile works. Yes, we really can use the words fun and theory in the same sentence. Combining parts of the Agile Manifesto, Empirical Process Control, and Cynefin, Perry leaves you wondering how anybody can choose not to use these methods! After explaining the why, Perry connects the dots from that theory to some of the agile practices. Finally, he wraps up with a discussion of common ways to screw it all up—and how not to.

Speaker Bio:  Perry Reinert

As a CSM, CSPO, SPCT, and AHF, Perry Reinert, Ph.D brought new agile techniques and approaches to Infusionsoft development teams, and more recently to other non-development departments. A frequent speaker on agile topics at conferences, internationally, and at local events, Perry co-founded, and still runs, the Phoenix Scrum User’s Group. Perry also was one of the principal founders of the AgileArizona conference.  Prior to working with Infusionsoft, Perry taught classes at Arizona State University, launched rockets at Orbital Sciences Corporation, and worked with Cisco Systems on large-scale e-learning projects. As a consultant, Perry has taught and coached agile in numerous companies as well as run development and technical organizations. Reach Perry at [email protected].

[North] May 2nd – Mentoring the Agile Mindset

[North] June 7th – Conquering ScrumMaster Challenges

Jun 5, 2016 |

Where: Axosoft (Google Map) 13835 North Northsight Boulevard #205 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Panel 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements 

Description:  Conquering ScrumMaster Challenges

ScrumMaster's fill a position unique in the business world. They are often the only person who focuses on change, constantly striving to improve the team and the organization. With this position comes many challenges. Even if you are not a ScrumMaster, understanding the challenges and some of the ways they can be tackled is valuable.
In these guided discussion and activities we will address common challenges that a ScrumMaster might face. The attendees will jointly choose the specific issues we will address. Among the choices will be:
  • Building the team with offshore or otherwise distributed members
  • Engaging the Product Owner as a member of the Scrum Team
  • Keeping meetings interesting and focused
  • Including reluctant or skeptical team members
  • Finding the balance of involvement with managers
  • Creating time for self-improvement and what that improvement might be
Bring your own challenges as possible conversation points. We will investigate and address as many as we can. The goal is to give everyone practical ideas and tools that can be applied right away.

Speaker Bio:  Alan Dayley

After more than 25 years as a software engineer in embedded systems and enterprise, I found that the people side of creative work is where my passion lies.  I love creating moments of unusual experiences that build until changes in thinking happen.  Agile is about leveraging human capability as strengths instead of compensating for human capability as weaknesses. http://www.solutionsiq.com/author/adayley/

Speaker Bio:  Simin Kamali

Simin Kamali has over ten years of experience in Software Development in various industries, countries, and technologies following waterfall as well as Agile methodologies including, Scrum, Kanban and XP.  She is passionate about new ideas and eliminating waste in the development cycles and loves helping people to achieve their professional goals and dreams.  Currently, Simin is working as an independent SAFe trainer and consultant helping teams adopt SAFe where it makes sense and reduces complexity.

[South] April 20th – Agile through PM Eyes

[South] May 19th – What Does Being Agile Mean to Me?

May 16, 2016 |

Where: IntraEdge    (Google Map) 5660 W Chandler Blvd #1 Chandler, AZ 85226 Agenda: 6:00 Registration Food and Drink 6:25 Announcements 6:30 Begin the Meeting 8:00 Closing Messages and Announcements

Description:  What Does Being Agile Mean to Me?

When I started down the “Agile” journey I read as much as I could on how to practice the Agile principles.  Brought in coaches, hired contractors and hired experienced practitioners.  All this and what I found was we are always doing it wrong……….So, in this talk, you'll here what was all wrong, why it was all wrong, and what we did for our org to be....awesome/better/less wrong"

Speaker Bio:  Ed Morabito

Ed Morabito is the Director of Engineering for a fortune 500 company.  Prior to this, he moved from Project Manager to Program Manager to Portfolio Manager to Scrum Master to what is now called a Tech PM over his 16 year career in this one company.  Ed transformed a 16 team program to a two team delivery machine in 4 years.  Ed has been an agile practitioner for close to 6 years (oh wait, all his life).  He now stands at the edge of tomorrow on the SAFe journey.