Agile in Action with Bill Raymond

Unlock the Power of Human-Centric AI for Your Business. In this episode of Agile in Action, host Bill Raymond sits down with Bill Ryan, founder and partner at Sync(d) AI, to explore how businesses can leverage AI to work smarter, not harder. Discover how AI is transforming the way small businesses operate, from creating comprehensive marketing plans in hours instead of weeks, to implementing intelligent agentic workflows that automate repetitive tasks while keeping humans in the loop. What you will learn: ✅ The human-centric approach to AI implementation that enhances rather than replaces your team ✅ How agentic AI and autonomous workflows can streamline business processes ✅ Real-world examples, including how a global bottling company uses AI to optimize inventory and reduce environmental impact ✅ Practical steps to get started with AI in your organization ✅ The importance of governance and responsible AI use Whether you're a company of 10 looking to punch above your weight or an established business ready to scale, this conversation offers actionable insights on implementing AI thoughtfully and effectively. Key Takeaway: Start small, choose one problem to solve, and build from there.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MfImeEij4XY   In this episode of the Agile and Action Podcast, Bill chats with Bhavneet Chahal, Co-founder and CEO of GoSkills, about how AI is reshaping online learning and development. Bhavneet shares how GoSkills took the bite-sized learning approach seriously way back in 2013 and why it still holds strong today. Instead of hour-long snoozefests, they focus on 3 to 5 minute lessons that come with cheat sheets, quizzes, and exercises. Bhav also explains how their platform integrates AI to help trainers build courses, generate lesson plans, and even make course titles pop. But she's quick to add that AI should assist, not replace, human quality and insight. The conversation dives into how AI isn't a threat to structured learning but actually helps enhance it. While ChatGPT and YouTube are great for quick answers, structured platforms like GoSkills offer guided learning that actually sticks. They've rolled out tools like Genie and Ask AI to boost productivity and personalize the learning experience without losing quality. Bhav shares her thoughts on how AI can help not just with content creation but also strategy, marketing, and even spotting hidden opportunities from raw data. Her hot tip for trainers and instructional designers: learn how to use AI to polish and sell your course, not just build it. What You'll Learn Why micro-learning still wins in adult education How AI can help you build and market better courses The difference between using AI for quick answers vs structured learning How GoSkills uses AI to find trends and shape future content Tips for trainers to stay competitive using AI tools in course design and promotion

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. It's the same thing with projects." — Luke Pivac In this episode of the Agile in Action Podcast, Bill Raymond chats with Luke Pivac, co-author of Learn Agile and Scrum in Two Hours. They talk about why Agile is more about mindset than rigid frameworks, the shift from traditional project management to Agile practices, and how teams adapted to remote work during the pandemic. Luke shares his personal journey into Agile, why Scrum works, and how Agile principles help teams stay resilient, especially in uncertain times. What you will learn: ✅ Why a strong Agile mindset beats just following a framework ✅ How daily standups and retrospectives can transform a team's dynamics ✅ The difference between Agile and traditional project management (hint: flexibility wins) ✅ How Agile principles help teams adapt during crises (like COVID-19) ✅ How AI can complement Agile practices (but not replace human creativity and problem-solving) Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukepivac Learn Agile and Scrum in 2 Hours: https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Agile-Scrum-Hours-Beginners/dp/0994169345  

In this Agile in Action Podcast episode, Professor Adam Boddison, CEO of the Association for Project Management (APM), discusses the evolving role of project professionals in a rapidly changing world. He emphasizes the critical importance of project professionals in delivering societal and organizational change, advocating for their broader recognition beyond technical roles to strategic leadership positions. The conversation touches on the need to redefine success in project management, the challenges posed by global talent shortages, the inclusion of agile methodologies under the project professional umbrella, and the value of stakeholder engagement, continuous learning, and benefit realization. Boddison also makes a case for integrating project management as a core component of leadership training and suggests that roles like Chief Operating Officer may need to evolve into Chief Project or Transformation Officers to better align with today's change-driven business landscape. What You Will Learn: The strategic role of project professionals: Why project professionals are more than just process experts—they are essential to executing organizational strategy and managing change effectively across sectors. The need to redefine project success: How modern project management requires focus on benefits realization and adaptability, rather than strict adherence to initial plans. Bridging the project profession and the C-suite: Why project management deserves a seat at the executive table and how roles like COO may need to evolve to reflect a greater emphasis on transformation. Building project capability and maturity: The importance of upskilling both intentional and "accidental" project professionals and using lessons learned to inform future projects. Relevant URLs: Association for Project Management (APM): https://www.apm.org.uk Agile in Action Podcast: https://agileinaction.com Adam Boddison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamboddison

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/yBw6bnP8YV0   Today, we are honored to have Captain Jon Haase on the podcast. Captain Jon Haase is a Navy Program Manager at the Navy Expeditionary Missions Program Office (or PMS 408) in NAVSEA and actively promotes AI readiness and innovation within the defense sector. In this episode, host Bill Raymond and Captain Jon Haase explore integrating AI and Agile methodologies to tackle the unique challenges in highly regulated federal government environments. They share real-world applications, touching on the latest trends in defense robotics and how AI  technologies, field testing, and agility improve mission success rates.   In this podcast, you will learn the following:   ✅ How AI can enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency   ✅ The impact of Agile methodologies in defense robotics projects   ✅ Navigating the challenges of working in regulated government environments   🎉 How combining AI and Agile drives innovation in military robotics

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/XUv3SHoXgK0   Bill Raymond chats with Vazgen Tadevosyan and Edik Baghdasaryan about their bold move from running a consulting firm to developing their gaming product. This episode is a masterclass in navigating significant business shifts without losing focus. Vazgen and Edik dive deep into their journey, sharing the lessons learned from balancing consulting services with product development. From overcoming technical challenges to keeping their team motivated, they provide actionable insights for anyone considering a similar pivot or looking to succeed in a highly competitive industry. ✅ Discover the challenges of scaling and the importance of domain-specific expertise ✅ Learn how to maintain client trust while pivoting your business ✅ Hear how they tackled team dynamics and flexibility during their transition 🎉 Get inspired by their passion for gaming and how it fueled their new venture

🎥 Watch Now:    🌪️ Living with complexity and an exploration of the Cynefin framework Douglas Squirrel, author of Agile Conversations, joins Bill Raymond on the Agile in Action podcast. Douglas discusses the misconceptions around agility in tech teams and the importance of experimentation in complex environments. Bill and Douglas discuss the benefits of rapid experimentation, handling complexity and chaos, and avoiding common pitfalls in software development. In this podcast, you will learn the following: ✅ The Cynefin framework for managing complexity ✅ The importance of experimentation in software teams ✅ How to avoid common development pitfalls 🎉 Strategies to make tech teams more profitable

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/N9u-dsvOhSU Are you feeling trapped because your product is not delivering value? Guest David Pereira shares how to untrap your team by prioritizing customer needs and behaviors over backlog grooming, focusing on adding value. David and Bill will equip you with practical, actionable tips and strategies. You'll learn how to measure the value delivered by a product or feature and why having honest conversations with customers is crucial to gaining a deeper understanding of their needs. Untrapping your product teams and creating products that deliver value will become a tangible goal. In this podcast, you will learn: ✅ How to understand customer needs and behaviors   ✅ Strategies for prioritizing features   ✅ The importance of incremental change over perfection   🚀 Untrap your product teams to re-focus on value   For this podcast's transcript, to reach David, and much more, visit the Agile in Action website:   https://agileinaction.com

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gw4zl-cYiao   🤔 Running an AI project? Be prepared to think a little differently.   Bill Raymond interviews Paolo Sammicheli, author of Scrum in AI. They discuss the unique differences between typical software development and AI product teams. Paolo shares insights on building AI models, the importance of diverse skills in AI teams, challenges in data preparation, the role of product ownership in AI projects, and using Scrum patterns for scaling effectively.   In this podcast, you will learn the following: ✅ The difference between software and AI teams   ✅ The importance of subject matter expertise in AI teams   ✅ The cross-functional nature of AI teams   🎉 How to effectively scale and manage Scrum AI teams   To contact Paolo, access transcripts, and much more, visit:  https://agileinaction.com/agile-in-action-podcast/2024/04/30/scaling-ai-product-teams.html

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FoTL1KKyRws Gil Broza shares how Non-software teams can use agile principles to transform how they deliver customer value. In this podcast, you will learn the following: ✅ How Agile principles apply to non-software teams ✅ Common challenges and solutions for implementing Agile outside of tech ✅ Strategies for fostering an Agile mindset in any team 🎉 The transformative power of Agile for team dynamics and project management Use the following link to receive a free chapter of Gil's book, contact Gil, read the transcription, and much more: https://agileinaction.com/agile-in-action-podcast/2024/04/16/can-agile-transform-non-software-teams-too.html

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pQk7wUP4k-U Today, Anton Skornyakov, Certified Scrum Trainer, co-founder, and managing director of Agile.coach, will help you navigate the complexities of delivering value in your projects, regardless of the industry. In this episode, Anton and Bill Raymond dive into the art of slicing work into manageable pieces to deliver immediate value. Drawing from diverse examples like software development, house renovation, and public housing projects, we explore how agile principles can be applied in various contexts to enhance adaptability, risk management, and prioritization. In this podcast, you will learn the following: ✅ The importance of breaking down work into smaller, value-delivering pieces. ✅ Strategies for prioritizing tasks to address risks and uncertainties. 🎉 How to apply agile `principles beyond software development to achieve continuous improvement. 🍕 Slice up your project to deliver more value! 🎯 Today, Anton Skornyakov, Certified Scrum Trainer, co-founder, and managing director of Agile.coach, will help you navigate the complexities of delivering value in your projects, regardless of the industry. In this episode, Anton and Bill Raymond dive into the art of slicing work into manageable pieces to deliver immediate value. Drawing from diverse examples like software development, house renovation, and public housing projects, we explore how agile principles can be applied in various contexts to enhance adaptability, risk management, and prioritization. In this podcast, you will learn the following: ✅ The importance of breaking down work into smaller, value-delivering pieces. ✅ Strategies for prioritizing tasks to address risks and uncertainties. 🎉 How to apply agile `principles beyond software development to achieve continuous improvement.

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WZZ7xCR-g0I Today, Paulo Caroli, an author, speaker, and advisor at Thoughtworks, shares the transformative power of retrospectives in fostering continuous improvement within agile teams. Learn how retrospectives are the cornerstone for continuous improvement, enabling teams to reflect, learn, and grow. 🌱 In this podcast, you will learn: ✅ The role of retrospectives in identifying and addressing team issues ✅ How to design and structure great retrospectives 🚀 Practical strategies for improving team morale and collaboration through retrospectives

🎥 Watch now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eAViv1Q873Q   With James Murphy, Founder of Afterburner and Managing Partner at Afterburner Capital   🎙️ How can fighter pilot strategies change the way we deliver success?   In today's podcast, James Murphy, a former fighter pilot turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from the cockpit to the boardroom. Discover how the concept of debriefs, derived from the military and part of Flawless Execution, transforms businesses to increase value. Murph shares the critical role of debriefs in achieving success, emphasizing its power as a tool for continuous improvement and strategic alignment. Through real-world stories, Murph and Bill share how debriefs foster a culture of truth, accountability, and growth.  In this podcast, you will learn the following: 🎉 The importance of a nameless, rankless debrief that uncovers the truth and drives team performance   🏆 How debriefs turned around the Giants (a U.S. football team) to win the Super Bowl   ✅ The significance of debriefing in avoiding task saturation and enhancing team performance   ✅ How debriefs can facilitate adaptive learning, enabling teams to pivot and improve strategies based on real-world outcomes quickly  

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YZLtetknfK4   🚀 The human still decides, while the AI provides Aaron Upright, Co-founder and Head of Marketing at ZenHub, shares how ZenHub is adding innovative AI solutions into their product to promote development team efficiency. Bill and Aaron share real-world examples of how AI can complement teams, how to prioritize AI projects, and the importance of customer feedback and testing. In this podcast, you will learn the following: ✅ The transformative role of AI in enhancing agile team efficiency ✅ Strategies for seamless workflow management in software development teams ✅ Innovations in sprint planning and reviews through AI integration 🎉 Upholding values and ethics in AI implementation for project management  

🔮 Future-proof skills by Blending tech fluency with business strategy Sophia Matveeva, CEO of Tech for Non-Techies, shares the importance of business leaders learning to speak tech to succeed in this Digital Age. Sophia emphasizes the need for a collaborative ecosystem where tech and business fluently interact, enhancing product development and driving business outcomes. Here is what you will learn: ✅ Bridging the gap between technical and non-technical professionals ✅ Why modern education systems must evolve to meet the demands of the digital age ✅ The impact of AI and other technological disruptions on job markets and how they pave the way for new skills and opportunities 🎉 Next steps you can take to begin learning how to work with technical teams Watch this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u5Ghsi6r9Uc

⏫ Making the shift from an individual contributor to a leader In today's podcast, Luke Pivac, Delivery Lead at Westpac and author of An Agile Playbook for Technical Communicators, joins the podcast. Luke shares valuable lessons that will help new or aspiring leaders transition from a role as an individual agile team contributor. Luke and Bill share stories and advice that will resonate with you to grow and improve your leadership skills. If you are a leader hiring or promoting team members, you will find this conversation invaluable to provide a successful transition for that new role! ✅ Working above the waterline to emphasize the importance of strategic thinking and leadership in Agile environments ✅ Bridging communication gaps by translating complex technical solutions into business impacts ✅  Adapting to unexpected changes while maintaining agile values 🎉 Advice for Aspiring Agile Leaders stepping into new leadership  🌎 View the transcript, Luke's contact information, and more on the Agile in Action website https://agileinaction.com/agile-in-action-podcast/2024/01/23/career-progression-working-above-the-waterline.html Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation 01:41 Understanding Agile: Luke's Perspective 03:55 Luke's Journey from Technical Writer to Scrum Master 05:48 Concept of Working Above the Waterline 08:31 Bridging the Gap: Communicating with Leadership 12:30 The Consultant Experience: A Different Perspective 17:58 Adapting to Change: The Agile Way 24:44 Advice for New Leaders in Agile Environments 29:28 Conclusion and Contact Information  

🌱 Cultivate success by leading with dignity with your internship programs. Robert Khoury, CEO of Agile Rainmakers, discusses his new book, "Internship Management: Principles for Designing an Exceptional Internship." In this podcast, you will learn the following: ✅ The nine principles to creating a great internship program ✅ How to foster a positive, enriching environment for continuous learning and growth ✅ The importance of 'dignity' in internships for a respectful and growth-centric experience. 🎉 Real-world examples to help you build a world-class internship program

🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4ObSAa2jREM About this episode Jack Skeels, founder of AgencyAgile, shares valuable insights on agile leadership in the Agile in Action with Bill Raymond Podcast. Jack discusses the transformative power of teams and productivity through the lens of his new book, "Unmanaged." Bill Raymond and Jack discuss the hidden costs of management and how a manager can focus their role on growth and empowering teams. In today's podcast, you will learn: ✅ How to embrace "Unmanagement," redefine traditional management, and boost team autonomy and creativity ✅ The cost of management by recognizing how over-management can hinder productivity ✅ How you can empower teams by encouraging self-management for better problem-solving and efficiency 🎉 Communication methods to prevent misunderstandings and project delays

🤿 Dive into the waterfall, return to sure with 💨 agility We are thrilled to have David Abodunrin, Agile Coach and Scrum Master, discuss his transition from waterfall to agility on today's podcast. David and Bill share stories based on their experience to explore the inherent challenges and rewards in shifting from predictive, waterfall project management to adaptive agile approaches. This podcast is an important listen if you embark on a similar journey. Here's what you will learn: ✅ The challenges one faces while transitioning from Waterfall to Agile ✅ The factors that distinguish a scrum master from a project manager ✅ Understand the concept of "team wisdom" and its significance in Agile 🎉 Learn how effective agility can lead to better outcomes, faster delivery, and improved team dynamics