"Shit Bad Scrum Masters Say"

Summary

In this lively scrum retrospective, team members address various impediments and challenges while discussing improvements for their upcoming sprint. Humor and sarcasm punctuate the dialogue as they navigate obstacles like stolen computers and inconsistent project velocity. With their CEO unexpectedly joining, the team grapples with expectations while trying to maintain productivity. Amidst chaotic comments and lighthearted banter, they commit to enhancing their workflow, showcasing the blend of camaraderie and tension in a fast-paced work environment. Ultimately, the session reflects the team's dynamics and their determination to adapt and succeed.

Takeaways

• 😀 Effective scrum practices can be hindered by unexpected challenges, such as lack of access to tools.
• 😀 Team members need to manage workload effectively and keep work in progress visible for better performance.
• 😀 The importance of maintaining open communication during retrospectives to identify and address impediments.
• 😀 Pressure from management can impact team morale and productivity, as seen with the CEO's surprise attendance.
• 😀 It's crucial to set realistic timelines for deliverables, as misestimations can lead to frustration and decreased output.
• 😀 Humor and light-hearted moments can alleviate tension in stressful team environments.
• 😀 Continuous integration is sometimes overlooked, but it remains a critical practice for successful development cycles.
• 😀 The team should strive to improve their velocity while also acknowledging the performance of competing teams.
• 😀 Regular feedback sessions can help align team expectations and project goals effectively.
• 😀 Team dynamics can be complex, requiring a balance between accountability and support among members.

Q & A

What problem does the speaker mention at the beginning of the transcript?

The speaker has a problem accessing the error database in a consistent way.

What did the speaker request the team to do for the next Sprint?

The speaker provided a list of 10 improvements for the team to address in the next Sprint.

How long did the stand-up meeting last?

The stand-up meeting lasted only 40 minutes, which the speaker noted as their fastest yet.

What does the speaker say about the estimation of a particular story?

The speaker disagreed with a team member's estimation of a story being a 13, suggesting it was more like a 2.

What was one team's concern regarding management's expectations?

One team expressed frustration that management believes they can complete their work in another Sprint.

What unexpected event occurred during the retrospective?

The CEO joined the team for the retrospective meeting as a surprise.

What was the speaker's reaction to the team's velocity compared to another team's?

The speaker mentioned that the other team's velocity was higher and encouraged their team to pick up the pace.

How did the speaker respond to a team member's issue with stolen equipment?

The speaker joked about using paper since the team member couldn't work until they received a new computer.

What did the speaker suggest about changing the Sprint duration?

The speaker suggested making the Sprint three weeks instead of two to accommodate the team's workload.

What humorous incident was mentioned towards the end of the transcript?

A team member humorously pointed out that a cat was eating a cheeseburger, questioning its healthiness.