Focus on Learning, Context and Empowerment

Why learning is so important? The biggest waste in software development: building the wrong thing! Marty Cagan was right: half of the time or 50% the product manager is wrong with his ideas. It’s not about keeping everybody busy, it’s learning what’s the right thing. Focus your attention on that. The Proven Learning Process Learning … More Focus on Learning, Context and Empowerment

Using Gherkin for Writing Better User Stories and Splitting

Inspired by #NoEstimation movement I’d like to share my ideas of story splitting as there are plenty of ways how to do so. A common understanding Teams struggle sometimes in getting a common understanding of what to do to create software and to contribute to a specific outcome. Usually the Product Owner is assigned to … More Using Gherkin for Writing Better User Stories and Splitting

Be a good example. Treat others like you’d like to be treated. Be kind.

This week I’ve read a post from Vala Afshar that remind me again of good behaviors for a culture change: how can I help? what do you think? your work matters I trust you and our team I appreciate your commitment thank you for working hard I was wrong, I am sorry your career path is … More Be a good example. Treat others like you’d like to be treated. Be kind.

2nd Product Owner Camp 2017 – Summary, Overview & Impressions #POCamp

Two days Product Owner Camp in Frankfurt @DB_Skydeck sponsored by @DBSystel – and I was really happy to participate and contribute this time. The #POCamp (official Twitter tag) was held as a typical barcamp in an open format. Keynote with Klaus Leopold The keynote was done remotely by Klaus Leopold about “Business Matters” – too … More 2nd Product Owner Camp 2017 – Summary, Overview & Impressions #POCamp

Change Your Focus and Ask The Right Questions – Impact!

Successful companies have mastered and learned to focus on execution to run their business. But focussing on execution could be a trap, because there might be better ways to solve their customers’ problems, especially when it comes to disruption and disruptive technologies. In theory you want to disrupt yourself before someone else is disrupts you. … More Change Your Focus and Ask The Right Questions – Impact!

Creative Culture

Chef vs Cook A chef is expected to try lot of new things and come up with creative new dishes. Cooks are expected to make a dish efficiently with a little variation. But rather than focussing on business operations, you’ll need to constantly come up with new recipes. This is why creative environements and culture … More Creative Culture

Ask the right questions – even when “there is no right answer”

As a product owner I’m often being involved in discussions about building and doing it finally right. But what is right? What is the common understanding in doing it right? It depends on so many dimensions the counterparts are demanding and the finding about doing it right in building software is simple: There is no … More Ask the right questions – even when “there is no right answer”

Optimist vs Pessimist

Expertise is developed through hours of deliberate practise. One dimension is a challenging goal which relies on your nature of motivations. Who are you? Optimist Pessimist take more risks are more vigilant explore more options more detail oriented try something new? “Yes!” try something new? “Is it safe?” “can do” attitude failure is not an … More Optimist vs Pessimist

Lean Principles

  Thursday morning notes while reading the lean mindset by Mary and Tom Poppendieck: Focus on optimze the whole > focus on eliminating waste Focus on potential customers > focus on adding features for today’s customers Focus on experimentation > focus on predictability Focus on impact > focus on productivity Focus on resiliency of decentralization > … More Lean Principles