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Measure Value (not Scrum)
Scrum is not an end unto itself. It's a great tool for helping a team focus on value, but the goal isn’t to “do Scrum.” The goal is to maximize value for the customer.
Mary Iqbal
2 days ago2 min read


Train Together, Perform Better
Scrum training isn’t (just) about certification or even "learning the rules". It’s about alignment. When teams train together, they don’t just learn Scrum—they learn how to work together. And that shared understanding is often the difference between a group that simply does the work and a team that truly performs.
Mary Iqbal
5 days ago3 min read


Why we work as teams
In the Applying Professional Scrum class, which is like Scrum 101 for those who have never had formal training, one of our 'warm-up' questions in the class is to ask, "What is the value of working as a team?"
Mary Iqbal
Feb 92 min read


Limiting WIP is a Superpower
Limiting work in progress makes everything better.
Mary Iqbal
Feb 24 min read


2026 Scrum Day Conference Dates
Rebel Scrum is the host of the annual Scrum Day conference. This year's schedule has been announced.
Mary Iqbal
Jan 241 min read


Agency Matters
Scrum is designed for complex work. That kind of work can’t be reduced to checklists, scripts, or rigid instructions. It requires people who can think, experiment, apply their experience, and adapt when reality doesn’t match the plan.
In other words, Scrum requires people with agency.
Mary Iqbal
Jan 233 min read


Scrum More than Ever
The world isn’t slowing down. Technology is evolving faster than most organizations can keep up and we all know requirements are constantly changing. But we don’t need a better plan - we need better ways to learn, and we need to keep our options open. That’s why we need Scrum now more than ever. Here are five reasons Scrum is not outdated, irrelevant, or “too simple”. It’s a force multiplier. 1) A Learning Organization Scrum is designed to turn organizations into learning s
Mary Iqbal
Jan 183 min read


If a tree falls does it make a sound?
If you don’t track your work with a ticket, did it really happen?
Mary Iqbal
Jan 122 min read


When Band-Aids Live Forever
During my recent Professional Scrum Product Owner - Advanced classes, one of the class participants - Anna Rosine - made the comment that "Band-aids last forever." We were talking about technical debt and the tendency for organizations to do a quick fix, but then not come back around and, well, fix it. Band-aids are supposed to be temporary. You put one on, it does its job, and then you take it off. But in many organizations, band-aids have a funny way of sticking around fa
Mary Iqbal
Jan 53 min read


Themes from 2025
In my practice, I get the chance to talk to a lot of different individuals from many organizations. Here are some of the things that really stood out to me about 2025. 1) The Product Model One of the brightest spots of 2025 is that organizations really are beginning to adopt the Product Model — and this is where they are getting the most value. For too long, organizations have been adopting Agile but keeping a Waterfall mindset. In the misguided name of “efficiency,” they sep
Mary Iqbal
Jan 43 min read


Most Popular Content of 2025
At Rebel Scrum, we love discussing ideas and learning what works for our readers. Here ’s our list of the 10 most popular Rebel Scrum articles, by traffic, in 2025. Is there something that you would like to hear about next year? Contact us to share your article ideas. Video: Characteristics of a Great Product Owner Article: Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing for Agile teams Article: How the 12 Principles in the Agile Manifesto Work in Real Life Article: How to cr
Mary Iqbal
Jan 11 min read


New Years-Themed Retrospective
New Years is a time to pause and reflect - and that applies to Scrum teams as well. So why not plan a New Years-themed Retrospective this year?
Mary Iqbal
Dec 29, 20252 min read


Don't Gild the Lily
If we dictate too much up front, we rob Developers of the chance to improve the idea. We also rob ourselves of the opportunity to get a better outcome.
Mary Iqbal
Dec 22, 20252 min read


Great Questions for Agile Leaders to Ask
One of the most powerful tools Agile leaders have is also one of the simplest: asking great questions.
Mary Iqbal
Dec 15, 20252 min read


Agile Points Out Our Flaws — and That’s a Good Thing
One of the most powerful — and least discussed — benefits of Agile is that it exposes the problems that have been holding us back all along.
Mary Iqbal
Dec 8, 20252 min read


What happens if you don't have the Sprint Review
Scrum is built on empiricism —the idea that we learn by inspecting results and adapting based on what we discover. Each Scrum event is an opportunity for learning something - did they use the feature we delivered, or not? Did the technology work the way we expected? If not, why not? The Sprint Review is the moment when the Scrum Team and stakeholders come together to inspect the Increment and discuss what to do next. So, what happens when you skip it? You Lose a Critical F
Mary Iqbal
Dec 4, 20252 min read


Why You Should Get Your Agile Training from Rebel Scrum
When it comes to advancing your Scrum skills or preparing your organization for an agile transformation, the quality of your training matters. At Rebel Scrum , we don’t just teach Scrum—we bring it to life. Our courses are immersive, activity-driven, and delivered by an instructor with real-world experience guiding agile transformations across organizations of all sizes. Whether you’re completely new to Scrum or looking to deepen your expertise, here’s why Rebel Scrum is the
Mary Iqbal
Dec 3, 20252 min read


The Gherkin Format
The Product Backlog is the single source of requirements for a Scrum Team. While teams may represent Product Backlog items in many different ways, clarity matters — especially when translating requirements into working software. One complementary practice that many Scrum Teams use to bring clarity to expectations is writing acceptance criteria in the Gherkin format.
Mary Iqbal
Dec 2, 20253 min read


Can a Developer be on More than One Scrum Team?
I am often asked whether a Developer can support more than one Scrum Team.
Mary Iqbal
Dec 1, 20252 min read


How Many Teams per Scrum Master
The goal isn’t to maximize the number of teams per Scrum Master—it’s to maximize team performance and delivery of value. The right number is the one that ensures teams are supported, impediments are removed, and continuous improvement actually happens.
Mary Iqbal
Nov 23, 20254 min read
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