Balancing Engineering Excellence and Agile
Explores how to balance engineering excellence and effective Agile processes, highlighting the need for technical skills, continuous improvement, and …
Applying practical, experience-based problem-solving in complex environments.

Pragmatic Thinking is the application of practical, experience-based problem-solving in complex environments, enabling teams to navigate challenges effectively. This approach prioritises actionable insights over theoretical constructs, fostering a mindset that values real-world applicability. By focusing on what works in practice, teams can adapt their strategies to deliver value predictably and sustainably.
This concept is crucial in environments characterised by uncertainty and rapid change, as it encourages a culture of experimentation and learning. Teams employing Pragmatic Thinking are better equipped to identify and implement solutions that resonate with their specific context, rather than relying solely on prescribed methodologies. This adaptability not only enhances responsiveness to customer needs but also promotes resilience in the face of evolving market dynamics.
Pragmatic Thinking supports long-term systemic improvements by embedding a continuous learning ethos within the organisation. It empowers teams to reflect on their experiences, iterate on their processes, and refine their approaches, ultimately leading to enhanced performance and value delivery. By integrating this mindset into daily practices, organisations can cultivate a robust framework for sustained innovation and effective problem-solving, ensuring they remain competitive and relevant in their respective fields.
Explores how to balance engineering excellence and effective Agile processes, highlighting the need for technical skills, continuous improvement, and …
Explores how automation in software development reduces human error, improves reliability, and streamlines workflows, using real-world examples and …
A great agile consulting outcome enables organisations to adapt quickly to change, fostering resilience, decentralised decision-making, and empowered, …
Explores the distinct roles of human and AI agency in adaptive systems, emphasising human-led strategy and accountability versus AI-driven tactical …
Discover how using a Minecraft-based case study enhances Agile training by boosting engagement, illustrating complexity, and improving team …
Explains the key accountabilities, skills, and behaviours required for a Scrum Product Owner, including hiring trends, role requirements, and …
Learn how structured learning in product development boosts user value, reduces waste, fosters collaboration, and encourages creativity through …
Current Value is one of the four key value areas of Evidence‑Based Management. Rather than being a single measure, it comprises a group of indicators …
Explains how Kanban can be integrated with Scrum to improve workflow visibility, provide key metrics, and enable continuous improvement in agile …
Explains how a well-ordered, refined Product Backlog guides Agile teams, supports goal alignment, and ensures value-driven product development through …
Learn how to align teams, stakeholders, and processes for effective agile product management by fostering shared goals, clear communication, and …
Rookie agile consultants often mistake strict adherence to frameworks like Scrum for success, overlooking the need for context, team buy-in, and …
Explains how Product Owners can replace traditional project management with vision, value, and validation to guide teams, deliver real value, and …
Explains how to configure MSTest for automated testing of web services on Team Foundation Build Services 2010, including handling dynamic server ports …
Explores the shift from traditional to immersive Agile learning, highlighting how ongoing, real-world practice and reflection improve knowledge …
Immersive learning enables on-the-job coaching by combining real-world assignments, collaborative feedback, and practical application for deeper, …
Explores why focusing solely on contracts can miss client needs, and how flexible, value-driven consulting builds stronger relationships and delivers …
Explores why organisational responsiveness and real-time decision-making are crucial for staying competitive, highlighting the risks of outdated …
Explains how to actively manage Kanban workflows by monitoring work in progress, resolving bottlenecks, and optimising flow for greater efficiency and …
Explains why agile teams need a clear understanding of product vision and strategic goals to boost alignment, ownership, decision-making, and …
Explores how relying on story points and velocity can harm Agile teams, advocating for objective metrics like cycle time and throughput to boost …
Explains the benefits of Visual Studio ALM over alternatives like Git and Jenkins, detailing its comprehensive features for managing the entire …
Step-by-step guide to migrating source code from Perforce to Git on VSO, covering repository setup, dependency management, build processes, and key …
Explores the challenges and benefits of self-organising teams, highlighting key factors like team accountability, identity, size, and consistency for …
Explores how virtual labs help development and operations teams manage, test, and automate complex modern application environments using …
Explains why preserving complete historical data and accurate dates is often incompatible with data migration, especially for compliance and …
Explains why adopting Scrum is challenging and disruptive, highlighting the need for training, mentoring, and dedication for successful organisational …
Tagging build servers in TFS helps manage dependencies, assign builds to suitable agents, and streamline workflows across teams and regions for …
Learn how to improve Kanban workflows by identifying blockages, reducing waiting times, and making continuous changes to boost efficiency and value …
Explores how unchecked pride can harm Agile teams, stressing data-driven decisions, learning from failure, and balancing confidence with humility for …
Learn practical strategies to boost stakeholder attendance and engagement in Sprint reviews, encouraging valuable feedback and stronger collaboration …
Explains how resource efficiency focuses on maximising individual output, while flow efficiency optimises the entire workflow for better value …
Explains how to resolve TFS build errors caused by missing write permissions for the Project Collection Build Service on orchestration plans, …
Explains how mismatched component versions in licences.licx files can cause build errors on TFS servers, and offers solutions for consistent automated …
Explores how rigid, judgmental Agile practices stifle creativity and innovation, and advocates for principle-driven, adaptable approaches to foster …
Explains how to configure multiple Dynamics AX instances to sync with a single TFS 2010 Team Project, streamlining source control and work item …
Explains how visualising work in Kanban boosts team clarity, transparency, and alignment, and offers steps to define workflows, avoid misalignment, …
Explores why burndown charts can limit Agile teams, highlighting the drawbacks of fixed planning and advocating for adaptability, empirical work, and …
Explains the assessment phase in consulting, highlighting continuous learning, agile adaptation, and the value of hands-on engagement over rigid …
Explains how to build a TFS Integration Platform Work Item Tracking (WIT) adapter for a source system without history, covering versioning, field …
Discover how Russell’s extensive product development experience and practical teaching approach make his PSPO course ideal for mastering Product …
Immersion programmes extend learning beyond the classroom, combining real-world practice, retrospectives, and expert guidance for deeper, more …
Learn how to automate code synchronisation between VSTS/TFS and GitHub, enabling seamless DevOps workflows for open-source projects with flexible …
Explains how to reserve a build agent in Team Foundation Server 2012 using custom activities, agent tagging, and workflow changes to ensure reliable, …
Step-by-step guide to upgrading TFS 2010 to TFS 2012, migrating VSS data, consolidating process templates, and resolving common issues during team …
Step-by-step guide to upgrading TFS 2008 and WSS v3.0 with SfTSv2 to TFS 2010 and SharePoint 2010, including process template migration and data …
Explains how evidence-based management uses data-driven decisions and tailored metrics to boost business value, leadership effectiveness, and …
Explores why Scrum shifted from "commitment" to "forecasting" work delivery, highlighting the risks of overpromising and the benefits of transparency …
Explores common pitfalls in early Scrum adoption, highlighting why full team involvement in sprint planning is crucial and lessons learned from a …
Explains Product Discovery in product development, its role in setting strategy, uncovering opportunities, and aligning teams to build valuable, …
Explores how businesses and individuals can achieve success by embracing continuous adaptation, flexibility, and principle-based decision-making in …
Training people worldwide reveals that organisations face similar challenges when adopting agile and scrum, highlighting the universal nature of …
Explains when to use Areas versus Team Projects in TFS 2010, comparing benefits, drawbacks, and best practices for managing multiple projects and …
Learn key strategies and expert advice for migrating to Azure DevOps, including handling database complexities, validation, and when to seek external …
Learn about Azure DevOps migration, including common scenarios, challenges, solutions, and best practices for planning, testing, and ensuring a smooth …
Explores why replacing "User Stories" with "Product Backlog Items" improves clarity, flexibility, and transparency in product backlog management and …
Step-by-step guide to safely upgrade from MSF for Agile 4 to Visual Studio Scrum 2.x process templates in TFS, including handling customisations and …
Explains how to set up SEO-friendly permanent redirects for old URLs to new ones in ASP.NET, covering best practices and code examples for preserving …
Explores how rigid, hierarchical structures hinder organisational agility and offers practical strategies for shifting to decentralised, empowered, …
Explores the full responsibilities of a Product Owner in Agile, highlighting strategic decision-making, value maximisation, and the importance of …
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.

Alignment Healthcare
NIT A/S

Deliotte
Boxit Document Solutions

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)

Healthgrades

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

Big Data for Humans

Workday

Jack Links
CR2

Lean SA

Emerson Process Management

Graham & Brown

Hubtel Ghana

DFDS

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Higher Education Statistics Agency

Royal Air Force

Nottingham County Council

Washington Department of Transport

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

New Hampshire Supreme Court

Ghana Police Service

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

Slicedbread

Qualco

Trayport
CR2