Constructing a framework for the TFS Automation Platform
Outlines the structure and components of a framework for the TFS Automation Platform, detailing its architecture, plugin management, and development …
Techniques and methodologies for high-quality software engineering.

Software Development encompasses the techniques and methodologies employed to engineer high-quality software solutions that meet user needs and business objectives. It is a systematic approach that integrates various practices, including Agile, Lean, and DevOps, to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and adaptability within teams. This concept is crucial as it enables organisations to deliver value predictably and sustainably, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness to change.
By focusing on iterative development, teams can quickly adapt to feedback and evolving requirements, ensuring that the software remains relevant and effective. The emphasis on automation, testing, and integration within Software Development practices reduces the risk of defects and accelerates delivery cycles, allowing for frequent releases that enhance customer satisfaction. Moreover, it promotes a holistic view of the software lifecycle, encouraging cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members.
This long-term, systemic approach not only improves the quality of the software produced but also cultivates an environment where innovation thrives, enabling organisations to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market. The integration of evidence-based management principles further supports informed decision-making, ensuring that teams can navigate complexity and uncertainty effectively. By prioritising these practices, organisations can achieve a sustainable competitive advantage through enhanced software development capabilities that align with their strategic goals and customer expectations.
Outlines the structure and components of a framework for the TFS Automation Platform, detailing its architecture, plugin management, and development …
Explains how using a separate version control branch for each sprint in Scrum improves code stability, release management, and team collaboration over …
Explores the gap between accountability and authority for Scrum Masters and Product Owners, highlighting the need to empower roles responsible for …
Explores how empowering Agile teams to adapt their processes boosts flexibility, continuous improvement, collaboration, and maximises value and return …
Explains how Applied Professional Scrum (APS) helps teams master Scrum by focusing on fundamentals, removing unhelpful practices, and enabling …
Explains how to automate and streamline software release management using Team Foundation Server 2012, Lab Management, and Octopus, focusing on build, …
Mandating Agile or Scrum fails without cultural change; true agility requires trust, transparency, and a supportive environment, not just tools or …
Explores how rigid adherence to tools and processes hinders true agility, and offers strategies for fostering adaptability, experimentation, and …
Explains how Scrum teams can balance Sprint work and Refinement, with strategies and visual tools to track, manage, and visualise both for better …
Learn how Agile coaches can empower teams by staying framework-agnostic, focusing on core principles, and enabling teams to choose and adapt practices …
Explores how integrating Scrum with DevOps boosts software delivery by improving collaboration, automation, speed, and product quality in modern …
Explores why diligence—consistent attention to quality and standards—is vital in Agile teams, how it’s often overlooked, and practical steps to foster …
Explains why a clear Definition of Done is vital in Agile and Scrum for quality delivery, transparency, and risk mitigation, with tips for team …
Understand and apply Agile Values and Principles based on first principles. Build a foundation for true agility and continuous value delivery
Learn how Evidence-Based Management uses data to guide Agile teams, improve decision-making, track value, and boost innovation, customer satisfaction, …
Explores how chaos arises in agile transformations due to unclear vision and poor communication, and offers strategies for restoring alignment, …
Learn to spot six key signs of sloth in Agile teams, including missed deliveries, ignored feedback, rigid processes, and lack of adaptation, to …
Explores how applying 'less is more' in Agile boosts productivity and quality by focusing on high-value tasks, reducing waste, and streamlining team …
Delivering usable, working products frequently is key to reducing risk in Agile. Focus on feedback, automation, and lean practices over excessive …
Learn practical strategies for overcoming common challenges in scaling Scrum, based on hands-on insights from the Scaled Professional Scrum course and …
Explains how to gather key metrics for evidence-based management in software organisations, focusing on value delivery, time to market, and ability to …
Explains why rejecting individual backlog items at Sprint Review is a misconception, highlighting Scrum’s focus on learning, collaboration, and …
Explains how modern business applications use continuous delivery to release new features frequently, reduce risk, and improve customer satisfaction …
Explores how applying the "just enough and no more" principle in agile practices boosts efficiency, reduces waste, and helps teams focus on delivering …
Explains how Scrum Masters and Agile coaches boost team motivation by setting clear goals, fostering engagement, recognising achievements, and …
Guidance for new scrum teams on establishing effective practices, learning from experience, experimenting, and improving during their first four weeks …
Immersive training helps experienced Scrum Masters deepen practical skills, boost team effectiveness, and develop leadership through hands-on, …
Many product development surprises stem from poor backlog management, not true unknowns. Regular refinement and reflection help teams anticipate and …
Explores how immersive, collaborative learning methods in Scrum training enable ongoing support, real-world application, and lasting organisational …
Explains why Scrum events are not pointless meetings but structured opportunities for inspection, adaptation, and progress, clarifying common …
Explains how the APS course uses practical exercises and simulations to help people understand, apply, and improve scrum practices in real-world …
Explains why relying on story points and velocity signals team immaturity in Scrum, and highlights better ways to build confidence and predictability …
Explains the importance of passing builds, common causes of build failures, how to identify issues and responsible users, and best practices for build …
Guides a 160-minute Sprint Review workshop using Liberating Structures to inspect product progress, gather feedback, and plan next steps for Scrum …
Learn how to spot fake Agile practices using six key questions from the US Department of Defense, and discover steps to assess and improve true Agile …
Explores common misconceptions about the Scrum Master role, highlighting the shift from tool admin to empowering leader who fosters team autonomy, …
Provides ALM consulting, training, and assessments across Scotland, UK, and Europe, specialising in lean-agile, TFS, Visual Studio, Scrum, and process …
Covers presenting Visual Studio ALM features and the process of upgrading from TFS 2010 to TFS 2012, including benefits, challenges, and key …
Reflects on lessons learned at SSW in software process, technology, and communication, and details a career move to an ALM consultant role at …
Understand the Agile philosophy and its impact on organisations. Go beyond frameworks to explore Agile as a guiding ethos for value delivery.
Explores why focusing on value delivery and psychological safety leads to better Agile team outcomes than fixating on estimates, output metrics, or …
Explores the impact of lacking feedback and engagement in Agile teams, highlighting risks and offering strategies to boost stakeholder involvement and …
Explores the difference between adopting agile practices superficially and truly embracing agile values, highlighting the need for deep organisational …
Explores challenges and solutions for manual testing in agile software development, focusing on tracking, automation, actionable bugs, and integrated …
Explores how automation boosts software development by reducing errors, speeding up deployments, and ensuring consistent, high-quality releases in …
Explains the Sprint Review workshop, detailing its role in Agile teams for stakeholder engagement, market alignment, and continuous product …
Early agile transformations often failed due to top-down decisions, lack of team involvement, and misalignment between leadership and those doing the …
Overview of a session at NDC London demonstrating new features in Team Foundation Server and Visual Studio Online, with end-to-end ALM demos for .NET …
Explores how greed in Agile leads to overwork and reduced value, offering strategies for value-driven delivery, balanced sprints, team trust, and …
Compares Agile’s risk mitigation through incremental, usable products with traditional project management’s reliance on documentation, highlighting …
Reflects on experiences with Professional Scrum, highlighting its impact on software development, team culture, training, and the challenges of …
Explains how empowering Agile teams to act on user feedback enables rapid requirement changes, improves product relevance, and overcomes barriers like …
Explains why relying on Agile burndown charts leads to over-planning and false progress, and advocates for minimal, adaptive planning and continuous …
Explores how Agile success relies on team collaboration, embracing change, continuous improvement, and focusing on delivering real value to customers …
Learn essential principles for effective Sprint planning in Agile, including understanding the product backlog, setting clear goals, and fostering …
Learn practical strategies for effective product backlog management in Agile, including prioritisation, refinement, stakeholder engagement, and tools …
Explains why a Scrum Master should facilitate and empower agile teams, not micromanage, highlighting the importance of trust, autonomy, and effective …
Explains how involving everyone in Professional Scrum training fosters organisational agility, breaks down silos, and empowers teams to drive …
Scrum Masters require proven expertise, not entry-level skills. Hiring juniors in this role risks team performance and agile success; experience is …
Explains the true responsibilities of a Scrum Master, how to maximise team effectiveness, teach Scrum principles, and address organisational …
We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.

DFDS

Slaughter and May

Genus Breeding Ltd

Schlumberger

Philips

Slicedbread

Alignment Healthcare

Higher Education Statistics Agency

Teleplan

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

Lockheed Martin

Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd

Illumina

New Signature

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG)

Jack Links

Boeing

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Nottingham County Council

New Hampshire Supreme Court

Ghana Police Service

Royal Air Force

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Slaughter and May

Genus Breeding Ltd

SuperControl
CR2

Jack Links

Graham & Brown