Leading change doesn’t have to feel like a struggle—it can be joyful, creative, and deeply collaborative. In this episode, we explore a powerful shift in mindset that turns resistance into partnership, using Eli Goldratt’s Levels of Resistance model. Instead of fighting pushback, what if you invited skeptics to help solve the challenges?
We’ll show you how to reframe resistance as an opportunity for co-creation—where change becomes not just necessary, but exciting. If you’ve ever wanted change efforts to feel more energizing and less exhausting, this episode is for you. Read More
So, you’ve got a promising big idea that you want to test in small way? Maybe you’re thinking about adopting a new process in your… Read More
Should you split the Scrum Product Owner role? Many organizations do—but is it the right move? In this episode, we break down why companies divide the PO role (often into Product Manager, Product Owner, and/or Business Analyst), the hidden downsides that can hurt product success, and the key to making it work if you must split it.
Learn how a proven delegation model can prevent misalignment, reduce bottlenecks, and improve decision-making. Don’t let a split PO role slow your team down! Read More
To many in the Agile community, especially those of us who’ve been around since the early-adopter days, “Hybrid Agile” is another way to say “not… Read More
Many organizations struggle to balance **predictability** with **adaptability** in large initiatives. Too much planning creates rigidity, while too little leads to chaos. In this episode of the Humanizing Work Show, we dive into **Phases 3 & 4 of CAPED**—our **Complexity-Aware Planning, Estimation, and Delivery** approach—where we create a structured execution plan while keeping room for change.
Phase 3 (**Analytical Planning**) ensures that teams build a **realistic, risk-aware plan** by defining **What we’re building, How we’ll ensure quality, and When it will be delivered**.
Phase 4 (**Iterative Execution**) brings that plan to life with **incremental delivery, adaptive prioritization, and continuous planning cycles** that keep projects aligned and valuable. Read More
Have you looked at your colleagues’ calendars lately? Or your own? Meeting blocks stacked on meeting blocks. Twenty browser tabs showing twenty different trains of… Read More
Software teams have used Agile techniques to iterate during execution for years. But what if the cost of iteration is too high to change after planning is complete?
In Phase 2 of the CAPED process—Active Planning—we resolve complexity before committing to a full-scale execution plan. In this episode, we explore how Pixar and architect Frank Gehry use iterative planning techniques to test and refine their ideas early—just like CAPED helps teams tackle uncertainty in big, complex initiatives. Read More
In our product classes like CSPO and Advanced CSPO, we teach practices and tools for understanding and communicating about your target… Read More
Traditional project kickoffs assume predictability, but large, complex projects—especially in regulated industries—don’t work that way. In this episode, we take a deep dive into Phase 1 of our CAPED approach: Strategic Planning. Learn how to align stakeholders, map complexity, and use Reference Class Forecasting instead of unreliable decomposition-based methods to improve estimates and decision-making. Read More
In his 1973 poem “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front,” farmer-philosopher-poet Wendell Berry suggested, “every day do something / that won’t compute”. In 1973, “doesn’t… Read More
