ScrumBuddies

08/24/2025

When Hope runs out…

purpose rises.

I don’t know in this space of AI and trying to make it seem as if we are more successful than we really are. I feel like this is a great space for me to be honest and transparent.

This s**t sucks.
Being laid off sucks.
The market sucks.
Being a scrum master currently sucks.
And being unemployed SUCKS.

But in times where you have nothing left to try and your back is against the wall…

Do me a favor and find your purpose.
Do yourself a favor and find any opportunity to build and cultivate your purpose.
Do the world a favor and make it better through your purpose.

08/13/2025

Best of Scrumbuddies!
Dump 1

12/04/2024

New-ish beginnings

I will tell you that being unemployed sucks it has absolutely shaken every part of my being to the core.

The great part about being shaken to the core is though … you find out what your core really is.

My car is an education

I lead teams as a scrum master from an educator’s perspectives

I mentor my scrum team members the same way I mentor my students in the classroom.

And I absolutely adored, seeing my scrum buddies, my mentees, and my students grow.

Being unemployed helped me realize that that is where my purpose lies and being a strong master, help me do it at a very high level with very high stakes in certain environments that were not beneficial to me, but I still delivered at a high level.

So yes, you have not heard from me much lately but that’s because I’m getting my feet under me and I’m realizing what it feels like to not have as many bathroom breaks, but I also am getting used to the faces of the children, I get to come in contact with every day.

My DM’s are still open

My office hours have changed, but the purpose is still there if you need help being an impactful scrum master, I’m here to help.

And to other educators that want to leverage what they’ve learned and scrum in their classrooms, this is STILL the place for you to be.

- Duane your Scrum Buddy

10/21/2024

Unemployment can feel like a never-ending grind, but it’s just a chapter, not the entire story.
💡 The biggest hurdle? Getting noticed in a sea of applications. 🌊

That’s where Resume Reload 2 comes in! 🚀 In this workshop, I’ll show you how to optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), stand out with power words, and craft cover letters that get you in the door.

Don’t let the job hunt drag you down—turn this challenge into your biggest comeback.

Sign up now and let’s get you ready to land those interviews! https://buff.ly/3YA7NIn

10/19/2024

Let’s take this journey up a notch.

Let’s finally get those interviews.

Let’s accept those offers

Let’s get in front of teams.

Let’s bring value.

Interested? Check my story.

10/17/2024

Don’t get it twisted: as a Scrum Master, you’ve got to think of your career like an NBA contract. 🏀 You’re not just filling a role—you’re bringing talent, leadership, and strategy to the table. If your current company isn’t making moves to grow with you, it might be time to pull a LeBron and head where your skills are valued and properly compensated.

Just like star players get traded or sign with new teams to level up, you should always be assessing your professional growth. Are you being challenged? Is your expertise being recognized? If the organization isn’t invested in your long-term success, it’s time to explore new opportunities. 🏆

Remember, growth isn’t just about a pay raise; it’s about development, learning new skills, and leading teams that share your vision. If your current role isn’t pushing you towards becoming a better Scrum Master, then maybe you’re playing for the wrong team.

So… what contract are you on? Are you ready to stay and build, or is it time to look for a new team that’s a better fit for your future?

10/17/2024

10/15/2024

As a Scrum Master, a solid note-taking system is your secret weapon for keeping things organized, ensuring accountability, and guiding your team efficiently. Whether you're tracking action items, documenting meetings, or keeping tabs on sprint progress, having a reliable platform for capturing everything is essential. Two great tools that can help with this are Confluence and Notion.

Confluence: Best for Structured Team Collaboration
Confluence is perfect for teams that thrive on transparency and organization. With Confluence, you can:

Share notes with the team in real-time, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
Use templates for meetings, sprint planning, and retrospectives to save time.
Track changes with version control and integrate seamlessly with Jira for task management.
Notion: Flexibility for Dynamic Workflows
If you need more customization, Notion is a highly adaptable option. It allows you to:

Create personalized layouts (tables, Kanban boards, etc.) to organize notes however it works best for you.
Build a central hub where you can track tasks, sprints, and resources all in one place.
Sync across devices so you can capture notes on the go during meetings or brainstorming sessions.

Why It Matters
A good note-taking system ensures better retros, clearer accountability, and keeps the entire team aligned. Whether you go with the structured setup of Confluence or the flexibility of Notion, both tools will help you stay organized and keep your team moving forward.

10/11/2024

Hot Take Friday: TELL THEM PEOPLE NO.

10/10/2024

🚨 Scrum Masters, listen up! 🚨
It’s not enough to just do the work – you’ve got to show the work! 📊
Metrics aren't just numbers; they’re your team’s story in data form. 🛠️ Want to showcase your team’s progress and drive real transformation? It starts with understanding the numbers behind the sprints.

Here’s why embracing metrics can take your Scrum game to the next level: ✨ Clear insights = Better decision-making ✨ Tracking progress = Highlighting team success ✨ Data-driven discussions = Leading with impact

Remember: Transformation > Conversations. It’s time to let your work speak through the numbers!
🔗 Watch the full reel and let me know how YOU use metrics to boost your team's success.