Agile Northants

Future of Agile: Trends You Cannot Ignore by Paul Grew & Two Lightning Talks

[Main Talk] Future of Agile: Trends You Cannot Ignore (and some you should) by Paul Grew
Agile is evolving fast. Some ideas are gaining serious momentum, reshaping how teams and organisations work. Others? They're fading, proving less useful in today's landscape. The challenge is knowing where to focus.

This session breaks down the Agile trends that actually matter. We'll explore the rise of outcome-driven agility, the shift towards systems thinking, and why product operating model approaches are overtaking rigid agile frameworks. We'll also call out outdated or overhyped ideas that need to be left behind.

Expect a fast-paced, insightful talk, practical takeaways, and a fresh perspective on where Agile is heading next. Whether you're a practitioner, leader, or coach, you'll leave with a clearer view of the future and the confidence to adapt.

Speaker:
With over 20 years of experience leading Agile teams, including a decade at GSK and nine years consulting with Agility in Mind, Paul Grew brings a wealth of practical knowledge and hands-on expertise to Scrum training. As a Certified Professional Scrum Trainer through Scrum.org, Paul has taught online, hybrid, and onsite classes, consistently making them informative, engaging, and practical, with a touch of humour to enhance learning.

Paul is the author of The Sprint Review Survival Guide and has a proven track record of delivering tangible results, including halving time-to-market for clients across retail, pharma, and media industries. Dedicated to empowering teams and organisations, Paul combines deep subject-matter expertise with a learner-centred approach to create impactful training experiences.

[Lightning Talk 1] Agile Dynamics: Control Theory Unleashed with Richard Jonas
Control systems are essential for keeping your car stable and electrical devices' resilience are driven by robust theories and mathematics. These systems regulate responses to inputs, ensuring smooth, timely transitions without erratic fluctuations. Agile frameworks mimic these principles; agile meetings function like springs and dampers that keep the ride smooth. This talk explores how borrowing control theory might help us understand responses to change, improving the way we adapt in dynamic environments.

Speaker:
With a wealth of technical know-how, Richard crafts flexible systems that empower teams to drive value. His ability to conquer complex challenges across industries sparks ongoing innovation, propelling organizations to excel in a fast-changing world.

[Lightning Talk 2] HR and Agile: When Two Worlds Collide with Emily Morgan
Can HR and Agile truly work together—or are they destined to clash? In this lightning talk, I explore how these seemingly different worlds can not only coexist, but actually thrive when combined. Drawing on my background as a people professional and my passion for Agile methodology, I’ll share insights into the challenges HR teams face and reflect on how Agile ways of working can help. This is a call to rethink HR, consider how we can be different and continue to support people, culture, and change in organisations. When HR meets Agile, the potential is powerful. Are we ready to embrace it?

Speaker:
I'm Emily, the M in Agile M, I'm a facilitator running practical agile workshops. When you see the need for change and want things to be different, I offer training for people professionals to get the tools to make that change happen. Agile M came about because I saw People Teams frustrated and feeling reactive due to the amount of work they need to do. My passion for agile practices and experience in learning and development means we can create ways of working inspired by Agile frameworks that free up time for you to be proactive and deliver value for your customers.

Sponsor:
Scrum Alliance

Topic:
TBC

Speaker:
Femi Odelusi

Sponsor:
Scrum Alliance

Topic:
TBC

Speaker:
TBC

Sponsor:
Scrum Alliance

Topic:
TBC

Speaker:
TBC

Sponsor:
Scrum Alliance