Scaled Agile Framework

In an era focused on scalable efficiency, the pursuit of absolute service consistency is often seen as the ultimate goal. But what is gained and what is lost when service offerings are entirely predictable? Does aiming for uniformity stifle necessary adaptation and human connection? Join us for an intimate discussion exploring the often overlooked trade-offs of **service consistency**. We'll dive into when consistency builds “trust and reliability”, and when it becomes “a barrier to designing flexible, empathetic, and truly customer-centric experiences”. **#ServiceDesign #ServiceConsistency #ServiceManagement** **What’s a Service Design DC salon?** Our salons are an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow designers, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain fresh perspectives on the evolving landscape of our field. Space is limited to ensure an intimate atmosphere and encourage deeper conversations. Whether you have been to a past salon or will be a first timer, we’d be happy to have you join this group discussion of service design practitioners and enthusiasts in the Washington D.C. area! **Evening Agenda** * 6:00 P.M. - Doors Open / Socializing \* * 6:30 P.M. - Salon begins * 8:00 P.M. - Salon Wraps up \*We will provide light refreshments, including food and drinks, during the salon. **Note about RSVPs:** * Due to the limited number of available spots, we kindly request that you update your RSVP if you are unable to attend so others may have the opportunity to join. Thank you for your understanding. *** Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **Technical Assent!** *At Technical Assent, we believe that government can be a platform for service innovation where services can be designed to be more relevant to customers, more reliable, and delivered at a lower cost.* *Our company exists to build high-performing government service organizations — government-to-citizens (G2C), government-to-government (G2G), and shared services. Our approach is unique in that we improve service performance from the bottom-up, starting with customer experience. We use that insight to design and modify the talent, tools, and technology that deliver government services to each customer. Technical Assent is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business appraised at CMMI-SVC Level 3.*

**Join us for our very first MTG League Play!** Are you ready to elevate your Magic the Gathering experience to new heights? Look no further! 🚀✨ We're thrilled to invite you to join our Magic the Gathering League Play – where the realms of strategy, skill, and camaraderie converge. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a novice spellcaster, there's a place for you in our League Play. \* **Date**: Thursdays starting January 4th \* **Time**: 6pm - 9pm \* **Cost**: This event will be $10 and $5 for pass holders/ gold patrons. Each participant will receive a booster pack with purchase and a 2nd pack after playing 3 games. **(Pay at the shop the day of the event)** \***Place**: 3 Gear Games 25 C Street, Laurel MD 20707 --**Refund Policy**-- Refunds will be issued should we have to cancel this event, and are unable to reschedule it. They will not be issued for no-shows. --**Game Room Code Of Conduct**--[https://www.3gearstudios.com/service/code-of-conduct/](https://www.3gearstudios.com/service/code-of-conduct/?fbclid=IwAR054LDLzN5OeBImBfQpND1a_83AGAxPeFHwMO303UD3Z7rggbPn-TRYH64) Email questions to 3geargames@gmail.com

# 🚀Ready to level up your cybersecurity game? **Join Cloudforce on Thursday, February 26 at 5:00 PM** for **Cybersecurity in the Microsoft Cloud**, a focused session on the core security essentials every organization needs to protect its cloud environment. As threats grow more sophisticated and AI-driven attacks become the norm, understanding the fundamentals of securing Microsoft 365 is critical. This session will walk you through the practical building blocks of a strong security foundation—ensuring your identity, data, and collaboration tools remain protected. **Event Details:** **📅 When:** February 26th\, 2026 \| 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM **📍 Where:** Cloudforce HQ: 120 Waterfront St, Suite 500 · National Harbor, MD 🎤 **Speaker Lineup:** * Corey J\. Lee \| Security CTO at Microsoft * Hasib Munib \| Microsoft Certified Trainer \(MCT\) \- Azure Infrastructure & Security Consultant * Rhoddy McKown \| Cloud Security SME\, Unit Lead at Cloudforce * Husein Sharaf \| CEO & Founder at Cloudforce ✨ Don’t miss this chance to connect with peers, share ideas, and get inspired for the year ahead. **✅ RSVP today to claim your spot!** **Questions?** Reach out at events@gocloudforce.com

Cost: free Court Type: Outdoor Sand Level: Social (everyone is welcome) Transportation: Parking will be right in front of the courts. What to bring: a ball if you have one. This is a social volleyball which means as long as you played volleyball before and can keep some rally going you can attend. The point is to practice being a team player, have fun, be social, and make friends. We should try to have 2 passes before sending the ball over on most plays. Let's get everyone involved in the game.

JOIN US FOR THE BEST NETWORKING EVENT IN DC! As seen in Entrepreneur Magazine THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= weconnect® is the fastest growing startup, digital & tech networking organization in the country. Our events are comprised of the most influential professionals in the area. THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= Our purpose is to help our members forge strong, lasting relationships within the community – combining Fortune 500/1000s with Entrepreneurs and Startups. We’re creating unique opportunities & connections to help you grow your business and network both offline and online through our proprietary platform (coming soon). Enjoy The Most Successful Startup & Tech Mixer In A Fun, Relaxed Atmosphere Mingle With Highly Successful Men & Women In The Entrepreneur, Startup, TECH Space Find Your Next Client, Employee, Business Partner or Co-founder “Your Network Is Your Net Worth.” Come Build Your Network With Us! THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= COMPANIES OFTEN IN ATTENDANCE\* (... just to name a few) Google • Sony • Electronic Arts • Hulu • Hautelook • The Honest Company • Disney • Apple • Activision • Live Nation • Dollar Shave Club • Facebook • Snapchat • Trunk Club • ZipRecruiter • Experian • DreamWorks Amplify • HBO • Edmonds.com • DogVacay • NBC Universal • YouTube • BeachBody • Playstation • Amazon...and so many more. \*This does not Guarantee that these companies will be in attendance at this event. JOIN US FROM 6:00 - 9:00PM • DRINKS\* • AMAZING COMPANY • NETWORKING \*Cash Bar PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: Connect in Tech We're Hiring THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= THIS IS A PAID EVENT RSVP HERE => https://tinyurl.com/3nfn3jrz <= ***Event Date & location subject to change as per the organizers discretion.If event changes date your ticket will still be valid for the rescheduled event date.No Refunds, Exchanges or Substitutions***

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

7:30- 8 AM: Networking and Chit Chat 8 AM - 9 AM: Presentation and Q/A Topic: Making Data Actionable for AI Presenter: Dustin Wolfe Description: Lineage, Context, and Quality are table stakes for data science. Glossary, Ontology, Metadata are growth and operations accelerators

Playtesting Agent and Battle-scale of the Zone-17 role-playing and miniatures game.

**IMPORTANT:** This event is free, but please register here with your email so we can get a clear view of the attendance: https://uxdx.com/community/community-dc-2026-02-28/ TALKS **Lina Reynolds- Lead UX Strategist, Ford** **➡️The Strategic UX Advocate: Driving Influence through Clarity and Metrics** Are you tired of fighting for a "seat at the table" only to be asked to "just make it pretty"? Join Lina Reynolds, Lead UX Strategist, for a tactical deep dive into how UX professionals can transform from order-takers into strategic partners. Drawing from her 10+ years of experience and her recent panel at UXCON '25, Lina will share how she used Clarity and Metrics to lead high-impact projects at Ford Credit, including a dealer application that achieved a record-breaking 82 NPS. **➡️Faz Besharatian- Product Strategy & Design Leader, North X Normal** **From Stuck to Constraints Based Strategy** "We can’t do that here." Sound familiar? If you’ve worked in healthcare, finance, or any risk-sensitive environment, you’ve heard all the ways innovation gets stalled. Regulation, legal, compliance, lack of time, too many cooks... But what if constraints weren’t the enemy? Using constraints as a starting point for smarter strategy. It’s practical, fast, and made for product and design leaders. **Event Details:** **Agenda** 3:00 - 3:20: Registration and networking 3:20 - 3:30: Introduction 3:30- 4:00: The Strategic UX Advocate: Driving Influence through Clarity and Metrics- Lina Reynolds 4:00-4:30: From Stuck to Constraints Based Strategy- Faz Besharatian 4:30 - 5:00: Networking and close 📍**Location- Cleveland Park Library, DC** \*\*\* 🙌 We hope you can join us for an inspiring evening of learning and connection! 👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: [https://www.youtube.com/uxdxconf](https://www.youtube.com/uxdxconf) ✉ Get alerts on the latest events: [https://uxdx.com/subscribe](https://uxdx.com/subscribe) ℹ Find out more about us: [https://uxdx.com](https://uxdx.com)

Friends Join Us for a Transformative Two-Day Workshop on Authentic Relating on Feb 28th and March 1st. ART Level 1! Authentic Relating is about creating deeper, more meaningful connections by being open, honest, and present with others. In this workshop, you will learn practical tools to communicate more effectively, understand and express your true self, and cultivate empathy and trust in your relationships. **What to Expect:** * **Interactive Exercises:** Engage in a variety of activities designed to help you practice authentic relating principles. * **Group Discussions:** Share experiences and insights in a safe and supportive environment. * **Personal Growth:** Discover new ways to connect with yourself and others on a deeper level. Please RSVP to secure your spot, as space is limited. To learn more please click the link below. You can register online by going here: [https://authenticrelating.co/product/level-1-washington-dc-feb2026/](https://authenticrelating.co/product/level-1-washington-dc-feb2026/) *Enroll before January 28th and get 100 dollars off.*

Competitive Commander @ 5 pm $5 Standard and Modern @ 7:30 pm $5 entry Draft @ 7:30 pm $15 entry We suggest arriving at least 30 minutes early to register for the event.

Title : Design of a Quantum Photonic Full Adder Gate based on an 8-mode Integrated Optical Circuit Date: Feb 28 2026 Noon - 14:00 EST Abstract: Multiport interferometers designed using the Clements decomposition algorithm can be used to implement compact quantum-photonic full-adder (FA) gates on photonic integrated circuits (PICs). By expressing each element of the FA gate matrix in terms of the permanent of a non-unitary matrix, enabled through Boson sampling, the required number of MZIs in the gate can be further reduced. In this presentation, we will discuss the design of an FA gate modeled as a four-photon scattering process on an eight-mode integrated optical circuit, where the permanents of submatrices determine the output probabilities. Simulation results demonstrate a fidelity of 1 and a success probability of 2.22 × 10⁻⁴ for the FA gate. We will also examine the impact of phase-shifter and attenuator variations on fidelity and success probability using Ansys Q-Interconnect software. Finally, we will compare the performance of the proposed FA gate with a benchmark Toffoli gate designed using the same approach. Speaker: Shafiqul Hai received the B.Sc. degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2007, and the M.Eng. (Thesis) and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, in 2011 and 2016, respectively. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Lakehead University. His research interests include the modeling and characterization of compact nanophotonic devices and components for next-generation optical fiber and RF communication systems, as well as quantum computing on photonic integrated circuits. He is the author or coauthor of more than 12 peer-reviewed journal papers and 15 conference publications. Moderators: Dr. Pawel Gora, CEO of Quantum AI Foundation ([https://www.qaif.org/](https://www.qaif.org/)) , Dr. Sebastian Zajac , member of QPoland ([https://qworld.net/qpoland/](https://qworld.net/qpoland/)) This is an online event. Zoom registration form will be emailed to registrant and posted on the event forum by Feb 28 2026 11:00 am EST.

*theme:* **DIY Group Psychoanalysis "Deeper Listening, Awareness, Case Study Mindset"** Psychoanalysis "unlocks the past, informs the present, and expands the future. video clips: **Psychoanalytic SPIDER framework for listening 23min** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znUgyRsN0nk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znUgyRsN0nk) **Psychoanalytic theory in 3 minutes** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k) **Psychoanalysis A Curiosity about the mind 6min** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ) Psychoanalysis = a theory and practice treating symptoms and personality as **disguised compromises** around unconscious conflicts, using a structured relationship (transference) to make those patterns visible so you can **repeat less blindly** and **choose a bit more freely**. "Until you ***make the unconscious conscious***, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." Carl Jung \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Interpersonal Process Group** **Psychodynamic shared exploration, learning and growth** Interpersonal process groups focus on the interactions and dynamics between group members to facilitate personal growth and learning. These groups provide a courageous space for individuals to explore their interpersonal patterns, receive feedback, and develop more effective social skills. **The core principle is that the group itself becomes a microcosm of a member's real-life relationships, allowing for insights and behavioral changes.** Key aspects of interpersonal process groups: * **Exploration of Interpersonal Dynamics:** Members examine their communication styles, relationship patterns, and how they relate to others within the group. * **Feedback and Self-Awareness:** The group provides a platform for members to receive feedback on their behaviors and develop greater self-awareness. * **Development of Social Skills:** Members practice new ways of relating, communicating, and collaborating within the group, leading to improved social skills. * **Microcosm of Relationships:** The group mirrors real-life relationships, allowing members to observe and analyze their patterns in a safe and controlled setting. * **Personal Growth and Well-being:** Through these processes, individuals can experience significant personal growth and enhanced well-being. Benefits of participating in an interpersonal process group: * **Increased self-awareness:** Understanding one's own behavior and its impact on others. * **Improved communication skills:** Learning to communicate more effectively and assertively. * **Stronger relationships:** Developing more fulfilling and meaningful relationships. * **Reduced anxiety and stress:** Finding support and coping mechanisms for social challenges. * **Enhanced empathy and understanding:** Learning to see situations from others' perspectives. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Join us for an exciting meeting of personal growth as we delve deep into the realm of self-development. This meetup is designed for personal growth addicts like you who are eager to unlock their hidden potential and take charge of their lives. Don't miss this chance to meet fellow personal growth enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn from one another. Step into a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. Come prepared to engage in provocative conversations, share your opinions, wrestle with challenging ideas, and leave with a renewed sense of deeper meaning and learning. **Tentative Agenda:** 1:00pm Social, Setup & Introductions, guidelines, terminology; 1:15pm Interactive open dialogue conversation & sharing; 2:45pm debrief, summary, debrief 3:00pm finish Light snacks, water & hot tea provided. Tysons-Pimmit Library is on Leesburg Pike (Rt 7) in Falls Church, VA off I-495 beltway exit 47. **Meeting room #2** is down 1st left hallway, on left side across from the bathrooms.

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

Come chat about Atlassian tools and best practices at the Reynoldsburg Sunny Street Cafe and Breakfast is on Atlassian! Let's get the day started off with breakfast with your ACE Leaders! We're always excited to talk about Atlassian Products, share our knowledge and hand out swag! Come chat with us about new product news and anything you are working on within the Atlassian product stack. This is a great opportunity to come see what we are all about, hear new business news and share with other Atlassian users your questions and experiences. We'd love to see new and old friends come out to chat and learn about Atlassian! Agenda --- Moderators Kimberly Deal - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Kevin Stanley - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Greg Sprowls - Columbus Atlassian Community Leader Hosted By Kimberly Deal, Atlassian User Group Leader Kevin Stanley, Chief Everything Greg Sprowls, Agility Lead --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. Partner Atlassian --- For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-columbus-presents-rise-and-shine-with-atlassian-reynoldsburg-4/.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects. **YouTube Link** TBA

We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.

Join us and work remotely together with like-minded UX folks. This is a last minute opportunity to get out at one of our favorites, [Junto](https://thejuntohotel.com/)! Plenty of seating is available in addition to a connected coffee shop and restaurant. I will be there 10-12 for sure, maybe longer. Feel free to come and go anytime during the day, and don't forget your charger and headphones!

Meeting @ Improving's office in Downtown Columbus, near Cosi. Parking is paid, food & drink are free! This time we're hanging out after the long winter break. We are going to look at a group-member's project used to help learn the fundamentals of Go, and if time allows, we can take a look at how we like to build Go projects using AI.