Scrum. Kanban. Standups. Sprints. Agility is often promoted as the key to improved delivery and happier teams. But can it really turn a dysfunctional environment into a high-performing one?

Adding Scrum, Kanban, or XP on top of existing dysfunction doesn’t fix the root issues. Frameworks promise better delivery, but they fall short when they’re slapped onto teams with unclear goals, poor communication, or leadership misalignment. Real value doesn’t come from ceremonies or boards—it comes from addressing core problems first.

In this session, we’ll take a look at what must come before any agile method can yield real results. We will identify common organizational dysfunctions that frameworks alone can’t fix, and we’ll outline practical steps for addressing these root issues first. You will learn how to evaluate whether Scrum, Kanban, or XP is the right fit—or if it’s time to discard them altogether. Expect concrete advice and clear examples that help you move beyond superficial “agility” to truly value-driven work.

Key Takeaways:

-> No Quick Fixes: Understand why frameworks alone won’t correct misaligned objectives or broken trust.

-> Root Causes First: Learn how to identify and solve underlying dysfunctions before introducing agile methods.

-> Substance Over Rituals: Recognize when you’re following a framework’s steps but delivering no real customer value.

-> Adapt or Discard: Know when to adjust, replace, or drop a framework that’s not serving your team’s true needs.