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Mark Levison

@mlevison.bsky.social
107 followers 63 following 606 posts

I help repair Bad Scrum and Fake Agile. I want to help teams be effective, fun places - not feature factories.

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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Then: the "last chance" pressure only works on the decision to enrol. Once you've paid, it's gone. What's pulling you to practice in week four? Hard pass. Agent Thinking Skills asks one question at a time instead of agreeing with you. buff.ly/0D4mx51
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Does no one left at Agile Alliance understand anything Agile? "From Zero to a Ready-to-Run Retro in 15 Minutes with AI" "Workshop prep shouldn’t eat your evening." of course not. it's part of the job to think about the Sprint and team. Take the time to reflect. 15min in Copilot? Gross.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
AI code generators promise speed. The promise leaves out the part where the bill arrives later. Code is cheap to write, expensive to maintain.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Coaches keep promising AI chatbots 'trained' on their writing. Most are just RAG. Works when the question maps cleanly to your docs. Falls apart when it doesn't, and the user can't tell which they got.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
AI agents promised faster delivery. They also delivered +39% Cognitive Complexity and +30% static analysis warnings. Reinforcing loop: more AI code -> complexity -> debt -> velocity drops. Speed gains gone in months.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Senior devs felt 20% faster using AI on familiar codebases. METR measured them 19% slower. The 39 point gap between feeling and reality is the part nobody puts on the roadmap. 12 questions, 3 minutes.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
GenAI prototypes: built in minutes, not weeks. Game changer? At #ProductCamp Ottawa 2026, an informal poll showed few people test hypotheses with real users before shipping AI code.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
AI agents promised faster delivery. They also delivered 39% more Cognitive Complexity and 30% more static analysis warnings. Research found a reinforcing cycle: AI generates more code → complexity rises → debt accumulates → velocity drops → teams write even more AI code to compensate.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
It asks the follow-up questions that uncover the deeper issues. Just tell your story and reflect. The skill includes core Systems Thinking questions and Causal Loop Diagrams. As I get feedback, I'll expand it #AIinSoftwareDevelopment #BuildInPublic buff.ly/SvBozW1
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
I've argued that while GenAI can reduce critical thinking, using it well actually requires more critical thinking. So how can these tools help develop that skill? For 10+ years, I've encouraged ScrumMasters to use Systems Thinking for deeper problem understanding.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
ClaudeCode makes missteps automating tasks. Extracting BufferApp data via Playwright, I asked for LinkedIn→Mastodon→BlueSky scrapers. Got 3 separate codebases (~2/3 duplicated) instead of reusable components. Different CSV formats. Claude ran code in its chat, burning my morning's tokens.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
🎾 The Tennis Kata shows why AI won't replace developers - it can't model domains or understand "why." But as a programming partner? Game-changing productivity boost ⚡✨ buff.ly/NQ3XiVX...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
AI stresses your team? You’re not alone. Our article discusses the human side of AI and how compassion can lead the way through these turbulent times. Read more: buff.ly/huOjfjK...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Why do so many Sprint Planning sessions feel like a waste of time? When backlog items are poorly refined, the "Definition of Done" is fuzzy, or there's no clear Sprint Goal, planning becomes a guessing game. This leads to scope creep, technical debt, and feeling stuck. Full article: buff.ly/V78NxgJ
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
⚡ Perception ≠ Reality in AI coding tools. Study: 19% slower completion, 20% faster feeling. This gap creates workplace stress when expectations don't match outcomes. Sustainable progress needs honest measurement. buff.ly/gxtzBuK...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Feeling the strain as "urgent" scope changes constantly disrupt your team's sprints? Weary of unpredictable delivery? Changes can be managed thoughtfully, not reactively, by addressing core issues of unclear strategy and communication. Take the 5-minute Agile Checkup : agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
GenAI anxiety cure: understanding how it actually works. Teams physically demonstrate that GenAI doesn't think or remember - it matches patterns to predict text. Knowledge removes fear. 🔍 buff.ly/2LKWkB6...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
"AI makes estimation accurate!" Wrong. Estimation is flawed because it ignores variability. Real value? Team conversations building shared understanding. Don't automate that away. #Scrum buff.ly/9nmxipV...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Want to improve your Scrum game? It might start with a simple "No." Learn how to do it effectively: buff.ly/giEgmqv... 🛑 #ProductOwners #Agile #Leadership
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
💡 Most successful client projects: Deeply involved clients who AREN'T the PO Why? Product Ownership needs daily availability + quick decisions + technical understanding. Clients excel at business vision, not dev tactics. Play to strengths. buff.ly/Suz2Yew...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Are you using GenAI effectively, or just rolling the dice? 🎲 This piece offers a reality check on AI's capabilities, highlighting its limitations in originality, learning, and true reasoning. buff.ly/9nmxipV... #GenAI #LLM #TechReality #AgileCoaching #AIPragmatist #AIExplained
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
🔥 Sprint Planning from Hell.🔥 Debating user story sizes for hours isn't just a waste of time, it's often a symptom of deeper issues. The whole sprint suffers, leading to scope creep, reduced quality, and frustrated stakeholders. Dig into the causes to start planning your fixes: 👉🏻 buff.ly/V78NxgJ
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Is your team busy but stuck? Blame interruptions: - multitasking, boredom-driven switching, slow processes - help requests, socializing, unnecessary meetings - notifications, outside meetings, production issues, external dependencies. Each comes at a high cost. Learn more: buff.ly/WrzcUq3
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
"Sprint Planning from Hell" - where good intentions go to die, buried under hours of debate and a lack of clarity. buff.ly/V78NxgJ Think poor backlog refinement, vague "Definition of Done" criteria, or simply not having a clear Sprint Goal. These make planning painful & sabotage the entire sprint.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Interruptions from multitasking, waiting on slow processes (like GenAI builds), team requests, and external meetings derail flow, cost significant recovery time (up to 30 mins each!), and impact ability to deliver value. Unpack and solve 🔗👉🏻 buff.ly/WrzcUq3
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Sprint Planning from Hell: - Poor Refinement - Undefined "Done" - Missing Sprint Goal - Facilitation Gaps - Delivery Pressure These issues don't just make planning a chore; they lead to mid-sprint chaos, reduced output, and decreased quality. buff.ly/V78NxgJ
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
The real productivity killer? Interruptions. Don't blame Scrum, use it to fix things: buff.ly/WrzcUq3 Multitasking, waiting on slow builds, unplanned work mid-sprint and endless notifications... interruptions chip away at focus (up to 30 mins each time) at huge cost to team flow and delivery.
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Ever feel like your Scrum team is just spinning its wheels? 😵‍💫 You've got the ceremonies down, but are you actually moving forward? Stop the meeting overload and start seeing real, measurable improvements. Register now to join us December 18: buff.ly/I52XOiV #Agile #TeamImprovement #Scrum
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Stop mid-Sprint scope creep. - Reinforce sprint goal & overall product strategy with team & stakeholders - Discuss changes and their impact before they're deemed "urgent. - Involve stakeholders in backlog refinement and sprint planning 5-minute Agile Checkup: agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
You're working on a complex task, perhaps involving GenAI. Suddenly, a Slack notification pops up. Then a colleague stops by. Before you know it, your focus is shattered. This isn't just an annoyance, it's a major productivity killer. Dig deeper into the cost of interruptions 👉🏻 buff.ly/Kzqb1Ex
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Dealing with a product backlog that's gone rogue is a classic Scrum pain point. That massive list is killing your team's motivation. Ditch backlog chaos for a clear story map: youtu.be/IiWDBxingks #Agile #Scrum #ProductBacklog #StoryMapping #TeamProductivity
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Is your Scrum team just spinning its wheels? 😵‍💫 Visualize your workflow and limit work-in-progress to reveal hidden bottlenecks. Stop meeting overload and see real, measurable improvements. Make your Scrum work, not just happen. Join us December 18: buff.ly/Io6ne4C
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
To create a skills matrix, run a workshop. You can follow the step-by-step in my article "How to Build a Powerful Team from Scratch" here 👉🏻 buff.ly/Z4gIixu #EffectiveScrum #SkillsMatrix #TeamBuilding #Agile #Scrum #Collaboration #Teamwork #HighPerformanceTeams
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
A group that lacks clear purpose or psychological safety will struggle, no matter the framework. "How to Build a Powerful Team from Scratch" buff.ly/Z4gIixu goes step-by-step to foster better collaboration & reduce workplace stress. 🩺 Take the 5 Minute Agile Checkup: buff.ly/eiFkpPG #TeamDynamics
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Feeling the strain as "urgent" scope changes constantly disrupt your team's sprints? Weary of unpredictable delivery? Changes can be managed thoughtfully, not reactively, by addressing core issues of unclear strategy and communication. Take the 5-minute Agile Checkup : agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
When "urgent" scope changes hit mid-sprint, it's easy to blame the stakeholder. But these are symptoms of deeper issues: a fuzzy product strategy, weak communication, or stakeholders not being truly involved early on. Take the 5-minute Agile Checkup: agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com #Agile #Scrum
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Are you using GenAI effectively, or just rolling the dice? 🎲 This piece offers a reality check on AI's capabilities, highlighting its limitations in originality, learning, and true reasoning. agilepainrelief.com/blog/gen-ai-... #GenAI #LLM #TechReality #AgileCoaching #AIPragmatist #AIExplained
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Want to improve your Scrum game? It might start with a simple "No." Learn how to do it effectively: agilepainrelief.com/blog/product... 🛑 #ProductOwners #Agile #Leadership
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
🎾 The Tennis Kata shows why AI won't replace developers - it can't model domains or understand "why." But as a programming partner? Game-changing productivity boost ⚡✨ agilepainrelief.com/blog/ai-code...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
GenAI anxiety cure: understanding how it actually works. Teams physically demonstrate that GenAI doesn't think or remember - it matches patterns to predict text. Knowledge removes fear. 🔍 agilepainrelief.com/blog/human-p...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
If “everything’s a priority,” nothing is. Product Owners: sharpen your “No” — your team will thank you. 💡 agilepainrelief.com/blog/product...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
⚡ Perception ≠ Reality in AI coding tools. Study: 19% slower completion, 20% faster feeling. This gap creates workplace stress when expectations don't match outcomes. Sustainable progress needs honest measurement. agilepainrelief.com/blog/using-g...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Scrum Masters: Tired of books that talk theory but don’t help in the real world? These ones actually do. 📚 👉 agilepainrelief.com/blog/recomme... #Agile #Scrum #BookTokForScrum
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
"AI makes estimation accurate!" Wrong. Estimation is flawed because it ignores variability. Real value? Team conversations building shared understanding. Don't automate that away. #Scrum agilepainrelief.com/blog/gen-ai-...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
AI stresses your team? You’re not alone. Our article discusses the human side of AI and how compassion can lead the way through these turbulent times. Read more: agilepainrelief.com/blog/the-hum...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
💡 Most successful client projects: Deeply involved clients who AREN'T the PO Why? Product Ownership needs daily availability + quick decisions + technical understanding. Clients excel at business vision, not dev tactics. Play to strengths. agilepainrelief.com/blog/jenga-e...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
AI can assist, but it can’t replace the heart of Scrum—collaboration & facilitation. ❤️🤖 Get a handy list of questions to help distinguish between healthy and harmful uses of GenAI: agilepainrelief.com/blog/why-ai-... #ScrumMaster #Agile
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
AI isn’t your new Product Owner. (At least, not a good one.) 😅 Here’s what gets lost when Gen AI replaces the thinking in Scrum: agilepainrelief.com/blog/gen-ai-...
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
AI can write code... and chaos. 🌀 Before your team dives head-first into the automation pool, read this: 👉 agilepainrelief.com/blog/the-rea... #Agile #DevTeam #AI
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Mark Levison @mlevison.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
AI confidence = learned internet tone, not actual knowledge 😤 Sounds certain because training data was confident, not because it knows things. agilepainrelief.com/blog/gen-ai-...
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