Great book but...

I'm new to audiobooks and my fear of listening to books like this is that I wouldn't be able to scroll to a the appendix and see some of the graphics discussed. It would be really cool if you could get an access code with the audiobook that would give you access to a website that shows the appendix or any other graphic discussed

190 people found this helpful

It was alright

The book had some really good overall concepts, which I have no doubt work very well when implemented. I definitely agree with all that the author spoke on about organizations needing to use a different method and scrum really does sound like a great option. I will likely bring it up in my own place of work.

My issue is that the entire book (except the one-chapter index at the very end) was basically just the author trying to explain scrum's achievements, which I pretty much already understood by reading the book's description (which is why I bought the book in the first place). He gives example after example of organizations that were using an archaic system for years, didn't want to change until they had no choice, then they implemented scrum and all their problems went away. I definitely believe that what the author says is true, but I feel like the entire book was just these same stories over and over again, like he was trying to convince his readers that scrum really does work, as if we still didn't believe him from the first ten times he told us.

I think it's cool how his son read the audio book, though he did come across as a bit arrogant with a touch of mild sarcasm scattered in from time to time.

Overall, I'm not unhappy that I bought/listened to this book, but I'm not crazy about the fact that 90% of the time I spent on it was pretty much pointless.

109 people found this helpful

Worst book!

I boughts this book to learn about Scrum, what I got is hours of advertisements about Scrum but not much about it. Well there is an appendix at the end that is supposed to be an introduction. Other than that, go to their web page and pay for the course, here you pay for the ad.

19 people found this helpful

When All You Have Got Is A Hammer ......

I needed a quick introduction to scrum and decided to go to the source based on the reviews. I was ultimately disappointed with the audiobook. There is way too much proselytizing and self-congratulating going on in it for my taste. I just wanted him to cut to the chase and explain the method. As another reviewer mentions, he also seems to have fallen into the trap that he has found a panacea for all the world's ills. The author follows a trend very common in technology writing of using lots of testosterone driven analogies and metaphors. Even though he is all for diversity in teams his language would be a major turn-off for a significant percentage of the population. It does eventually cover the ground but I would have preferred a shorter book by someone else that ditched the evangelical zeal.

79 people found this helpful

A 7 hour sales pitch "made for why, not how"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I actually would, it was not a bad book by any stretch and I learned a fair bit. However I feel this book could be quickly cut down by 3 hours.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

This guy is super self-indulgent. I enjoy scrum and I love that he is passionate about his creation, but it's painful.

Which character – as performed by JJ Sutherland – was your favorite?

N/A

58 people found this helpful

Gives a justification for pursuing scrum

The book focuses on the reasons and benefits of using scrum but does not go into the details of how to use scrum.

Very useful if, like me, you are new to the concept. The only complaint I have is that the author overstates his case and goes so far as to present scrum as the solution to all of he worlds problems. That was a little bit silly.

48 people found this helpful

Sold scrum well

The book definitely sold the methodology well but you certainly don't come out of it knowing how to do the methodology. This book is more about the why then the how.

43 people found this helpful

Excellent

This was an amazing book to listen to. it was very clear on what scrum is, how it came about, and how to properly implement it. The numerous real world examples really helped solidify the teachings.

16 people found this helpful

Read Me First

I've been an agile developer since, well, before there was a manifesto. I've been Apache Agile, Extreme Programming Agile, and, nowadays, on my team we use Scrum with all the trimmings.

Sutherland's book is helping me gain a new respect for Scrum, and also helping me see some places where our own practice can be improved in small but significant ways.

The book is full of hard advice and riveting anecdotes, including how the FBI uses Scrum to keep us safe, and how Scrum brought us ATMs and prescriptions by mail.

A key theme of the book is that Scrum isn't just for manufacturing or for software, it's for planning and managing any process subject to constraints: Weddings, Black Ops teams, Frontline News Correspondents, Home Improvement Contractors -- you name it!

Best of all: Sutherland's book is totally boss-friendly. If you have, or you are, a manager, CTO, or CEO that doesn't really get what Scrum is about, but would be willing to learn: this is the book to read first.

Or, if you practice Scrum yourself, and think you know it all, trust me, you don't.

Newbie or not, this may be the last Scrum book you ever need to read.

95 people found this helpful

Lots of why and exapke stories and little of how

Good for Scrum beginner and experts also. Beginners should read additional info how to implement it in different scenarios.

19 people found this helpful