Mark Levison
@mlevison.bsky.social
I help repair Bad Scrum and Fake Agile.
I want to help teams be effective, fun places - not feature factories.
I want to help teams be effective, fun places - not feature factories.
Had a chat with someone whose team had over 1000 items in their backlog. A THOUSAND. 🤯 See why this is a huge problem and story mapping is a way to fix it. It’s a much saner way to work. Check it out: youtu.be/IiWDBxingks
#AgileMindset #ProductOwner #ScrumTeam #ProjectManagement #TechStrategy
#AgileMindset #ProductOwner #ScrumTeam #ProjectManagement #TechStrategy
Tired of Product Backlog Overload? Learn Story Mapping!
Drowning in an oversized Product Backlog? Story Mapping is your life raft. Agile expert Mark Levison shows you step-by-step how to replace an overwhelming backlog with a story map that is clear and…
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Had a chat with someone whose team had over 1000 items in their backlog. A THOUSAND. 🤯 See why this is a huge problem and story mapping is a way to fix it. It’s a much saner way to work. Check it out: youtu.be/IiWDBxingks
#AgileMindset #ProductOwner #ScrumTeam #ProjectManagement #TechStrategy
#AgileMindset #ProductOwner #ScrumTeam #ProjectManagement #TechStrategy
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
🩺 Take the 5 Minute Agile Checkup: buff.ly/eiFkpPG
#TeamDynamics
November 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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
🩺 Take the 5 Minute Agile Checkup: buff.ly/eiFkpPG
#TeamDynamics
Work piling up? It's time to look beyond just Scrum. Scrum Better with Kanban teaches you to visualize workflow, manage flow, and implement real improvements. Gain practical tools and earn two credentials.
December 18th workshop is open for registration!
buff.ly/djF0E20
December 18th workshop is open for registration!
buff.ly/djF0E20
Scrum Better with Kanban — Agile Pain Relief Consulting
LEARN HOW TO GET YOUR TEAM UNSTUCK. This one-day workshop will show you how to significantly strengthen your Scrum practices with proven Kanban principles. Learn when to use Scrum, when to use…
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Work piling up? It's time to look beyond just Scrum. Scrum Better with Kanban teaches you to visualize workflow, manage flow, and implement real improvements. Gain practical tools and earn two credentials.
December 18th workshop is open for registration!
buff.ly/djF0E20
December 18th workshop is open for registration!
buff.ly/djF0E20
Learn how to add Kanban's flow-management into your Scrum framework. This isn't about replacing Scrum, but about making it more effective by visualizing work, managing WIP, and optimizing flow for smoother delivery and better collaboration.
Join us December 18th to learn how:
Join us December 18th to learn how:
Scrum Better with Kanban — Agile Pain Relief Consulting
LEARN HOW TO GET YOUR TEAM UNSTUCK. This one-day workshop will show you how to significantly strengthen your Scrum practices with proven Kanban principles. Learn when to use Scrum, when to use…
agilepainrelief.corsizio.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Learn how to add Kanban's flow-management into your Scrum framework. This isn't about replacing Scrum, but about making it more effective by visualizing work, managing WIP, and optimizing flow for smoother delivery and better collaboration.
Join us December 18th to learn how:
Join us December 18th to learn how:
Ready to stop feeling like you're herding cats with your Scrum team? Learn how to:
✅ Visualize workflow
✅ Identify & resolve bottlenecks
✅ Make evolutionary changes
✅ Focus team energy
Join the December 18th workshop: buff.ly/djF0E20
✅ Visualize workflow
✅ Identify & resolve bottlenecks
✅ Make evolutionary changes
✅ Focus team energy
Join the December 18th workshop: buff.ly/djF0E20
Scrum Better with Kanban — Agile Pain Relief Consulting
LEARN HOW TO GET YOUR TEAM UNSTUCK. This one-day workshop will show you how to significantly strengthen your Scrum practices with proven Kanban principles. Learn when to use Scrum, when to use…
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Ready to stop feeling like you're herding cats with your Scrum team? Learn how to:
✅ Visualize workflow
✅ Identify & resolve bottlenecks
✅ Make evolutionary changes
✅ Focus team energy
Join the December 18th workshop: buff.ly/djF0E20
✅ Visualize workflow
✅ Identify & resolve bottlenecks
✅ Make evolutionary changes
✅ Focus team energy
Join the December 18th workshop: buff.ly/djF0E20
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
Take the 5-minute Agile Checkup : agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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
Take the 5-minute Agile Checkup : agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com
Tired of endless meetings & work that gets stuck? 🤔 Learn how to blend Scrum with Kanban to make your team more effective.
✨ See what's really happening
✨ Tackle variability & delays
✨ Earn dual credentials (Kanban University & Scrum Alliance)
Join us Dec 18th! buff.ly/djF0E20
✨ See what's really happening
✨ Tackle variability & delays
✨ Earn dual credentials (Kanban University & Scrum Alliance)
Join us Dec 18th! buff.ly/djF0E20
Scrum Better with Kanban — Agile Pain Relief Consulting
LEARN HOW TO GET YOUR TEAM UNSTUCK. This one-day workshop will show you how to significantly strengthen your Scrum practices with proven Kanban principles. Learn when to use Scrum, when to use…
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Tired of endless meetings & work that gets stuck? 🤔 Learn how to blend Scrum with Kanban to make your team more effective.
✨ See what's really happening
✨ Tackle variability & delays
✨ Earn dual credentials (Kanban University & Scrum Alliance)
Join us Dec 18th! buff.ly/djF0E20
✨ See what's really happening
✨ Tackle variability & delays
✨ Earn dual credentials (Kanban University & Scrum Alliance)
Join us Dec 18th! buff.ly/djF0E20
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
Take the 5-minute Agile Checkup: agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com
#Agile #Scrum
November 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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
Take the 5-minute Agile Checkup: agilepainrelief.scoreapp.com
#Agile #Scrum
The oversized product backlog. You can't even remember what the original goal was. Why it's a killer for progress and motivation, and how to use story mapping to get back on track. It’s a game-changer. youtu.be/IiWDBxingks
#ScrumTips #AgileDevelopment #Teamwork #SoftwareDevelopment
#ScrumTips #AgileDevelopment #Teamwork #SoftwareDevelopment
Tired of Product Backlog Overload? Learn Story Mapping!
Drowning in an oversized Product Backlog? Story Mapping is your life raft. Agile expert Mark Levison shows you step-by-step how to replace an overwhelming backlog with a story map that is clear and…
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The oversized product backlog. You can't even remember what the original goal was. Why it's a killer for progress and motivation, and how to use story mapping to get back on track. It’s a game-changer. youtu.be/IiWDBxingks
#ScrumTips #AgileDevelopment #Teamwork #SoftwareDevelopment
#ScrumTips #AgileDevelopment #Teamwork #SoftwareDevelopment
You know how sometimes you're just drowning in tasks, and you can't even see the point anymore? That's what a giant product backlog does to a team. Story Mapping to the rescue: youtu.be/IiWDBxingks
#AgileCoaching #ProductManagement #ScrumMaster #AgileTransformation #TechTips
#AgileCoaching #ProductManagement #ScrumMaster #AgileTransformation #TechTips
Tired of Product Backlog Overload? Learn Story Mapping!
Drowning in an oversized Product Backlog? Story Mapping is your life raft. Agile expert Mark Levison shows you step-by-step how to replace an overwhelming backlog with a story map that is clear and…
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
You know how sometimes you're just drowning in tasks, and you can't even see the point anymore? That's what a giant product backlog does to a team. Story Mapping to the rescue: youtu.be/IiWDBxingks
#AgileCoaching #ProductManagement #ScrumMaster #AgileTransformation #TechTips
#AgileCoaching #ProductManagement #ScrumMaster #AgileTransformation #TechTips
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
agilepainrelief.com/blog/gen-ai-...
#GenAI #LLM #TechReality #AgileCoaching #AIPragmatist #AIExplained
November 14, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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
agilepainrelief.com/blog/gen-ai-...
#GenAI #LLM #TechReality #AgileCoaching #AIPragmatist #AIExplained
Bureaucracy + AI = two possible futures:
✨ Streamlined services
⏳ Faster red tape
How do we make sure we get the first one?
Start with process, trust, and human decision-making.
✨ Streamlined services
⏳ Faster red tape
How do we make sure we get the first one?
Start with process, trust, and human decision-making.
Will AI Make the Federal Government More Efficient or Just More Busy?
GenAI and PredictiveAI promise greater efficiency, but speeding up workers often makes bottlenecks worse. Focus on these three things instead.
agilepainrelief.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Bureaucracy + AI = two possible futures:
✨ Streamlined services
⏳ Faster red tape
How do we make sure we get the first one?
Start with process, trust, and human decision-making.
✨ Streamlined services
⏳ Faster red tape
How do we make sure we get the first one?
Start with process, trust, and human decision-making.
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
November 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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
🎾 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...
agilepainrelief.com/blog/ai-code...
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
🎾 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...
agilepainrelief.com/blog/ai-code...
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...
agilepainrelief.com/blog/human-p...
November 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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...
agilepainrelief.com/blog/human-p...
If “everything’s a priority,” nothing is.
Product Owners: sharpen your “No” — your team will thank you.
💡 agilepainrelief.com/blog/product...
Product Owners: sharpen your “No” — your team will thank you.
💡 agilepainrelief.com/blog/product...
November 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
If “everything’s a priority,” nothing is.
Product Owners: sharpen your “No” — your team will thank you.
💡 agilepainrelief.com/blog/product...
Product Owners: sharpen your “No” — your team will thank you.
💡 agilepainrelief.com/blog/product...
⚡ 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...
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...
November 5, 2025 at 2:12 PM
⚡ 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...
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...
OpenAI more and more I see them take action that makes me say: really? Demanding information about who attended the funeral of a teen who committed suicide after a long conversation with ChatGPT.
Just gross.
512pixels.net/2025/10/im-r...
Just gross.
512pixels.net/2025/10/im-r...
I'm Really Starting to Think These OpenAI Folks Are No Good - 512 Pixels
Rebecca Bellan at TechCrunch: OpenAI reportedly asked the Raine family – whose 16-year-old son Adam Raine died by suicide after prolonged conversations with ChatGPT – for a full list of attendees…
512pixels.net
November 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
OpenAI more and more I see them take action that makes me say: really? Demanding information about who attended the funeral of a teen who committed suicide after a long conversation with ChatGPT.
Just gross.
512pixels.net/2025/10/im-r...
Just gross.
512pixels.net/2025/10/im-r...
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
These ones actually do. 📚
👉 agilepainrelief.com/blog/recomme...
#Agile #Scrum #BookTokForScrum
November 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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
These ones actually do. 📚
👉 agilepainrelief.com/blog/recomme...
#Agile #Scrum #BookTokForScrum
What happens inside GenAI when you hit send? Human simulations reveal: no thinking, no memory, no learning - just sophisticated pattern matching to predict text. Teams learn GenAI limits and abilities and that they aren't magic.
Human-Powered AI - A Fun Way to Understand How GenAI Really Works
Demystify GenAI with a hands-on simulation! See how it works mimicry, not magic
agilepainrelief.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
What happens inside GenAI when you hit send? Human simulations reveal: no thinking, no memory, no learning - just sophisticated pattern matching to predict text. Teams learn GenAI limits and abilities and that they aren't magic.
"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-...
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-...
October 31, 2025 at 1:12 PM
"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-...
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-...
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...
October 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
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...
💡 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...
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...
October 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
💡 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...
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...
Most items in oversized backlogs will never be built. Story Mapping helps you see what's valuable and let go of dead weight.
agilepainrelief.com/blog/drownin...
Take our 5-minute Agile Checkup for solutions to your biggest Scrum pains.
agilepainrelief.com/agile-checkup/
agilepainrelief.com/blog/drownin...
Take our 5-minute Agile Checkup for solutions to your biggest Scrum pains.
agilepainrelief.com/agile-checkup/
Drowning in an Oversized Product Backlog? Story Mapping Is Your Life Raft
Can you guess how many Product Backlog Items (PBIs) are in your Product Backlog right now? I’ll wait while you go look.
agilepainrelief.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Most items in oversized backlogs will never be built. Story Mapping helps you see what's valuable and let go of dead weight.
agilepainrelief.com/blog/drownin...
Take our 5-minute Agile Checkup for solutions to your biggest Scrum pains.
agilepainrelief.com/agile-checkup/
agilepainrelief.com/blog/drownin...
Take our 5-minute Agile Checkup for solutions to your biggest Scrum pains.
agilepainrelief.com/agile-checkup/
Many meetings solve problems caused by… too many meetings. 😬
Simplify the system.
Boost resilience.
🔗 agilepainrelief.com/blog/less-is...
#Agile #Simplicity #WorkSmarter
Simplify the system.
Boost resilience.
🔗 agilepainrelief.com/blog/less-is...
#Agile #Simplicity #WorkSmarter
Less is More: Creating Resilient Systems Through Simplicity
Understand how simplifying processes leads to more resilient teams. Start to identify unnecessary complexity.
agilepainrelief.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Many meetings solve problems caused by… too many meetings. 😬
Simplify the system.
Boost resilience.
🔗 agilepainrelief.com/blog/less-is...
#Agile #Simplicity #WorkSmarter
Simplify the system.
Boost resilience.
🔗 agilepainrelief.com/blog/less-is...
#Agile #Simplicity #WorkSmarter