Maarten Dalmijn: Scrum, Agile, Earning Trust, Client Dynamics & Agile Contracts | Pulse by Intuji #13

Pulse

In this insightful episode of Pulse by Intuji, Julian Wallis speaks with Maarten Dalmijn, author of Driving Value with Sprint Goals. Maarten is a renowned consultant, speaker, and trainer specialising in Agile, Scrum, and Product Management. Together, they discuss the importance of sprint goals, how to beat the feature factory, and how businesses can drive value in an Agile environment.
Whether you're a product manager, Scrum master, or a business leader interested in modernising your team’s approach to digital transformation, this episode provides practical advice on aligning teams with project goals, stakeholder management, and handling the complexities of digital projects.
Topics Covered:

00:00 - Introduction
Julian introduces Maarten Dalmijn and welcomes him to the podcast.
04:05 - Maarten's Career and Background
Maarten shares how he transitioned from a full-time job in product management to becoming an Agile consultant and thought leader.
05:28 - The Importance of Sprint Goals
Maarten explains the concept of sprint goals and how they help teams focus on outcomes rather than just output.
07:22 - Aligning Sprint Goals with Project Objectives
Julian and Maarten discuss the challenge of aligning sprint goals with larger project goals and stakeholder expectations.
09:39 - Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
The importance of trust and how effective communication can improve stakeholder alignment and project success.
12:16 - Building Trust in Agile Projects
Julian and Maarten delve into building trust through predictability, transparency, and delivering tangible results.
18:00 - Handling Complex Projects and Managing Expectations
Maarten shares his experience managing large-scale projects and how to navigate the challenges of shifting priorities.
24:00 - Agile for Large vs. Small Projects
The conversation turns to when Agile works best and when traditional project management may be more suitable.
30:15 - Dealing with Scope Changes in Agile Projects
Maarten explains how to manage scope changes while maintaining productivity and aligning with overall project goals.
36:10 - The Role of Voice of the Customer in Agile
Maarten discusses how technology and AI can enhance customer feedback loops and improve decision-making processes.
42:18 - Fixed Price vs. Agile Contracts
Julian and Maarten explore the challenges and opportunities in working with fixed-price contracts versus Agile-based agreements.
50:00 - Agile Dogma: When Agile Doesn’t Work
Maarten discusses the pitfalls of blindly following Agile frameworks and how to adapt Agile principles to different project contexts.
56:35 - Final Thoughts on Agile and Business Success
Maarten shares his insights on the future of Agile and its growing importance for businesses seeking to rem