Welcome back to the Scrum Team Reset series.
In this free three-part training, we’re tackling the biggest challenges that hold Scrum teams back—people problems, broken processes, and external pressures.
If you missed our previous posts, I highly recommend starting with part one: From Tasks to Teamwork where we explored how to build a stronger, more collaborative Scrum team, and part two: Making Scrum Work For You, where we discussed how to refine Scrum processes to fit your team’s unique needs.
Now, in our final installment, we’re addressing one of the biggest roadblocks to successful Scrum: organizational pressures. Even the best teams with well-defined processes can struggle when external demands disrupt their workflow. In this post, we’ll dive into how to work more effectively with stakeholders, manage shifting priorities, and protect your team’s ability to deliver value.
The Organization Problem: Why External Pressures Hold Teams Back
Scrum teams often find themselves caught between their agile aspirations and the realities of organizational demands. Stakeholders expect predictability, fixed timelines, and firm commitments—often conflicting with the iterative nature of Scrum. This misalignment leads to frustration on both sides: teams feel pressured to overcommit, while stakeholders become disillusioned when expectations aren’t met.
In last year’s Scrum Team Challenge survey, we heard a lot about these external pressures:
Executives push for precise deadlines without considering the realities of iterative development, making it difficult to balance quality with speed."
Work is constantly added mid-sprint, leaving us scrambling to keep up instead of focusing on meaningful value.
Leaders don’t always understand how Scrum works, so they have wildly different expectations of what’s realistic.
The reality is that both sides need to succeed together.
To bridge this gap, teams need to not only improve their processes, but also increase collaboration and trust between development teams and the broader organization.
Watch Video 3 Now:
How Scrum Teams and Stakeholders Succeed Together
Build Stronger Stakeholder Relationships (Without Losing Your Sanity)
In the final video of our Scrum Team Reset series, I’ll show you how to:
- Regain stakeholder confidence and avoid the pressure of unrealistic expectations
- Set the right sprint expectations to improve long-term team success
- Handle last-minute work without letting it derail your team’s progress
These strategies aren’t about fighting against your organization—they’re about working with it in a way that protects your team’s ability to deliver real value.
Ready to Reduce the Chaos and Regain Control?
If your team feels like it’s constantly reacting to external pressures instead of making meaningful progress, this video is for you. You’ll get practical strategies to shift from firefighting to focused delivery—without damaging stakeholder relationships.
Want to Take It Further?
The Scrum Team Reset series will give you practical steps to improve your team’s collaboration, processes, and stakeholder relationships. But if you’re ready for a complete transformation, our Working on a Scrum Team course is the next step.
Working on a Scrum Team is a live, two-day interactive course designed for entire Scrum teams. It ensures every member has a shared understanding of Scrum and can work together effectively.
With expert facilitation and hands-on exercises, teams leave with the tools they need to consistently deliver high-quality work.
Learn more about the course here.
Last update: February 19th, 2025
