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Apr 21, 2026 21 min

Agile Operatimg Model

from Better Ways of Working Hosted by Dave Borzillo

Is Your Agile Transformation Just Agile Theater? 🎭 We have all seen it: A leader launches dozens of Scrum teams, but the underlying system remains the same. 🛑 The result is often that the system eventually fights back and reverts to its old state. In the latest episode of Better Ways of Working, I sat down with Matthew Jacobs, Chief Product Owner at Scrum Inc., to discuss why most Agile transformations are actually operating model transformations in disguise 🕵️‍♂️. If you want agility to last longer than the leader who started the initiative, you must change the core blueprint of how your organization delivers value 🏗️. Key Takeaways from our conversation: The Snap-Back Effect: Why transformations often fail the moment a new leader takes over 🔄. This occurs because the original organizational rules were never actually updated to support the new ways of working. Customer-Driven Value: The importance of the Golden Thread, which ensures every person in the organization understands how their daily work contributes to the overall mission 🧵. Modular Design: Why a modular organizational chart is the only sustainable way to deliver work iteratively without becoming overwhelmed by coordination dependencies 🧩. Principle-Driven Policy: Moving away from check-the-box rules toward outcomes that provide teams with the freedom to innovate ✨. Agile is not just a method for managing software; it is a superior way of organizing to get any complex task done—from viral research to aerospace engineering 🚀.

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