How we do agile/sprints remotely - 2021-03-02

Proposal

Part of our engineering + remote work series/collection, how we do agile and sprints remotely. Will add any relevant videos to the issue in description/comments.

Questions for respondents

  • How does GitLab (the platform) enable teams to work more agilely? (Here is a blog post we published on the topic, but I'd like to know your perspective as well)
  • How does your team specifically use sprints at GitLab?
  • Do you have experience working with Agile for software development while working in an office setting, at a previous company?
  • Do you feel that GitLab's structure as an all-remote async company makes it easier for programmers to work agilely? Why or why not?
  • Thinking specifically about Agile/sprints, what are some of the benefits of working in an office setting, with your colleagues next to you? What are some of the challenges?
  • Are there any major differences between conducting a sprint/Agile software development on an in-person team vs. an all-remote, asynchronous team?
  • What are some tools, strategies that are most useful for remote, Agile software development? Any links/resources I should include in this post?
  • What advice do you have for engineers that are adopting Agile for the first time, or are working remotely for the first time?
  • What else do I need to know but haven't asked?

Some relevant links:

Checklist

  • If you have a specific publish date in mind (please allow 3 weeks' lead time)
    • Include it in the issue title and apply the appropriate milestone (e.g. Blogs October 2020)
    • Give the issue a due date of a minimum of 2 working days prior
    • If your post is likely to be >2,000 words, give a due date of a minimum of 4 working days prior
  • If time sensitive
    • Add ~"Blog: Priority" label and supplied rationale in description
    • Mention @rebecca to give her a heads up ASAP
  • If wide-spread customer impacting or sensitive, mention @nwoods to give her a heads up ASAP, apply the sensitive label, and check the PR handbook in case you need to open an announcement request instead of a blog post issue
  • If the post is about one of GitLab's Technology Partners, including integration partners, mention @TinaS, apply the Partner Marketing label, and see the blog handbook for more on third-party posts
  • If the post is about one of GitLab's customers, mention @KimLock and @FionaOKeeffe, apply the Customer Reference Program label, and see the blog handbook for more on third-party posts
  • Indicate if supporting an event or campaign
  • Indicate if this post requires additional approval from internal or external parties before publishing (please provide details in a comment)
Edited by Sara Kassabian