As the latest iteration of The Scrum Guide (2020) says:

"The Scrum framework, as outlined herein, is immutable. While implementing only parts of Scrum is possible, the result is not Scrum. Scrum exists only in its entirety and functions well as a container for other techniques, methodologies, and practices."

The Scrum Guide: https://www.scrum.org/resources/scrum-guide

What this means is: when we pull pieces of Scrum — like sprints or retrospectives — out of context, and apply them without the structure or accountability that gives them meaning, we lose the very thing that makes agile effective.

It's not just ineffective, it's no longer Scrum nor really agile. It's jargon.

Our Ways of Working

Agile that’s applied — not abstract.

Agile has grown far beyond its roots in software and tech, and for good reason. Its adaptability makes it incredibly valuable in complex, people-centred work like social change, community building, and public service.

But one of the most widely used agile frameworks, Scrum, is often misunderstood or diluted when transferred into new settings, such as the Charity sector.

In fact, it dismantles hierarchies in favour of shared ownership, cross-functionality, and team-level responsibility.

That’s why PlaceBased Agile is against building exclusive agile leader clubs or groups.

Such exclusivity goes against to the agile manifesto and how Scrum and other agile methodologies work.

Doing so actively recreates problematic work culture that agile was created to address.

Scrum isn’t a leadership framework.

At PlaceBased Agile, I employ and respect the Scrum framework. But more importantly, I help your team apply it carefully, practically, and in a way that works for your organisation. Not as contextless jargon. Not as a leadership exercise. But as a working rhythm you build into your real work.

I follow the Scrum Guide framework — not fragments of it.

As the Scrum Guide says,“Scrum exists only in its entirety." You can’t run a single retrospective and call it agile. You can’t label any workshop a “sprint.” I respect the integrity of Scrum, while showing you how it’s applied in your context.

Agile is adaptive. But it’s not a free-for-all.

I don’t offer courses that leave you with good intentions and no plan. I work inside your projects with your people (as agile is about the team not about leadership nor hierarchies) to help build agile rhythms into real delivery. This means:

Co-creating sprint backlogs from your actual priorities
Running retrospectives with your team, not about them and not top down
Helping teams make visible progress toward meaningful goals

It’s agile you do, not just learn about.

Agile as it's meant to be done: through action and for teams

Trusted Scrum Help

I am a Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) by Scrum.org. Which involves embedding Scrum in organisations and teams and promoting agile ways of working.

To quote from Scrum.org, "Professional Scrum Masters demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Scrum and their ability to apply it in real-world situations."

The PSM I certification is recognised as a certification that demonstrates "a fundamental level of Scrum mastery." As a PSM I certification holder, I have proven that I understand Scrum as described in the Scrum Guide and how to apply Scrum in Scrum Teams."

PlaceBased Agile works with orgs making differences in their communities. It's here to bring structured, tested ways of working to charities and community organisations at the local level, the places where real change actually happens.

What this means...

Using certified Agile frameworks with real-world adaptation — not off-the-shelf training
Knowing exactly why agile works for charities — and why traditional methods fail
You won’t leave with a certificate. You’ll leave with a stronger team and clarity about what agile looks like for your org.

While others focus only on national charities, we’re proud to work with:

Local and regional charities and CICs building new services
Local authorities exploring agile commissioning
Funders testing cross-sector collaboration
Grassroots teams creating place-based change

Agile doesn’t belong to any one kind of organisation, nor is it meant as leadership club or a certification for clout. It belongs to any team committed to learning and delivering better. It can be embedded at any level.

Working with PlaceBased Agile:

You get a partner who:

Respects your context
Builds trust in the process
Stays with you through the work
Helps your team learn by doing — not by watching slides

Some charity-sector offers use Scrum language without clear agile training or reference to the framework itself.

This allows "antipatterns" to creep in, leading to frameworks contrary to Scrum principles like charity agile leader's clubs, positioning Scrum as a top-down framework.

On Scrum antipatterns see: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/anti-patterns-scrum-master

Or check out Stefan Wolper's fantastic book: The Scrum Anti-Patterns Guide: Challenges Every Scrum Team Faces and How to Overcome Them (The Professional Scrum Series) (https://www.informit.com/store/scrum-anti-patterns-guide-challenges-every-scrum-team-9780137977963)