When a client asks me about what tool I would recommend for tracking backlog items, I return with a question of my own. How distributed is the team? I should also point out that my definition of distributed means outside of one open, shared work space area and includes working from home. If the answer approaches that they’re 1/2 way around the world, then I find out if the remote team can implement stories on their own. I also probe to see if there is any sort of remote proxy for the Scrum roles of Product Owner and Scrum Master. … Continue reading →