Advanced Distributed Scrum: A concise guide to building and leading remote and hybrid Scrum Teams

Master distributed Scrum with real-world strategies and tools such as Slack, Trello, and CI/CD platforms to lead, collaborate, and deliver high-performing Agile projects, no matter where your team is located

Key Features

• Help your team succeed globally while staying grounded in Agile Values and the 2020 Scrum Guide
• Bridge async and sync work to increase alignment and team accountability
• Apply real-world strategies for leading high-performing distributed teams
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

The COVID-19 pandemic altered the way teams work, turning remote work into a common practice for Agile teams that were originally founded to be co-located, leaving teams to grapple with remote and hybrid setups. The Agile mindset, however, remains the standard for effective teamwork, and this book integrates distributed work into your Agile and Scrum Values. Advanced Distributed Scrum will guide you in harnessing the talents of global team members and overcoming the challenges of working across geographies.

Renowned Agile coach and educator Kelley O’Connell distills 25+ years of experience into this concise guide. The book begins by establishing the foundational principles of distributed Scrum, highlighting the unique roles and responsibilities within hybrid and remote environments. You’ll gain insights into the challenges faced by distributed Agile teams and explore how to cultivate a strong remote team culture, improve communication, and effectively manage conflicts in a virtual space. Finally, you'll put remote Scrum practices into action to maximize the outcomes you're aiming for.

By the end of this book, you’ll be equipped to lead and nurture high-performing distributed teams, facilitate remote ceremonies, implement remote-friendly CI/CD pipelines, and create team norms that drive engagement.

What you will learn

• Define and align remote roles for seamless collaboration
• Set up tools, workspaces, and team agreements for success
• Recruit, onboard, and integrate remote team members
• Build a strong team culture and resolve conflicts remotely
• Facilitate remote Scrum events across time zones
• Implement CI/CD pipelines in distributed environments
• Ensure security and compliance in remote Scrum setups

Who this book is for

This book is for Scrum Masters, Agile practitioners, coaches, product owners, and team leads who want to master remote and hybrid collaboration and build high-performing distributed Scrum teams. Whether you're experienced or new to leading distributed teams, this practical guide offers tools to enhance team effectiveness and continuous collaboration. A foundational understanding of Agile principles, the Agile mindset, and core frameworks is recommended to get the most value from this book.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Agile and Scrum
2. Principles of Distributed Scrum
3. Roles and Responsibilities in a Distributed Scrum Team
4. Setting Up for Remote Scrum Success
5. Recruiting and Forming a Distributed Scrum Team
6. Cultivating a Strong Remote Culture
7. Effective Communication and Working Agreements
8. Collaboration and Tools and Software
9. Collaboration Tools and Software
10. Remote Pair Programming and Code Reviews
11. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
12. Security and Compliance in Remote Work
13. Remote Sprint Planning
14. Conducting a Distributed Daily Scrum
15. Sprint Execution and Monitoring
16. Sprint Review and Retrospective

Kelley O'Connell is an internationally recognized Agile thought leader, author, and educator with a passion for helping teams and organizations thrive in an ever-changing world. With a career spanning over 25 years, Kelley has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to organizations seeking to unlock agility at scale, strengthen leadership capabilities, and empower high-performing teams. Kelley's expertise is reflected in her extensive body of work, including more than a dozen courses and titles published on global platforms such as LinkedIn Learning and Coursera, where her engaging, real-world teaching style has attracted a dedicated global audience. Her work has been translated into multiple languages, making her one of the most widely followed voices in Agile coaching and leadership education. Throughout her career, Kelley has held leadership roles at every level, guiding teams, programs, and enterprise-wide transformations across industries including healthcare, insurance, and financial services. A pioneer in leading distributed and remote teams, she has been practicing and coaching remote Agile collaboration for over two decades, well before it became mainstream. As an Agile coach and consultant, Kelley partners with organizations to align strategy with execution, foster leadership agility, and build resilient teams capable of delivering lasting business outcomes. Her approach combines practical frameworks with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, enabling clients to navigate complexity and achieve their strategic objectives. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Kelley balances her professional life with a passion for travel and global exploration, continuously drawing inspiration from cultures and teams around the world. She welcomes connections and conversations with fellow Agile practitioners and leaders via LinkedIn, where she actively shares insights, tools, and stories from the field.