Returning to the Heart of Agile

Hear from keynote speaker Alistair Cockburn on why his speech at Scrum Day Madison 2025 will focus on Returning to the Heart of Agile.

We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Alistair Cockburn (pronounced co-burn)—co-author of the Agile Manifesto and one of the “42 Greatest Software Professionals of All Time” (2020)—will deliver the afternoon keynote at Scrum Day Madison 2025 on October 16, 2025.

A world-recognized expert in Agile, project management, software architecture, use cases, and Agile development, Alistair has shaped how teams around the world work and learn. He co-authored both the Agile Manifesto and the Project Management Declaration of Inter-dependence, and since 2015 has focused on expanding Agile practices beyond software to every kind of initiative—from social impact projects to governments to families.

Keynote: Returning to the Heart of Agile—Collaborate, Deliver, Reflect, Improve

Agile has become overcomplicated in many organizations. In this session, Alistair brings us back to essentials with four memorable words: Collaborate, Deliver, Reflect, Improve. He’ll show how this simple “compass” guides teams and organizations toward real effectiveness—focusing on people, feedback, and meaningful improvement over process for its own sake.

To honor the audience, Alistair will keep the introduction brief and devote more than half the session to your questions—a rare chance to engage directly with one of Agile’s original signers about what matters most to your teams right now.

Why you should be there

• Learn a practical, human-centered way to cut through Agile complexity

• Explore how to apply the Heart of Agile in your unique culture and context

• Bring your toughest questions for a lively, interactive discussion

Save your seat: Tickets are available now at www.scrumday.org.For more on Alistair’s work, visit alistaircockburn.com.

Join us in Madison on October 16 for a keynote that returns Agile to what truly moves teams forward.