Agility Launchpad

Must-Reads to Level Up Your Agile Mindset and Practices

In this post, I’ll share 10 must-read books for Agile practitioners—from foundational classics to deep dives into leadership, product management, and team dynamics

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1. Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time – Jeff Sutherland

Written by one of Scrum’s co-creators, this book breaks down the origins of Scrum and how it revolutionized the way teams work. Sutherland shares real-world examples and practical takeaways, making it a great starting point for anyone new to Agile.

2. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries

While not strictly an Agile book, The Lean Startup is a must-read for anyone working in product development. It introduces the Build-Measure-Learn loop, which aligns perfectly with Agile’s iterative nature. If you’re working with startups or innovation teams, this book is gold.

3. Accelerate: The Science of Lean Software and DevOps – Nicole Forsgren, Jez Humble, Gene Kim

Ever wondered what actually makes high-performing Agile teams successful? This book is backed by years of research and provides data-driven insights on how to measure and improve software delivery performance. A must-read for Agile teams in tech.

4. Agile Estimating and Planning – Mike Cohn

If you’ve ever struggled with estimating work, this book is your best friend. Mike Cohn dives deep into story points, velocity, and planning—key skills for Scrum Masters and Product Owners.

5. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni

A must-read for Agile Coaches and leaders, this book explores the common dysfunctions that hold teams back—like lack of trust and fear of conflict—and how to overcome them. It’s written as a story, making it a super engaging read.

6. Team Topologies – Matthew Skelton & Manuel Pais

If your Agile transformation is stuck because of organizational silos, this book is a game-changer. It explains how to structure teams for better flow, faster delivery, and fewer dependencies.

7. Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love – Marty Cagan

For Agile practitioners working in product management or UX, Inspired is essential reading. It teaches you how to build products that truly meet customer needs while balancing Agile principles.

8. Extreme Programming Explained – Kent Beck

If you want to understand the roots of Agile beyond Scrum, this book on Extreme Programming (XP) is a must-read. It covers practices like pair programming, test-driven development, and continuous integration—key techniques for Agile software teams.

9. User Story Mapping – Jeff Patton

Writing good user stories is harder than it looks. This book teaches you how to structure user stories in a way that actually helps teams understand and deliver the right value.

10. Coaching Agile Teams – Lyssa Adkins

If you’re a Scrum Master or Agile Coach, this book is a must. Lyssa Adkins breaks down what it really means to be an Agile coach—not just facilitating meetings but helping teams grow, adapt, and thrive.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re new to Agile or a seasoned practitioner, these books offer valuable insights, practical strategies, and fresh perspectives to help you continuously improve.

💡 Which Agile books have had the biggest impact on you? Drop your favorites in the comments—I’m always looking for new recommendations!

🚀 Looking for hands-on Agile coaching? Reach out to me—I help teams and organizations unlock their full Agile potential.

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