The State of (Zombie) Scrum Workshop - 1 Day

In 2020, we — Christiaan Verwijs, Johannes Schartau, and Barry Overeem — published the Zombie Scrum Survival Guide. With the world in the grip of another global epidemic, public workshops were off the table.

Now, five years later, it feels more important than ever to explore the state of (Zombie) Scrum. In many organizations, the value of Scrum is being questioned, Scrum Masters are under pressure, and Agile Coaches are caught in the middle, trying to keep the spirit alive while navigating growing skepticism and fatigue.

So, it’s time to act. This isn’t a Scrum-bashing session, a pity party, or a theoretical training designed to hand you a shiny new certificate. Instead, let's have an honest conversation about where we find ourselves and what we can do to improve your team(s), your organization, and yourself.

Good news: We do hand out stickers. 😊

This workshop is packed with practical insights and opportunities to learn from others. You’ll discover, explore, and learn how to put things into practice!

• Discover the state of Scrum based on data from over 15,000 teams.
• Explore how the broader Agile movement is shifting.
• Get familiar with our latest scientific research and academic insights.
• Explore team effectiveness to understand the factors that influence team performance.
• Use our teamwork quality model to uncover whether you’re truly operating as a team.
• Practice with the Agile Mindset model, which emphasizes learning agility, self-management, and organizational culture.
• Learn to use Action Research to tackle team and organizational challenges.

By the end of the day, we’ll have moved through the flow of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. What can we as a community do to make things better? What small steps could you take to start moving in the right direction?

Liberating Structures, of course! We’ll focus on those rooted in complexity science, including Critical Uncertainties, Wicked Questions, and Ecocycle Planning or Panarchy — all designed to help groups navigate uncertainty and complexity. You’ll also experience supportive structures, such as Troika Consulting, 15% Solutions, and What, So What, Now What? (W³) to create space for reflection, peer coaching, and practical next steps.

In addition, you’ll experience the flow of Action Research: a practical, collaborative approach to tackling complex problems. Instead of jumping to quick fixes, it blends inquiry, reflection, and experimentation to create meaningful, lasting change.

This workshop is designed for Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, and anyone navigating the realities of Scrum within their organization. Whether you’re deep into an Agile transformation or just trying to keep your team on track, if you care about making Scrum or Agile work, this day is for you.

• Experience a high-energy day facilitated by Barry Overeem, Johannes Schartau, and Christiaan Verwijs (schedule permitting): no boring PowerPoint, no Agile theater, no buzzword bingo, and no dodging reality.
• Get a digital bundle of all workshop materials: posters, exercises, and more.
• Learn from the real-life experiences of everyone in the room. With 30–35 participants from different countries and organizations, expect a rich mix of insights, perspectives, and inspiration.
• Six weeks after the workshop, we’ll host an online meetup to share how your improvements worked in practice. What did you try? What happened? Let’s learn from each other’s experiences.

The workshop takes place at the Volkshotel in Amsterdam—a great spot, and a solid choice if you’re looking for accommodation. We start at 9:00 sharp (doors open at 8:30) and wrap up around 16:30, never later than 17:00. Afterward, we’ll stick around for some snacks and drinks, so if you’ve got time to hang out, we’d love that. If you have any dietary restrictions, just let us know in advance so we can inform the Volkshotel.

Yes! While booking through Eventbrite is the easiest way—you’ll get a valid invoice automatically—we’re happy to send a manual invoice if needed. Just contact us with:

• Your company name and address
• A purchase order (if applicable)
• Your VAT number (for EU-based companies)

VAT cannot be reverse-charged. Tickets for public events are exempt from VAT reversal. We pay the VAT on your behalf, but you can reclaim it through your local tax authority using your invoice as proof.

As The Liberators, we aim to liberate teams from ineffective work practices by empowering them to shape their future. To achieve this, we create products to unleash the superpowers of (Agile) teams worldwide. We share a wide variety of content and support a community that learns and grows together.

We don't like fine print either, but please check out our (short) and . They apply to all registrations made through Eventbrite, whether you book directly, ask us to do it, or have someone else handle it for you.

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