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Quick Wins

2-minute reads, 5-minute fixes. Tactical solutions for standup dysfunction, priority chaos, and meeting overload. No theory, no fluff, just what works.

3 Remote Retrospective Anti-Patterns That Kill Progress

Aug 4, 2025

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2 min read

3 Remote Retrospective Anti-Patterns That Kill Progress

3 remote retrospective anti-patterns keep distributed teams stuck in dysfunction cycles. Here's how to recognize and fix them before they kill progress.

5 Signs Your Remote Retrospective Is Just Video Call Theater

Aug 4, 2025

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2 min read

5 Signs Your Remote Retrospective Is Just Video Call Theater

Is your remote retrospective fixing problems or just making everyone feel heard? 5 warning signs you're running video call theater instead of driving change.

How to Assign Remote Retrospective Action Items That Actually Get Done

Aug 4, 2025

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2 min read

How to Assign Remote Retrospective Action Items That Actually Get Done

Your remote retrospective action items never get implemented because they're too vague and ignore timezones. Here's how to create distributed accountability.

The 5 Whys Technique for Remote Work Problems

Aug 4, 2025

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2 min read

The 5 Whys Technique for Remote Work Problems

Surface the root causes of your remote team's recurring problems with this adapted 5 Whys technique designed specifically for distributed work dysfunction.

The Remote Retrospective Questions That Surface Real Problems

Aug 4, 2025

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2 min read

The Remote Retrospective Questions That Surface Real Problems

Stop asking "how was async communication?" Start asking questions that surface real remote work problems. These 6 uncomfortable questions drive improvement.

Requirements That Work

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

Requirements That Work

"Make it user-friendly" isn't a spec. "Improve the experience" isn't actionable. You build different mental models then act surprised when they don't match.

Scope Creep Defense

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

Scope Creep Defense

Don't eliminate scope changes. Handle them intelligently with clear boundaries protecting what matters while allowing flexibility where it adds value.

Stop Manually Updating Reports

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

Stop Manually Updating Reports

Copying data between spreadsheets. Manually updating reports. Sending the same emails weekly. You're a human API with terrible error handling.

OKR Reality Check

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

OKR Reality Check

You're measuring your way to irrelevance. Spending more time tracking metrics than improving what gets measured.

Process Bullshit Detector

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

Process Bullshit Detector

You've got processes for creating processes. Forms to request forms. Meetings about having better meetings. It's bureaucracy performing bureaucracy.

Priority Defense Framework

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

Priority Defense Framework

Stakeholders calling everything "critical" isn't strategic thinking—it's decision paralysis with corporate jargon. You need a defense system.

The Backlog Cleanup Method

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

The Backlog Cleanup Method

Every feature request becomes a ticket. Every meeting generates three more "good ideas." Your backlog is digital hoarding disguised as planning.

Status Updates That Executives Actually Read

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

Status Updates That Executives Actually Read

You're burying "we're 3 weeks behind" in paragraph seven. Executives scan for one thing: should I be worried?

Standup Questions That Actually Work

Jul 28, 2025

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1 min read

Standup Questions That Actually Work

"What did you do yesterday?" isn't project management; it's surveillance disguised as teamwork. Teams waste 15 minutes daily on status that belongs in Slack.

Quick Wins: Bite-Sized Solutions for Your Workplace Frustrations

Jun 19, 2025

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3 min read

Quick Wins: Bite-Sized Solutions for Your Workplace Frustrations

Get bite-sized solutions for your biggest workplace frustrations. Quick fixes for meetings, communication, backlogs, and process dysfunction that actually work.

The Cranky PM

❤️‍🩹 Fixer of Broken Product Teams

Weekly Anti-BS newsletter: Tools, templates & truth bombs for when “Agile process” becomes a circus.

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