A manager responsible for the delivery of Project X asks the team that will do the work to estimate a first release date. That is defined as the next sprint goal. The team plans to meet in the large conference room to estimate the backlog and create the first iteration of a release plan. Within the first interaction with a client, the manager tells me she would be happy if we could just get the team to deliver upon the milestones and release dates. After inquiring as to who sets those milestones she stated that some times the company imposed dates, but that usually the team was asked to estimate when the project would be complete. That it was only after missing several deadlines that the company executives would start imposing drop-dead dates. This sounds like a client I can delight. 1st Objective: Predictable Team After training and workshops to teach a team many managers have goals or key performance metrics they wish to achieve. I rather don'...