Helping Build High-Performing Development Teams.
Welcome! I’m Mark Bass — an Agile Leader, Technology Coach, and published author with over 20 years of industry experience, including 10 years dedicated to leading cross-functional teams to sustainable success.
20+
Years Industry Experience
10+
Years Leading Agile Teams
14
Specialized Certifications
Navigating the Agile Landscape with Purpose & Empathy
As a Technology Leader and Agile Coach, I bring over 20 years of industry experience including 10 years dedicated to leading cross-functional teams to success.
My expertise lies in coaching teams to adopt and optimize the Agile mindset, Agile methodologies, facilitation, conflict management, and delivery optimization to foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
Throughout my career, I have guided teams through Agile transformations, from initial assessments to delivering measurable improvements in the delivery of value. My approach focuses on building a culture of transparency, continuous improvement, and adaptability to deliver true value to customers.
In addition, I am passionate about mentoring and coaching team members, empowering them to improve their skills and capabilities, and fostering an environment of continuous learning and growth.
Team Leadership
Coaching cross-functional software teams to achieve self-organization, high morale, and delivery excellence.
Scrum & Kanban
Expertise in limiting WIP, optimizing flow and maximizing value delivery across teams and organizations.
Facilitation
Conflict management, blameless problem definition, Design Thinking workshops, and effective delegation.
AI & Agentic Teams
AI prompt engineering and orchestrating AI agents as functional members of Agile delivery teams.
Professional Designations, Certifications & Accreditations
Over a decade of continuous professional learning across Scrum Alliance, International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile), Project Management Institute (PMI), Kanban University, and more.
ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Coaching
ICAgile Certified Professional
Certified Scrum Professional
Advanced Certified ScrumMaster
Certified ScrumMaster
Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master
Disciplined Agile Scrum Master
Kanban System Design
Design Thinking
Problem Definition
Coaching for Change
Agile Coaching Skills
AI Prompt Engineering
AI for Scrum Masters
Published Works on Agile Leadership
I have authored books to help Agile leaders, Scrum Masters, and teams navigate real-world delivery transformations with pragmatic clarity.
The Agile Journey: From Manifesto to Mainstream
The story of Agile is a complex one, a journey from a small, radical idea in a Utah ski resort to a global movement. In the rush to scale and certify, did we risk losing sight of what made Agile so revolutionary? This book traces the origins, foundational frameworks (XP, Kanban), enterprise expansion, and reminds us: all the tools and certifications are merely scaffolding. The true power of agility lies in how we treat the people we do it with.
A Smooth Transition: Converting Your Team from Scrum to Kanban
A clear, concise guide for Agile practitioners contemplating moving their team from Scrum to Kanban. Candidly discusses strengths, limitations, when to transition vs. when to keep Scrum, setting WIP limits, designing boards, managing resistance, and tracking key flow metrics including Lead Time, Cycle Time, Throughput, and the Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD).
Let's Talk Agile
Looking to guide your team through an Agile transformation, or arrange coaching for your organization? Reach out directly.
Phone
(780) 953-3179LinkedIn Profile
linkedin.com/in/mark-bass-19b006aLocation
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • Available Remotely
Send a Message to Mark
Inquire about team coaching, speaking, or agile transition advisory.