12 November 2025
Reflections on the First Regional Scrum Gathering in Dubai
The first-ever Regional Scrum Gathering in Dubai marked a significant milestone for the agile community in the Middle East. This event brought together passionate practitioners and leaders focused on enterprise agility, team empowerment, and innovative product delivery approaches. Over the course of the gathering, participants engaged deeply with practical insights, networking, and learning opportunities, all aimed at strengthening agile ways of working across the region.
Π The Passion For Community Goes Deep
I’ve been passionate about nurturing the Agile community across the Greater Middle East for as long as I can remember. For me, it really began back in 2010, when my enthusiasm for community was ignited by the incredible team I had around me at the BBC. While agile ways of working were gaining momentum in organisations, there was very little happening in the way of meetups or conferences. I remember taking my team to the excellent Skills Matter sessions around 2010/11. Back then, the community was certainly more technology-focused, and it was there that my love for community events truly began.
Over the years, I’ve continued to build and grow communities. From internal agile-focused networks at the BBC and Accenture, to Agile Derby in 2011, and now our latest group at Agility Evolution UAE, where our focus is on expanding awareness of agile ways of working across the broader Middle East. From supporting the first green community shoots in Pakistan in 2018 to mentoring local practitioners in countless workshops and coaching engagements, I’ve long held a passion for creating a space where this community can come together in a meaningful way. This year, that vision became a reality with the first-ever Regional Scrum Gathering in Dubai.
Π The Depth of Learning
It wasn’t an overnight achievement. The planning took the better part of a year, and the energy to make this event the best it could be, by the organising team, was outstanding. And we were rewarded with an event that sold out.
What struck me most wasn’t only the diversity of backgrounds but how deeply focused everyone was on outcomes. Even as conversations touched on transformation, change, and organisational evolution, the practical work was firmly grounded in product development, value delivery, and team empowerment. To me, this is a fascinating signal: organisations may no longer use the term “Agile transformation,” but the principles, the drive to continuously learn, adapt, and deliver value, are alive and thriving. Perhaps the language has shifted, but the essence hasn’t changed.
Π Themes That Seeded Deep Reflection
Among the many sessions, a few themes resonated strongly:
Change and Adaptation: Agile is, first and foremost, about navigating uncertainty and responding to change. The discussions and workshops highlighted practical ways to embed adaptability into teams, workflows, and organisational culture. Change isn’t something you declare; it’s something you live, experiment with, and iterate on every day.
AI as an Enabler: Conversations around AI were energising. It’s not about replacing human judgment, but about amplifying human capability, providing insights faster, freeing up mental bandwidth for creativity, and enabling smarter decision-making across teams. AI, when thoughtfully applied, becomes a partner in accelerating learning and value creation.
Innovation and Ways of Working: From experimental approaches to product delivery to rethinking collaboration in distributed teams, the gathering underscored that innovation isn’t a one-off initiative—it’s woven into the fabric of how teams work, learn, and adapt together.
Π The Real Power of Human Connection
Beyond the sessions and workshops, the human connections made were just as powerful. Networking wasn’t just connecting on LinkedIn; it was about exchanging ideas, challenging assumptions, and building the foundation for a resilient and collaborative Agile community in the region.
Looking back, this gathering feels like a long-awaited milestone and also a starting point. It reminded me that while tools, trends, and technologies evolve, the heart of Agile is human: curiosity, adaptability, collaboration, and courage. Seeing this community come together, share knowledge, and explore the future of Agile in the Greater Middle East was both humbling and energising.
Thank you to the organising team and the passionate young community volunteer members who made this possible. Your dedication transformed a long-held vision into reality. Here’s to the next chapter: stronger teams, smarter ways of working, and a thriving, connected Agile community across the region.
And stay tuned for an even bigger event in 2026!
Image Credit: https://unsplash.com/@dalton_
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About The Author:
For me, organisational change isn’t just about adopting Agile practices, it’s about challenging deep-rooted beliefs and shifting how people and organisations think, feel, and work. True transformation begins on the inside.
I’m a Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC), Certified Scrum Trainer (CST), and ICF-accredited coach with over 19 years of experience helping organisations navigate the complexities of agile transformation, product development, and leadership evolution. My work spans industries including government, fintech, aerospace, pharmaceutical, media and retail, supporting everyone from teams to executives.
Over the past several years, my focus has expanded across the Greater Middle East, where I’ve helped foster thriving Agile communities, led multiple events, and co-founded two regional conferences.
Whether I’m coaching leaders, training teams, or speaking at conferences, my goal remains the same: to support people in letting go of outdated, industrial-age structures and embrace more adaptive, human-centred ways of working and being future ready.
If you’re a leader, organisation, or community working to drive meaningful change in your context, I’d love to connect.
