Agile Open Forum - Hosted on Discord

David Bulkin is the Managing Director and Head of Training Services at Grow-Lean. He has 40 years of product development experience and stays current by continuing to engage in product development. In 2001, his eBanking Team at JP Morgan Chase implemented Agile practices under the guidance of Kent Beck, the father of Extreme Programming (XP). David left the bank to help grow the Agile community.

David supports teams and individuals in their Agile journeys as a mentor and coach. Unlike most trainers and coaches, he remains actively involved in product development, taking on roles such as designer, coder, tester, Product Owner, and Scrum Master. His hands-on experience and high-energy level ensure that you get practical and applicable insights in a fun, lively environment.

David's extensive background spans various industries, including manufacturing, marketing, sales, finance, and more. David started developing in 1984 when he built a package to simulate Major League Baseball games and run a fantasy league. After that, he worked on various development projects for the US DoD. In the early 1990s, he built an Internet startup that delivered some of the first profitable sites on the web. In the late 1990s, he joined JP Morgan Chase, where, in 2001, he led eBanking development using agile methods.

He was an independent reviewer of the original PMI-ACP body of knowledge and contributed to the Certified Scrum Master Exam questions. His thought leadership in 2009 on progressive elaboration for Agile requirements influenced what is now known as refinement, which was incorporated into Scrum in 2011.

David has trained over 20,000 students and influenced thousands more through public speaking and coaching. He delivers various training courses, including CSM, A-CSM, CSPO, and A-CSPO, and has trained over 10,000 students with the Scrum Alliance. His sessions are practical, energetic and fun, and based on his experiences in big and small organizations, David customizes the training for your needs so you get a practical perspective that can significantly boost your career.

Bilingual Agile Coach & Trainer with over 10+ years of successful experience in software development and Agile methodologies. Recognized consistently for performance excellence and contributions to success in various industries. Skilled in building rapport with leadership and stakeholders, building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and the ability to think outside the box.

In 2020, Chris began his agile journey with Grow-Lean by obtaining the CSPO. Since then, he has consistently collaborated with the Grow-Lean team to enhance alumni services. Chris's joint efforts have led to the introduction of innovative tools, such as online quizzes, which not only prepare students for certification exams but also enrich their overall learning experience. Committed to supporting both alumni and the broader agile community, Chris English and Grow-Lean have initiated complimentary services and events. Among these are the Agile Open Forum and the Agile Open Community, both designed to assist individuals regardless of where they stand in their agile journey.

I discovered Computers and Technology very early; playing Chip’s Challenge with my father using a Windows 95 Compaq Laptop is my earliest memory as a 3-year-old. The excitement of technology and gaming hasn’t waned in over 26 years.

I love enabling customers with unique solutions that support their product, compliance, and business goals. My favorite part of the day is providing customers with top-tier engagement and partnership and seeing the impact of my efforts on their programs. Receiving 5-star reviews while increasing contract billables multi-fold is my proudest achievement. Supporting remote, diverse, and multicultural teams as a Program Manager is exceptionally satisfying.

It is fascinating to navigate through complex requirements, be it for 3D Printing tools and techniques, Agile practices, or PCI DSS Compliance requirements. Leveraging institutional and instinctual knowledge and relevant data helps me efficiently support my customers’ needs. My success, skills, and growth so far can be easily attributed to my focus on ensuring my customer needs are prioritized to be best of my ability.

Humankind cannot gain anything without giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. These words have rung true for me for many years. From the first move away from family in Mumbai to the United States for grad school to my first job in Virginia, far away from close friends, another move to Canada last year. It has been a remarkable romantic experience for me personally and professionally. Not to mention the fantastic craft beer scene in Illinois, Virginia, and now Ontario!