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Brand Zietsman

Johannesburg, South Africa

About

27 834552903
Title: Agile Consultant

Brand Zietsman

I started my career as a Mechanical Engineer and after a couple of years moved to the world of software development in 1998. The only common thread, the reason I studied  engineering, is the act of "making" or "creating" something new. The initial focus of my software work was process related, helping others to "make". I came to value people more than process through this work. I was introduced to Scrum in 2007 by a colleague and became a CSM in 2010.

The authors and coaches that have the biggest influence on my thinking are Peter Hundermark in terms of general guidance with Scrum; Stephen Denning and Mary Poppendieck in terms of how they reframe management; Eric Ries in terms thinking about the product lifecycle; Roman Pichler in terms of defining products and Tobias Mayer in terms of his focus on people.

I have introduced Scrum to a number of companies. The first while still wearing a Project Manager title and one as a Head of Development. Through this work I came to value the change in culture that is often required by an organisation to succeed with Scrum and other Agile practices.

I am passionate about learning through involvement in the community and have introduced countless colleagues to the Regional Scrum User Group.

I believe that Scrum is one of the most human friendly systems of working. It enables happier human beings to be more creative and to deliver greater value to the organisations that they work with. 

Experience and services

  • Career history

    • 2016-02-01 - present - IQ Business (Agile Consultant)
    • 2003-05-02 - 2010-08-31 - 3fifteen (Project Manager/Program Manager)
    • 2010-09-01 - 2012-01-08 - IQ Business (Project Manager)
    • 2012-01-09 - 2012-06-30 - IQ Business (Scrum Master/Coach)
    • 2012-07-01 - 2016-01-31 - MiWay Insurance Ltd (Head of Development)