About Ravi
Ravi Verma is a Public Speaker, Agile Coach, Scrum.org Professional Scrum Trainer, Evidence Based Management Consultant and Blogger with a passion for helping teams recapture the magic of making I.T. As the Founder and Chief Org Whisperer at The Org Whisperers, Ravi blends ideas from the world of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Organizational Development to develop strong teams and inspiring leaders at all levels of an organization. He recently co-founded his second startup - Al Dente, a platform that helps Agile Coach’s and organizations empirically improve business outcomes in tandem with Agile delivery frameworks like Scrum.
Ravi has around 25 years of Software Delivery and Consulting Experience including Agile Enablement for companies ranging from 10 people to 10,000 people. He is able to earn the trust and respect of C-Level executives and help them understand how the application of Agile Principles, Values and Practices can become a powerful means to achieving sustainable competitive advantage.
Ravi is a creative thought leader and has created the Sabotagile Manifesto and Sabotagile Principles and co-created the Software Code of Ethics. As an active member of the Agile Community, he co-founded the ROI-Based Agile Coaching and co-created the Scrum.org Scrum Pulse Webinar Series & Scrum Tapas Video Series.
Ravi is a compelling communicators and used the power of story-teller to make people lean-in and learn the what, why and how of Agility. You can get a sense for Ravi’s story-telling approach by watching his videos on The Org Whisperers' YouTube Channel – and by reading his blogs.
He is a certified trainer for Sharon Bowman’s “Training From The Back of the Room” courses and integrates brain-friendly learning into his training. Ravi is also a Certified ROI Professional from the ROI Institute and integrates ROI Based Learning techniques into his training, coaching and consulting. He is committed to becoming a better coach and has completed 104 hours of rigorous training on Co-Active Coaching from the Co-Active institute , a 6 month coaching program and passed a demanding exam to become a Certified Co-Active Professional Coach.
As a grateful immigrant to the USA, Ravi felt a strong urge to give back to the country that adopted him and co-founded a non-profit – Agile For Patriots that provides free Agile training, certification, experience, mentoring and coaching to US Military Veterans and Spouses. As of May 2023, Agile For Patriots has helped 70+ applicants graduate from the program.
Ravi has a Bachelors Degree in Computer Engineering from R.V.C.E., Bangalore and a Masters in Entrepreneurship from SMU, Dallas. Ravi received a Certificate in Organizational Development from DePaul University and Linkage Inc and is an MBTI Certified Practitioner, with a Certificate in Advanced Conflict Resolution from Kilmann Diagnostics. He has also been trained in facilitating workshops for leading organizational change based on the book “Leading Bold Change” by Dr. John Kotter workshops.
He lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas and his favorite ways to recharge are passing time with his family, going for long walks in his neighborhood and watching NBA, Golf and crime-dramas all on mute with closed-captioning.
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What students say about Ravi
Aug 8, 2023
Lucid and engaging
Ravi makes the class interesting with all the real world examples. He paces the training so to accommodate all kinds of learners. He engages with the participants by encouraging them to share from their context to maximise learning.
Aug 5, 2023
Awesome
Awesome, very impressive and would like to attend all the coming workshops. Ravi was very co-operative and inspiring. Workshop was very engaging and knowledgeable. Live examples shared by Ravi was very relatable to real world scenario.
Jun 10, 2023
Great class with viable real world…
Great class with viable real world applications for challenges the Product Owners deal with on a daily basis.
Jun 10, 2023
Excellent presenter
Excellent presenter, have in-depth experience and is able to explain well the topic of discussion
Jun 9, 2023
Great course taught by Ravi
Great course taught with an understanding of Scrum principles. The course was well-planned and I felt engaged throughout.
Apr 21, 2023
Amazing Training
Amazing Training. Very intimately revealed the unique multifaceted application of Scrum in an understandable and comprehensible way.
Apr 9, 2023
Amazing interactive course
Amazing interactive course! Ravi is an incredible instructor, and I am blown away by the amount of material and learning covered in just a few days. The course was super engaging, and I looked forward to rejoining by cohort every day. Highly recommended, especially as an exercise in team building and teaching!
Apr 8, 2023
True example of what a great teacher is!
Ravi is truly an amazing teacher. Not only from providing us with the right tools, challenges and information but also gave the class a realistic perspective of applying Scrum in real-world scenarios. Ravi does not care if one knows a lot about the topic or not before entering the class, he'll provide great coursework for all to learn regardless of expertise level. Thank you Ravi for helping us reach success and better understanding.
Apr 8, 2023
Scrum Experience
Class was enhanced with experience-based projects to help students further understand the realities of Scrum.
Apr 8, 2023
Such a great blend of real world…
Such a great blend of real world examples and fast paced practical applications that kept us on our toes.
Jan 18, 2023
One of a kind!!!
PSM II class delivered by Ravi Verma is excellent. Ravi sent pre-read material to the entire class. With this approach, when the class started, the class is already in the next level. The students who are part of Ravi's class are very experienced and knowledgeable which helped me in learning from Ravi & the students.
If you are serious in taking your Scrum Master / Coaching journey to next level this class is for you! Ravi is very kind and supportive. He also offers 2 free 1 hour sessions after the class for knowledge sharing.
Ravi saves all the zoom chat conversations in a separate slack channel which can be referred later. This shows his caring for the class and the subject. I am lucky to meet Ravi through Scrum.org and if you are part of Ravi's class consider yourself lucky!
Dec 19, 2022
The trainer was awesome
The trainer was awesome. The environment was great leaning and the class was fun
Oct 24, 2022
Effective. Engaging. Experiential
PSPO Advanced class by Ravi Verma is extremely valuable. Ravi is passionate and cares very much towards his students' learning. The class is mixed with various Training from Back of The Room techniques where the entire class has learnt the product management concepts by doing.
Ravi was effective in delivering class in a collaborative way , engaging the entire class in delivering a fantastic product oriented class. Besides this, I am fortunate to learn some professional coaching techniques from Ravi. Eg: AWGO - Articulate What’s going On
There were many power lines and takeaways from the class. Eg: “Done” is beginning of Learning
I strongly recommend Ravi Verma’s classes if you want to reach the next level. Ravi genuinely cares about his students and their learning.
Oct 23, 2022
Awesome PSPO-Advanced class
Awesome PSPO-Advanced class
Ravi: thank you so much for a great training experience! You made it very easy for everyone to understand the concepts and principles. It was awesome for everyone to apply these right away in the fun group assignments with case studies. Your positive, humble and open attitude made it much more fun to learn about advanced Product Ownership and Product Management.
I would definitely recommend attending your class!
Sep 17, 2022
Awesome SPS Course with Ravi Verma
Ravi is a very experienced Agile and Scrum trainer.
Throughout the class Ravi supplemented the theory with real world examples to better
understand the implementation of Nexus. I left the class having a much clearer understanding
of what Nexus is and how it's realistically possible to support scaling.
I recommend this class to anyone looking for a straight forward approach to scaling with Scrum.
Jun 21, 2022
SmoothApps PSPO Review
Ravi is a true professional in every sense of the word. He not only has a wealth of knowledge on all components of Agile and the Scrum framework but also a deep desire to ensure the success of all of his students. I would recommend this course to anyone serious about Scrum and passing their PSPO exam.
May 20, 2022
Easy to learn with instructors Ravi and…
Easy to learn with instructors Ravi and Red. Thank you so much for the opportunity 🙏 ❤
Apr 30, 2022
Excellent class with relevant examples…
Excellent class with relevant examples and great sprint exercises. Ravi had very relevant experiences to relate to the subjects that really helped understand the concepts.
Apr 29, 2022
Ravi was very professional and provided…
Ravi was very professional and provided all of the information in a clear and understandable way but never let the class get boring or monotonous. I have had many trainers in the past for various different classes but Ravi stands near the top as far as quality and legitimately caring about his student's success.
Apr 29, 2022
Absolutely amazing course put on by…
Absolutely amazing course put on by Ravi Verma from SmoothApps via the Agile for Patriots program. I can't thank him enough. The interaction from him and the rest of the cohort created a great learning environment.
Feb 17, 2022
Such an eye opener into Product…Light bulb moments multiplied
Such an eye opener into Product Delivery and Ravi Verma is an outstanding Coach who delivers content so you get it.
Reviewing the stances of the Product Owner gave so many light bulb moments I am amazed at how excited I am to take back some of these ideas to the organization
Feb 14, 2022
Ravi's insight and real world…
Ravi's insight and real world application are very helpful in understanding the techniques for Product Owners.
Feb 15, 2020
Ravi is a great instructor
Ravi is a great instructor, funny, entertaining, experienced, wise and able to connect the dots from the classroom to the real world. The course itself is great and prepares you very well for using SCRUM.
Feb 15, 2020
Thanks!
Very easy to navigate. Great program!
Oct 14, 2019
great training content and trainer
great training content and trainer! Scrum.org does it again!
Oct 14, 2019
A must for every Scrum Master aspiring to the next level
Ravi Verma is one of the best Professional Scrum Trainers and coaches as he make the content come alive for the students. He relates, real-world experience to the discussion topics to enhance learning.
Jun 24, 2019
Ravi is an excellent instructor
Ravi is an excellent instructor. You can tell this is his passion. He thoroughly covered the materials and I really enjoyed the hands on training.
Jun 23, 2019
SPS training with Ravi Verma
Ravi Verma delivered the SPS training with practical applications and real-world examples. Ravi walked us through the process of applying Scrum principles in the context of scaling with the understanding the trade-offs may be made in the process. As well, he helped us understanding some organizations should consider NOT scaling based on different factors. I highly recommend Ravi as a trainer for SPS and across the many courses Scrum.org provides.
Jun 23, 2019
Ravi was an exceptional instructor.
Ravi was a great instructor. Having already been running a Nexus for three months, I can tell you that a lot of the issues and concerns of scaling Scrum and using Nexus that we had are addressed in the course.
Jun 23, 2019
Scaling Essentials
As always, Ravi is an amazing trainer. He takes the theory of the class and makes it relatable in ways that people can’t understand by way of real world examples. You can tell by everything that he does that he cares about people, and that inspires me to do the same.
Apr 26, 2019
Great information that is timely and…
Great information that is timely and relevant.
Great instructor!
Apr 15, 2019
Some of the best training I've had!
Ravi is a world-class trainer whose passion for Agile is contagious. The training was tailored to our company's specific goals and needs, yet covered all the fundamentals. I look forward to future training with Ravi and Scrum.org.
Feb 10, 2019
Ravi is an outstanding trainer and…
Ravi is an outstanding trainer and coach. I learned a ton in his class and recommended it to anyone looking for a Scrum Master certification.
Feb 9, 2019
Excellent Training at Improving in Plano, TX
Ravi Verma was a terrific facilitator and has an incredible grasp of the material. The information provided was well presented, diverse, and included a great deal of real-life scenarios and applications. Also, a big THANK YOU to Improving in Plano, TX for hosting our event. They are a first-class operation.
Feb 9, 2019
Confirming insights and reinforcing beliefs
I attended the PFS class facilitated by Ravi Verma. I was warm to the idea that Scrum is a better way to develop products without minimal bureaucracy prior to attending. Ravi confirmed and reinforced this premise throughout the course. His background in traditional "waterfall" system/software development informed his instruction of Scrum. The practical stories he used to illustrate Agile principles and Scrum fundamentals encouraged me as a student.
Courses taught by Ravi
Applying Professional Scrum
Professional Scrum Master
Professional Scrum Master II
Professional Scrum Master and Professional Scrum Product Owner
Professional Scrum Product Owner
Professional Scrum Product Owner - Advanced
Scaled Professional Scrum
Other Services by Ravi
- Coaching/Consulting
- Immersion Classes
- Private Courses
Latest Blogs by Ravi
See all blogs
Have you been part of an Agile or Scrum adoption that ran into challenges because some roles were not being performed effectively...? Did it cause frustration and unhealthy conflict...? Are you interested in a different way to respond to challenges with roles...? This video blog will share some ideas based on the Systems Coaching model created by CRR Global as part of their ORSC framework. This is a sequel to my video blog - The Ghosts Of Transformations Past.
How can someone become an excellent technology professional? Should they just focus on the technical aspect of their profession? Or should they consider other aspects? In this video blog, I offer 6 dimensions that technology professionals could consider as they travel on the path of excellence. This is a sequel to my blog on this topic - "Who Is An Excellent Technology Professional?"
Have you wondered what it takes to become an excellent technology professional? Is it the smartest developer / tester / (insert specialization here)? The one who can find the solution to the trickiest problem faster than anyone else? Or are there other factors that come into play? In this video blog, I share how my thoughts on this topic have evolved over my 25 year career in the technology industry, as I played different roles - from a developer, manager, director, Scrum coach to founder and CEO of a startup.
Have you ever joined an organization as a Scrum Master, Coach or Trainer with a smile on your face, good intentions in your mind and love in your heart, only to be received with inexplicable levels of hostility, contempt and aggression? Were you surprised about what was happening to you, why and what you might try next? Interested in a model that might help you make sense of what might be happening as a stepping stone to serve your organization? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this video blog might give you some ideas...
Does your Scrum Team find itself locked into destructive conflicts where each team member is convinced that their way is the only way, the best way and that everybody else who dares to disagree is crazy?
Are you interested in shifting the dynamic from an "us vs. them" adversarial conflict to an "us vs. the challenge" partnership? What would be like if your team could harness every conflict to reveal new possibilities the team can align around?
In this video, I will share an approach using the 10 Thinking Hats Of Scrum that can help your Scrum Team elevate the context of your conversations by evaluating options in the human-centric context of the people the Scrum Team exists to serve.
A 4-step approach to help you decide whether you should spend your precious and limited time on planet earth to use Scrum, bash Scrum or just move on with your life and ignore Scrum.
Managers in Agile organizations often struggle when their teams don't evolve into high-performing, self-managing teams. The struggle is to find the right balance between command and control management and being completely hands-off, letting the teams do whatever they want. How might a manager discover adjustments they can try to help their teams grow? this video blog might offer some ideas...
Are you sick and tired of wasting your precious Agile "Transformation" budget? What questions could you explore as you send out RFP's, RFQ's, interview partners and write SOW's? Watch this video to learn 9 questions you can ask potential Agile "Transformation" partners so you stop wasting your "Transformation" budget.
Are you sick and tired of destroying precious time, money, goodwill, potential and value in the name of "transformation"? Do you want to learn 7 reasons why this keeps happening over and over again? Interested in learning 7 ways to stop this from happening? Watch this video and help your company stop sacrificing value at the altar of "transformation".
Is your Product Ownership consistently optimizing sustainable, measurable value from your products and services? Or do you feel that Product Ownership is stuck in your company? If you fall in the second category, this video blog is for you! You will learn 6 ways to get Product Ownership unstuck by combining ideas from the world of Scrum, Agile Product Management and Co-Active Coaching.