People often ask, “What does 3Back mean?” Our name holds a deeper meaning that reflects who we are—a team driven by Modern Scrum principles and real-world experience, constantly evolving to help teams improve. As Certified Trainers, Coaches, Consultants, and Authors, we are passionate about making Scrum practical and impactful in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.
Our story begins on some of the hottest summer days of our founder Doug Shimp’s youth, painting houses. Doug learned a hard lesson after making a costly mistake on the job. The problem wasn’t the painting itself—it was his inability to step back and inspect his progress. It wasn’t until he physically got down from the ladder and took three steps back that he realized how essential it was to adjust his perspective to deliver better results. This simple realization laid the foundation for what would later become 3Back.
Taking three steps back isn’t just about painting. It’s about gaining the power of detachment—an essential principle in both life and in Modern Scrum. Scrum encourages teams to frequently step back, inspect, and adapt to improve their processes and deliver better products. Doug’s realization turned into a guiding philosophy for how we approach training and consulting: taking a broader view helps teams make immediate adjustments and continuously improve.
From House Painting to Modern Scrum
As 3Back evolved, so did our understanding of Scrum and its application to the real world. We’re not just theorists—we base everything we teach on practical, hands-on experience. Over the years, Scrum itself has evolved, and today, it’s more important than ever to embrace Modern Scrum, which is continuously adapting to advancements in technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
At 3Back, we integrate the latest developments in AI with the fundamentals of Scrum. AI enables teams to refine backlogs, predict roadblocks, and analyze data faster than ever before. However, we believe that technology is just a tool; it’s the people who make Scrum truly effective. By stepping back and leveraging AI, teams can take smarter, data-driven actions while still staying true to Scrum’s core principles of inspecting and adapting.
The Role of AI in Modern Scrum
As AI reshapes industries, Scrum must evolve too. AI in Modern Scrum helps teams work smarter by offering data-driven insights for backlog refinement, sprint planning, and risk management. By automating certain tasks, AI allows teams to focus more on collaboration, creativity, and delivering high-quality products. However, at 3Back, we emphasize that even with these new tools, the core values of Scrum—empowerment, self-organization, and continuous improvement—remain vital.
Our training, coaching, and consulting reflect this balance. We help teams harness AI while maintaining the agility needed to quickly respond to changes and deliver results that exceed customer expectations.
How 3Back Helps Teams Embrace Change
Throughout our journey, we’ve had our own ‘three steps back’ moments—whether in Scrum projects, product development, or training teams. The key to success in any of these endeavors is the ability to adapt and improve. By taking a step back, teams can shift their perspective, examine their work, and make the necessary adjustments to deliver better outcomes.
Our 3Back Scrum Training is designed to help teams gain the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. Whether through AI, better backlog management, or more effective sprint planning, we help teams focus on what matters most: continuous improvement, collaboration, and delivering value to customers.
Embrace Modern Scrum with 3Back
At 3Back, we are committed to pushing Scrum forward, just as Doug Shimp did with his first three steps back on a painting ladder. Modern Scrum, with the integration of AI, offers teams more powerful ways to inspect and adapt, but at its core, it’s still about people and their ability to improve. Whether you’re new to Scrum or a seasoned expert, 3Back can help you navigate the ever-evolving world of Scrum and make your team better.
Want to learn more about how we can help your team? Explore our Scrum training programs and discover how Modern Scrum and AI can transform your team’s performance.