From Military Intelligence to Scrum intelligence, Dan Rawsthorne has been applying agile for a significant period. He began his agile journey with the military, one of the largest long-term users of agile principles. As a U.S. Army officer, Dan was tasked with applying artificial intelligence to computer security and developing advanced battlefield management systems. These systems were used during the Persian Gulf War to improve decision-making on the battlefield. Now retired from the military, Dan has shifted his focus to the training room. He has been teaching and coaching thousands of learners and organizations across the globe.
Dan is a recognized pioneer in the Scrum community, with years of experience working in the trenches as an expert in agility, use cases, and object-oriented technologies. He has held nearly every conceivable role in software development, from Coder to Systems Analyst, Business Analyst, Architect, Team Leader, Project Manager, QA Director, and even Engineering Director. His sharp skills and extensive experience with a variety of agile tools and techniques—such as RUP, XP, Scrum, UML, and Get to Done®—have made him a well-rounded and highly respected expert in the field.
Accomplished Author – Dan
In addition to his practical expertise, Dan has also made significant contributions to the Scrum knowledge base. He co-authored Exploring Scrum: The Fundamentals with Doug Shimp, a comprehensive 300-page reference book. This book is designed to help professionals navigate common impediments, improve processes, and master the practical applications of Scrum. Exploring Scrum represents the culmination of Dan’s work so far, but he isn’t stopping there. He is currently working on a new book focused on Agile Project Management, which promises to further expand his contributions to the agile community.
At 3Back, Dan serves as a transformation agent, helping organizations improve through the application of agile methodologies like Scrum. His PhD in Mathematics enables him to identify and address underlying problems in systems, while his military background gives him a deep understanding of the importance of teamwork and empowerment. Dan firmly believes that meaningful change must occur in small, manageable steps to be effective.
When he’s not transforming organizations, Dan brings his focus and determination to the bowling alley. A perfect 300 game is often within his reach, and if you take a peek inside his extra bags, you might find not one, but several bowling balls, ready for action!