Simon Orrell

Snowdolphin

Simon Orrell is a Level 3 Ambassador of Agile Academy, recognized for his vast experience in scaling agility across industries and his ability to bridge complex systems with human-centered coaching. With a background in metallurgical engineering and a passion for music, Simon brings both structure and creativity to the world of agility. Since 2004, he has worked at the intersection of product management and agile transformation, applying agile principles to a wide spectrum of domains—from software and hardware development to manufacturing, construction, finance, and insurance.

Simon’s unique coaching approach spans from guiding single agile teams to enabling multi-billion dollar programs to become more responsive and value-driven. As a Certified Enterprise Coach, he was selected as one of six experts to define the Scrum Alliance’s new Scaling Agility learning objectives, helping shape the future of organizational agility. Whether on a construction site or in a product design lab, Simon helps teams thrive by aligning purpose, systems thinking, and agility at scale.

Agile Academy Ambassador Level 3

since 2010

active as a trainer

Experience

Simon Orrell is an internationally respected agile coach and product management expert with over two decades of experience in transforming how teams and organizations build value. Originally trained as a metallurgical engineer, Simon transitioned into the agile world in 2004, where he has since helped organizations navigate complexity, enable collaboration, and scale with intention.

He became a Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) in 2010 and has contributed significantly to the development of scaling frameworks and agile learning pathways. His breadth of industry experience includes software and hardware development, construction and operations, finance, insurance, and manufacturing. Known for his pragmatic, systems-based coaching, Simon helps teams and leaders break down silos, improve product delivery, and foster long-term adaptability.

Simon also brings a human-centered lens to his work, influenced by his background in music and engineering. He was recently selected by Scrum Alliance to co-develop their Scaling Agility curriculum, a reflection of his thought leadership and deep practical knowledge. Whether working with teams on the ground or coaching senior executives, Simon partners with organizations to unlock their full agile potential.

Languages

English

Industries

Automotive & Mobility
Energy & Natural Resources
Financial Services
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Infrastructure & Construction
Media & Entertainment
Social & Public Sector
Technology
Transportation

Certifications

Agile Academy Ambassador

Certified by Agile Academy Ambassadors are handpicked experts who embody our commitment to advancing Agile education and practice. As trusted professionals, they contribute to the Agile Academy community in various ways, including:

Delivering certified training and e-learning courses to build practical Agile skills.
Providing transformation coaching for teams and organizations.
Sharing insights through articles, case studies, and thought leadership.

If you want to work with this person, please contact us at team@scrum-academy.com.

If you're interested in becoming an Agile Academy Ambassador, please contact us at team@scrum-academy.com.

Work with Simon Orrell

Simon is open to provide training, coaching and consulting services. Contact us to learn more.

Links, Articles & Case Studies

Agile Turkey Summit 2017 – "Billion Dollar Agile"

In this talk, Simon discusses applying Scrum values and principles to large construction projects, sharing insights from his experience in the oil and gas industry.

Why Scaling Agility So Often Fails (And What to Do About It)

Simon explores common pitfalls in scaling Agile practices and offers strategies to address them effectively.

Beating Production Expectations by Embracing Agility

Simon shares how Agile principles can lead to exceeding production expectations, drawing from real-world applications.

Conjunction Junction: Split User Stories with Grammar

Simon introduces a technique for breaking down user stories using grammatical cues, enhancing clarity and manageability.

LabScrum: A Case Study for Agility in Academic Research Labs

Simon co-authored this case study on adapting Scrum for academic research environments, demonstrating its versatility beyond traditional settings.

Executing Large EPC/EPCM Projects Using Scrum Values and Principles

This experience report explores how Scrum was successfully applied to large-scale Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC/EPCM) projects—traditionally managed using rigid methods. Faced with communication breakdowns, silos, and lack of accountability, the team experimented with Scrum values like Focus, Courage, Openness, Respect, and Commitment. The approach led to better collaboration, visibility, and delivery by adapting Scrum roles and events to the engineering context—demonstrating that Agile principles are effective well beyond software.