The most valuable process I’ve ever instituted as a manager is design review. Absolutely hammering a design has proven to me to be the best way to ensure people have absolute clarity on the end state and have thought through the flow, copy and other-than-happy paths through the software.

“Grooming” is just breaking down things from there. Sprint planning is a formality. Ten-fifteen minutes.

I guess my point is you’re right, the rituals aren’t important in a high context team. The work is really figuring out what you’re building. Like really really figuring it out.