Scrum
Scrum is a lightweight framework that helps people, teams, and organizations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems.
Rather than a “methodology” with exhaustive instructions, Scrum is a purposefully incomplete framework. It defines only the essential parts required to implement Scrum theory, acting as a container within which you can employ various processes and techniques.
The Theory of Scrum
Scrum is founded on empiricism and lean thinking.
- Empiricism asserts that knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is observed.
- Lean thinking reduces waste and focuses on the essentials.
The Three Pillars of Empiricism
To successfully implement Scrum, three pillars must support every aspect of the work:
- Transparency: The emergent process and work must be visible to those performing the work as well as those receiving the work.
- Inspection: The Scrum artifacts and the progress toward agreed-to goals must be inspected frequently and diligently to identify potentially undesirable variances or problems.
- Adaptation: If any aspects of a process deviate outside acceptable limits or if the resulting product is unacceptable, the process being applied or the materials being produced must be adjusted.
The Scrum Framework
The Scrum framework consists of Scrum Teams and their associated accountabilities, events, artifacts, and rules. Each component within the framework serves a specific purpose and is essential to Scrum’s success and usage.
The Scrum Team
The fundamental unit of Scrum is a small team of people, a Scrum Team. The team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers. There are no sub-teams or hierarchies; it is a cohesive unit of professionals focused on one objective at a time: the Product Goal.
The Heart of Scrum: The Sprint
Sprints are the heartbeat of Scrum, where ideas are turned into value. They are fixed-length events of one month or less to create consistency. A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.
Artifacts & Commitments
Each artifact contains a “commitment” to ensure it provides information that enhances transparency and focus against which progress can be measured:
- The Product Backlog (Commitment: The Product Goal)
- The Sprint Backlog (Commitment: The Sprint Goal)
- The Increment (Commitment: The Definition of Done)
About This Resource
While The 2020 Scrum Guide provides the “rules of the game,” this guide is designed to help you navigate the “how-to” of daily practice. Here, we explore the practical application of these accountabilities and events to help your team move from understanding theory to delivering high-value products in a complex environment.
