What is Scrum?

Scrum derives its name from the rough and tumble game of Rugby. When Jeff Sutherland was developing the process in 1993, he claimed the term from a fascinating study published in the Harvard Business Review. In that study, Hirotaka Takeuchi and Ikujiro Nonaka compared the efficient performance of cross-functional teams to the scrum formation used in the game of Rugby.

The idea behind the framework is a system that empowers teams to complete complex projects in the most efficient and simple way possible. Scrum is complex, yet phenomenally simple. It is a streamlined framework that enables efficient collaboration on projects of all sizes. The Scrum framework is designed to offer just enough structure (through a fairly small set of rules) to keep teams focused on solving problems and meeting challenges.

How it Works

Scrum takes a pretty major paradigm shift for anyone unfamiliar with Agile methodologies; however, the processes (in principle) are quite simple:

1. The Product Owner builds a product backlog. This is essentially a “wish list” of needed features for a specific product.

2. The team plans a “sprint”. They select a specific feature or goal from the product backlog, and they plan out how they intend to accomplish that goal.

3. The team sets a timeline for the sprint. A sprint usually spans two to four weeks, and the team meets daily to assess progress and to identify any roadblocks. As the team works, the Scrum Master acts as a servant leader, protecting the team from outside distractions, facilitating their work, and keeping the team focused on the goal.

4. The sprint ends with a shippable product. This doesn’t mean the entire project is complete, but a specific feature should be ready to hand over to a customer or stakeholder. The team runs a sprint review and retrospective to gauge effectiveness.

5. A new sprint begins. The team tackles the next task on the backlog and gets to work.

Ready to Learn More?

Sounds simple, right? It really is that simple, and therein lies its effectiveness. Join us for our Scrum training programs next time we’re in your town, and learn how Scrum could revolutionize the way you work. To find out more about events and private consultation, contact us at info@winnowmanagement.com.