Scrum for Beginners
Scrum is a Agile framework for managing and completing complex projects. It is commonly used in software development but can be applied to any project in any industry. In other hand it is a management framework for teams use to self-organize and work towards a common goal.
Scrum is a specific Agile methodology that is used to facilitate a project.
What is Agile ?
Agile simply means continuous incremental improvement, through small and frequent releases. The term Agile is most commonly associated with software development, as a project management methodology.
In software development, agile practices include requirements discovery and solutions improvement through the collaborative effort of organised and cross-functional teams with their customers or end users, through adaptive planning, development, testing, early delivery, continuous improvement and receiving feedback.
What beginners should know about scrum;
- Scrum is the most popular, widely-used Agile framework for project management.
- Scrum emphasises teamwork and collaboration.
- Scrum has specific roles and dedicated responsibilities.
- Scrum has defined and repetitive events.
- Scrum uses artefacts to plan, prioritise the work, and track progress.
- Scrum is an iterative and incremental process.
- Scrum is flexible, responds to changes and adaptable.
- Scrum provides transparency and visibility to the project.
- Scrum has been very successful in many organisations and industries.
The key components of Scrum
Scrum has set of meetings, tools, and roles for efficient project delivery.
Product Vision
The product vision is the long-term goal of the project or product.
Scrum Team
A cross-functional team responsible for delivering a product increment.
- Product Owner: Manages the product backlog, optimising the value of the product. Works closely with the development team to ensure that the product meets the needs of the customer.
- Scrum master: Manages the scrum process, acts as a coach and facilitator to help the team work together effectively.
- Development team (BA, Dev, QA): The Development Team is responsible for delivering the product incrementally during each sprint. They turn the product backlog into a usable product.
Product Backlog
A prioritised list of features or requirements for a product, which is owned and managed by the product owner. Sprint backlog is a subset of the product backlog.
Sprint Backlog
The Sprint Backlog is a list of tasks that the scrum team commits to completing during a sprint. The sprint backlog is owned and managed by the scrum team, and it is updated throughout the sprint to reflect progress and changes of the tasks.
Sprint
A short, time-boxed period where the scrum team works to complete and deliver a product feature. Usually sprints are 2–4 weeks iterations.
Sprint Goal
Short statement that summaries the objective of a Sprint in a Scrum project and provides a focus for the team’s efforts.
Definition of Done
An agreed checklist of requirements that must be met for a task or a user story to be considered complete in a Scrum project.
Scrum Ceremonies (Meetings)
Scrum ceremonies are regular events that occur within the Scrum framework, with specific purpose and agenda, to promote continuous improvement and collaboration among the team.
The main scrum ceremonies are:
1. Sprint Planning:
A meeting where the team decides what can be accomplished during the next sprint. Defining acceptance criteria, estimations happen here.
2. Daily Scrum:
A daily team meeting held within 10-15 minutes, to update the progress of each individual on the tasks, any blockages or plan the next day’s work.
3. Sprint Review:
A meeting at the end of a sprint to review the completed tasks and plan for the next sprint. Customers and stakeholders join to this.
4. Sprint Retrospective:
A meeting to discuss what went well and what can be improved in a sprint, identify ways to improve the process. Team uses a retro board for it.
5. Backlog grooming:
A meeting to prioritise the tasks in the product backlog and review work for the next sprint planning meeting.
How Scrum works ?
Scrum process works by breaking down the development of a product into sprints, user stories to work. A prioritised list of features or requirements for the product, called the product backlog, is created at the start of the process. During each sprint, the team selects items from the product backlog into a sprint backlog and works on completing them.
Progress is regularly reviewed through daily stand-up meetings and a sprint review at the end of each sprint.
The team also reflects on their work and identifies ways to improve through a sprint retrospective.
The process is designed to promote transparency, inspection, and adaptation, allowing the team to respond to changing requirements and continuously improve the product and the process while delivering them.
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