Scrum
1 Title/current version Scrum
2 The basics Scrum is an iterative, incremental framework for project management often deployed in Agile software development.
3 Summary Scrum is an Agile method (an iterative and incremental approach) for completing complex projects. Scrum was originally formalized for software development projects, but works well for any complex, innovative scope of work.
Why is it called Scrum? When Jeff Sutherland created the scrum process in 1993, he borrowed the term ‘scrum’ from an analogy put forth in a 1986 study by Takeuchi and Nonaka, published in the Harvard Business Review. In that study, Takeuchi and Nonaka compare high-performing, cross-functional teams to the scrum formation used by Rugby teams. Source: www.Scrumalliance.org
The Scrum Guide is the official Scrum Body of Knowledge. It was written by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, co-creators of Scrum. The current version is Scrum Guide Version 2013.
The Scrum framework is summarized in the Sprint Cycle (see Figure).
Figure: Scrum Sprint Cycle
A Sprint Cycle consists of the following steps: − A Product Owner creates a prioritized wish-list called a Product Backlog. − During Sprint planning, the team pulls a small chunk from the top of that wish-list, a Sprint Backlog, and decides how to implement those pieces. − The team has a certain amount of time, a Sprint, to complete its work – usually two to four weeks – but meets each day to assess its progress (daily Scrum). − The Sprint Burn Down chart shows implementation progress during a single Sprint. − Along the way, the ScrumMaster keeps the team focused on its goal. − At the end of the Sprint, the work should be potentially ready to hand to a customer, put on a store shelf, or show to a stakeholder. − The Sprint ends with a Sprint Review and retrospective. − As the next Sprint begins, the team chooses another chunk of the Product Backlog and begins working again.
The cycle repeats itself until sufficient items in the Product Backlog have been completed, the budget is depleted, or a deadline arrives. Which of these milestones marks the end of the work is entirely up to that specific project. No matter which impetus stops work, Scrum ensures that the most valuable work has been completed when the project ends.
The two main roles in Scrum are the Product Owner, who represents the customer and manages all requirements (adds requirements with a detailed description, prioritizes requirements and plans releases); and the ScrumMaster, who helps the team to follow Scrum process. The ScrumMaster facilitates the daily Scrum meetings, manages any problems, supports the Product Owner, and removes obstacles to team progress.
4 Target audience Any member of a project team.
5 Scope and constraints The scope of Scrum was originally intended for software development projects, but it is now also used for delivering any kind of complex projects.
Strengths • Productivity increases (from 10% to 400% depending on team, environment, project, Agile experience, etc.) • Continuous development process improvement • Communication improvement inside development team and between Scrum team and customer • Minimized time-to-market via frequent releases
Constraints • Requires a lot of preparation/planning • Focus on supporting tools • Does not work well if team culture does not allow for roles as required in a cross functional team
6 Relevant website www.scrum.org