The Scrum Process: How Does It Work?

scrum process concept

There’s always a risk that project management can always go wrong, especially when you don’t utilize the right methodology. Agile project management with Scrum is one of the best options to choose. It promotes efficient teamwork, and helps with faster completion of the project. The concept of Scrum is also more applicable in other areas, aside from software development. This is why it’s considered a framework rather than a methodology. In this article, you’ll learn more about how the scrum process works.

How it Works

The scrum agile methodology uses several timed sprints to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated time frame. At the beginning of the first sprint, the development team meets and decides on a realistic deadline. Then, they create a list of all the tasks they can successfully finish during that sprint.

Features and ideas are coded and tested before they’re infused to create the product. In completion of each sprint, the team should add more features to the product as it evolves. They share ideas as the project progresses, which helps them to identify issues with the product that need to be addressed.

The Scrum team is required to meet daily to discuss the accomplishments of the previous day. This promotes cohesion among team members as they continue to move the project forward. At the end of the meeting, they demonstrate the functionality of the new feature and how far they have progressed. All team members, including the project owner/client, are also expected to participate in the meeting. Some of the common terminologies used in agile project management with Scrum include:

  • SPRINT: this is the amount of time the team takes to complete a product. It usually ranges between a week to a month, but most developers take two weeks on average. Sprints can turn a product into different versions, add several features to a big project, or even include several reports.
  • SPRINT PLANNING: this refers to the stage where the sprint is organized. It involves defining the features and all other deliverables, along with the work needed to complete tasks.
  • SPRINT REVIEW: this is done after the end of each sprint. The project owners check if there is any planned sprint that was not completed. The team also presents the completed project and discusses any challenges needed to be solved together.
  • SPRINT RETROSPECTIVE: this happens after every sprint, involving discussions of the previous sprint. The team tries to find ways of adding new features to the product to make it more adaptable.
  • DAILY SCRUM: this is the daily meeting that lasts 15 minutes or less. The team discusses the progress each member has made and comes up with strategies they’ll use in the next 24 hours. They also analyze the work to be done on that particular day.

The Team

In other methodologies, software development stages are described in terms of their criteria and definitions, including entry, task performance, validation, and exit. However, in agile project management with scrum, the processes are defined by the desired outcome. In general, the development team works together, rather than assigning a leader to appoint tasks. Every member handles one feature that covers the point of completion and implementation.

Related Content: Key Differences Between the Lean, Agile, and Scrum Methodology

Although, there is a scrum master who handles the highest levels of tasks in the methodology. This person is perceived to be in a leadership role. There is also the project owner responsible for guiding the team towards the right product. The project owner also represents the end-users and will describe the scope of the project.

Events

Agile project management with scrum starts with the organization of the product and sprint backlogs. These are followed by sprint planning, after which the sprint is done. Daily Scrum follows next, and then a sprint review. When all the tasks are completed, there will be a sprint retrospective, which marks the end of the project.

Artifacts

Agile project management with Scrum also involves keeping the project details as records. These come in the form of backlogs and increments.

  • PRODUCT BACKLOG: this refers to the entire list of requirements of the product. As such, it is the point of reference before any changes are made to the product. The Project Owner is responsible for this backlog as it directs the team on the features and functionalities they should prioritize.
  • SPRINT BACKLOG: this refers to the prioritized items on the product backlog. The whole team creates them and includes them on a to-do list. It shows the order of the tasks and the skills needed to complete those tasks. The sprint backlog allows the team to be more organized.
  • BURNDOWN CHARTS: these sprint and release burndown charts show the amount of work that has been completed, as well as what needs to be accomplished. They show the team whether everything is completed within the deadline or not.
  • PRODUCT INCREMENT: this refers to the work during a sprint and the tasks completed in previous sprints. It allows the team to define tasks they can classify as done.

While scrum methodology seems to have confusing terminologies, it is a straightforward process. Team members understand their roles and encourage accountability. This helps create a more efficient workflow.

It’s important to understand that scrum is an agile framework, and it is different from an agile methodology. Unlike the latter, it uses visualization to monitor the progress of the project. It also uses fixed durations for the completion of smaller projects with a better structural approach.

Related Content: [UPDATED] An in Depth Look at the Agile Methodology

Key Takeaway

Bydrec is here to help you understand the scrum process in order to better handle your project management needs. This framework simplifies the completion of complicated tasks. Contact us at 888-203-213 for more information, or to schedule a free consultation.

Topics: agile project management with scrum, agile methodology

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