diff --git a/.vscode/settings.json b/.vscode/settings.json index 1927422..96a57b9 100644 --- a/.vscode/settings.json +++ b/.vscode/settings.json @@ -1,7 +1,16 @@ { "markdownlint.config": {}, "cSpell.words": [ + "accountabilities", "Burndown", - "JDBC" + "inspectable", + "JDBC", + "McKenna", + "Newspage", + "OOPSLA", + "Schwaber", + "Scumniotales", + "timebox", + "timeboxed" ] } diff --git a/SDM.md b/SDM.md index 75bcf2c..0618a65 100644 --- a/SDM.md +++ b/SDM.md @@ -9,448 +9,99 @@ ###### Related Documents -- ::LINKS TO RELEVANT STANDARDS -- ::LINKS TO OTHER DOCUMENTS +- [The Scrum Guide](https://www.scrumguides.org/scrum-guide.html) +- [The Agile Manifesto](https://agilemanifesto.org) +- [Agile Documentation: Methodology & Best Practices](https://document360.com/blog/agile-documentation) +- [Scrum Documentation Template](https://www.infotech.com/research/scrum-documentation-template) +- [What is Agile Scrum Methodology?](https://www.inflectra.com/Methodologies/Scrum.aspx) - [Glossary](Glossary) ### Table of Contents -- [Introduction](SDM#1-introduction) - - [Purpose](SDM#11-purpose) - - Scope - - Audience - - Document Overview - -- Scrum Overview - - What is Scrum? - - Scrum Roles - - Scrum Artifacts - - Scrum Events - -- Scrum Team Establishment - - Team Formation - - Roles and Responsibilities - - Team Composition - -- Scrum Process Flow - - Product Backlog Management - - Sprint Planning - - Daily Stand-up - - Sprint Review - - Sprint Retrospective - -- Scrum Ceremonies and Artifacts - - Sprint Backlog - - Definition of Done - - Burndown Charts - - Product Increment - - User Stories and Acceptance Criteria - -- Scrum Practices - - Sprint Length - - Definition of Ready - - Definition of Ready - - Sprint Backlog Refinement - - Release Management - -- Monitoring and Metrics - - Velocity - - Sprint Burndown - - Release Burndown - - Cumulative Flow Diagram - - Sprint Retrospective Actions - -- Communication and Collaboration - - Daily Stand-up Guidelines - - Sprint Review Guidelines - - Sprint Retrospective Guidelines - - Collaborative Tools - -- Scrum in the Organization - - Integrating Scrum with Existing Processes - - Scrum and Project Management - - Scrum and Product Management - -- Conclusion - - Summary - - Continuous Improvement - - Acknowledgments +- [Introduction](SDM#introduction) +- [Scrum Values](SDM#scrum-values) +- [Scrum Principles](SDM#scrum-principles) +- [Scrum Roles](SDM#scrum-roles) +- [Scrum Meetings](SDM#scrum-meetings) +- [Conclusion](SDM#conclusion) ### Introduction -#### Purpose +Scrum is an agile project management framework that helps teams structure and manage their work through a set of values, principles, and practices. Scrum is often used for software development, but it can be applied to any project that requires iterative development and continuous improvement. -The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive guide on how our software development team will use Scrum as the chosen methodology for product development. It outlines the roles, processes, ceremonies, and practices that the team will follow to ensure effective project delivery. +### Scrum Values -#### Scope +The Scrum values are the guiding principles of the Scrum methodology. They are: -This document focuses on the implementation of Scrum within our software development team. It serves as a reference for team members, stakeholders, and anyone involved in the development process to understand how Scrum will be applied. +#### Individuals and interactions over processes and tools -#### Audience +Scrum teams are made up of individuals who are responsible for their own work. The team works together to solve problems and deliver value to the customer. -The primary audience for this document includes team members, Scrum Master, Product Owner, and other stakeholders associated with the software development project. It is assumed that the readers have a basic understanding of Agile principles. +#### Working software over comprehensive documentation -#### Document Overview +The goal of Scrum is to deliver working software as quickly as possible. Documentation is important, but it should not be at the expense of delivering working software. -This document will provide a comprehensive overview of Scrum, including its roles, events, and artifacts. It will then delve into the specifics of how our team will establish and apply Scrum practices throughout the software development lifecycle. Additionally, it covers metrics, communication guidelines, and integration with existing processes. +#### Customer collaboration over contract negotiation -### Scrum Overview +The customer is an integral part of the Scrum team. The team works closely with the customer to gather requirements, prioritize features, and deliver value. -#### What is Scrum? +#### Responding to change over following a plan -Scrum is an Agile software development framework designed to enable teams to deliver high-quality software products iteratively and incrementally. It is based on a set of principles and values that prioritize collaboration, transparency, inspection, and adaptation. +The world is constantly changing, so the Scrum team must be able to adapt to change. The team should be able to change plans as needed to ensure that the project meets the customer's needs. -Key characteristics of Scrum include: +### Scrum Principles -- Iterative and Incremental Development: Scrum follows a series of fixed-length iterations called "Sprints," typically lasting two to four weeks. During each Sprint, the team aims to create a potentially shippable product increment by completing a set of prioritized work items. +The Scrum principles are the foundation of the Scrum methodology. They are: -- Empirical Process Control: Scrum is built on the three pillars of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. The team continuously inspects the product and the process to adapt and improve based on the observations. +#### Empirical process control -- Flexibility and Adaptation: Scrum encourages a flexible and adaptive approach. It acknowledges that requirements and priorities can change during a project, and the team should embrace change to deliver the most valuable product. +Scrum teams use empiricism to make decisions. This means that the team relies on experience and evidence to make decisions, rather than on theoretical models or plans. -- Transparency: Transparency is a fundamental value in Scrum. The process, progress, and challenges are visible to all stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration. +#### Self-organizing teams -- Continuous Improvement: Scrum promotes a culture of continuous improvement through regular retrospectives, encouraging the team to inspect and adapt their processes for better outcomes. +Scrum teams are self-organizing. This means that the team is responsible for its own work and how it gets done. -Scrum's focus on incremental progress, regular inspection, and adaptation allows teams to respond effectively to changing requirements and deliver valuable software in a collaborative and transparent manner. +#### Iterative development -#### Scrum Roles and Responsibilities +Scrum teams develop software iteratively. This means that the team delivers working software in short increments, or sprints. -##### Scrum Master +#### Continuous improvement -The Scrum Master is responsible for ensuring that the Scrum framework is understood and followed by the team. They act as facilitators, coaches, and servant leaders, removing impediments and fostering an environment where the team can thrive. The Scrum Master also helps in organizing Scrum events and collaborates with the Product Owner and the Development Team. +Scrum teams are constantly looking for ways to improve their process. The team reflects on its work after each sprint and identifies ways to improve for the next sprint. -##### Product Owner +### Scrum Roles -The Product Owner represents stakeholders and is accountable for maximizing the value of the product. They are responsible for managing the Product Backlog, ensuring that it is transparent, prioritized, and contains items with clear descriptions. The Product Owner collaborates with the Development Team and stakeholders to define product vision and ensure the team delivers the most valuable features. +There are three main roles in Scrum: -##### Development Team +#### Product Owner -The Development Team consists of professionals who do the work of delivering a potentially releasable Increment of the product at the end of each Sprint. They are self-organizing and cross-functional, meaning they collectively possess all the skills necessary to deliver the product. The Development Team collaborates with the Product Owner to clarify requirements and with the Scrum Master to continually improve their processes. +The Product Owner is responsible for the product backlog. The Product Owner defines the features that the team will build and prioritizes the backlog. -#### Scrum Artifacts +#### Scrum Master -Scrum utilizes three essential artifacts to facilitate a clear understanding of the product being developed and the progress made during the development process: +The Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the Scrum process. The Scrum Master ensures that the team follows the Scrum framework and helps the team to resolve any impediments. +Development Team. The Development Team is responsible for building the product. The Development Team is self-organizing and determines how it will build the product. -##### Product Backlog +### Scrum Meetings -- Purpose: The Product Backlog is a dynamic and prioritized list of all the work items (user stories, features, bug fixes, improvements) needed to be completed for the product. It represents the requirements and the vision of the product. -- Importance: The Product Backlog acts as the single source of truth for the development team and stakeholders, ensuring a shared understanding of the product's scope and priorities. It enables transparency and allows for the continuous inspection and adaptation of the project's requirements. - -##### Sprint Backlog - -- Purpose: The Sprint Backlog is a subset of the Product Backlog that includes the work items selected by the Development Team to complete during a Sprint. It represents the tasks the team commits to accomplishing during the Sprint. -- Importance: The Sprint Backlog is crucial because it helps the Development Team understand what needs to be done during the Sprint. By selecting a set of items from the Product Backlog, the team commits to achieving specific goals within the Sprint. The Sprint Backlog serves as a guide during the Daily Stand-up, where team members can track progress and identify any obstacles or challenges that need to be addressed. - -##### Product Increment - -- Purpose: The Product Increment is the sum of all the completed and potentially releasable Product Backlog items at the end of a Sprint. It is the tangible output of the team's work during the Sprint. -- Importance: The Product Increment's significance lies in providing a tangible outcome at the end of each Sprint. It allows stakeholders to see and experience the value delivered by the team continuously. A well-defined Increment, meeting the Definition of Done, demonstrates the team's ability to deliver a functional and potentially releasable product at regular intervals, even if the decision to release it or not is made by the Product Owner. This fosters trust, transparency, and collaboration between the team and stakeholders. - -Overall, these artifacts promote transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the software development process. By providing a clear vision of the project, measurable goals for each Sprint, and tangible outcomes, the Scrum artifacts enable effective decision-making, alignment, and value delivery. - -#### Scrum Events - -##### Sprint Planning - -- Objective: The primary objective of Sprint Planning is to define what the Development Team will work on during the upcoming Sprint. It involves collaborative discussions between the Product Owner and the Development Team to select the most valuable Product Backlog items to be delivered in the Sprint. -- Contribution to Team's Success: Sprint Planning ensures that the team has a clear understanding of the Sprint Goal and the scope of work for the Sprint. By collaboratively selecting and committing to work items, the team gains a sense of ownership and accountability for achieving the Sprint Goal. This event sets the direction for the Sprint and helps the team stay focused on delivering the highest value increments. - -##### Daily Stand-up (Daily Scrum) - -- Objective: The Daily Stand-up is a short, time-boxed meeting held every day during the Sprint. The objective is to facilitate communication and collaboration within the Development Team by providing a forum to share progress, discuss any impediments, and synchronize efforts. -- Contribution to Team's Success: The Daily Stand-up promotes transparency and fosters a shared understanding of the team's progress and challenges. It enables quick identification and resolution of obstacles, promoting a sense of teamwork and collective accountability. The event helps the team stay on track towards achieving the Sprint Goal, and it encourages a culture of continuous improvement by addressing issues as they arise. - -##### Sprint Review - -- Objective: The Sprint Review is held at the end of the Sprint and involves a demo of the Product Increment completed during the Sprint. The Product Owner, stakeholders, and the Development Team collaborate to inspect the Increment and provide feedback. -- Contribution to Team's Success: The Sprint Review ensures that the Product Increment aligns with stakeholders' expectations and provides valuable insights for future improvements. Feedback from stakeholders helps the Development Team understand the product's evolving requirements and refine the Product Backlog accordingly. It also fosters transparency and builds trust between the team and stakeholders. - -##### Sprint Retrospective - -- Objective: The Sprint Retrospective is a time-boxed meeting held after the Sprint Review, where the Development Team reflects on the Sprint's processes, actions, and collaboration. The team identifies strengths and areas for improvement to enhance future Sprints. -- Contribution to Team's Success: The Sprint Retrospective promotes a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging the team to inspect their processes and adapt accordingly. By addressing challenges and building on successes, the team can become more efficient and effective over time. The retrospective also allows team members to voice concerns, identify bottlenecks, and make necessary adjustments to work collaboratively. - -### Scrum Team Establishment - -#### Team Formation - -Forming a successful Scrum Team is a crucial aspect of implementing Scrum effectively. The Scrum Team is a self-organizing and cross-functional group responsible for delivering the product increment. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how the Scrum Team will be formed, including selecting team members with the right skills and expertise for the project: - -##### Define Project Needs and Scope - - Begin by defining the project's needs, objectives, and scope in collaboration with the Product Owner and relevant stakeholders. Understanding the project's requirements will help in identifying the necessary skills and expertise. - -##### Identify Core Scrum Roles - -Identify the core Scrum roles within the Scrum Team: the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team. Each role has distinct responsibilities that contribute to the project's success. - -##### Assess Required Skills and Competencies - -Determine the skills and competencies required for the project's successful execution. This assessment should align with the product vision and the items in the Product Backlog. - -##### Cross-Functional Expertise - -Ensure that the Scrum Team is cross-functional, meaning it possesses all the skills necessary to deliver the product increment. Look for team members who have diverse skills, such as design, development, testing, user experience, etc. - -##### Collaborative Team Building - -Team building should be a collaborative process involving the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and any existing team members. If the team is new, involve stakeholders or subject matter experts as needed. - -##### Skill Gap Analysis - -Conduct a skill gap analysis to identify any areas where expertise may be lacking within the team. Address these gaps by either hiring new team members or providing training to existing ones. - -##### Identify Potential Team Members - -Identify potential team members based on their expertise, experience, and track record of successful project delivery. Look for individuals with a proven ability to work well in collaborative, Agile environments. - -##### Soft Skills and Collaboration - -Consider the soft skills of potential team members, such as communication, adaptability, and teamwork. Effective collaboration and communication are crucial for a high-performing Scrum Team. - -##### Balancing Workload - -Ensure a balanced workload among team members to avoid overburdening individuals and to maintain sustainable pace throughout the project. - -##### Commitment and Empowerment - -Select team members who are committed to the project's success and embrace the values and principles of Scrum. Empowerment and a sense of ownership are essential for a self-organizing team. - -##### Formalize Roles and Responsibilities - -Once the Scrum Team members are selected, formalize their roles and responsibilities to establish clear expectations and promote accountability. - -##### Scrum Team Continuous Improvement - -The Scrum Team is not static, and continuous improvement is vital. Regularly inspect team dynamics and performance during Sprint Retrospectives and make necessary adjustments to optimize effectiveness. - -##### Promote Trust and Collaboration - -Foster a culture of trust, openness, and collaboration within the Scrum Team and with stakeholders. Encourage a safe environment for feedback and ideas. - -Forming the Scrum Team with the right mix of skills, expertise, and collaboration is fundamental to the project's success. A well-formed Scrum Team, working together cohesively and empowered to make decisions, will enhance the chances of delivering a high-quality product increment and achieving project goals. - -#### Team Collaboration - -Ensuring effective collaboration within the Scrum Team is essential to achieve cross-functionality and a shared understanding of project goals. Here's an explanation of how the team will collaborate to achieve these objectives: - -##### Cross-Functional Team - -The Scrum Team is designed to be cross-functional, meaning that it possesses all the skills and expertise required to deliver the product increment. This includes skills such as development, testing, design, user experience, and any other necessary disciplines. By having a diverse range of skills within the team, members can collaborate and contribute to different aspects of the project. - -##### Collaborative Environment - -Create a collaborative work environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, discussing challenges, and seeking help from each other. Encourage open communication, active listening, and a culture of respect and trust among team members. - -##### Sprint Planning Collaboration - -During Sprint Planning, the Product Owner collaborates with the Development Team to discuss the items from the Product Backlog and define the Sprint Goal. The team members contribute their insights, estimations, and concerns to ensure a shared understanding of what needs to be achieved in the upcoming Sprint. - -##### Definition of Done (DoD) - -Establish a clear and agreed-upon Definition of Done that defines the criteria for a Product Backlog item to be considered complete. This shared understanding ensures that all team members know what is expected and can work together to meet the DoD for each increment. - -##### Daily Stand-up - -Conduct Daily Stand-up meetings to promote collaboration and transparency within the team. Each team member briefly shares their progress, challenges, and plans for the day. The stand-up allows the team to identify any impediments or dependencies that require collective attention. - -##### Pair Programming and Peer Reviews - -Encourage pair programming, where two team members work together on the same piece of code, which fosters knowledge sharing and ensures higher code quality. Additionally, promote peer reviews of code, design, and other artifacts to leverage collective expertise and maintain high standards. - -##### Sprint Review Collaboration - -The Sprint Review is an opportunity for the team to collaborate with stakeholders to demonstrate the completed increment and gather feedback. Collaboration during this event helps validate that the product increment aligns with stakeholder expectations. - -#### Sprint Retrospective Collaboration - -The Sprint Retrospective allows the team to reflect on their processes and collaboration during the Sprint. Team members discuss what went well, what could be improved, and any action items to enhance collaboration and productivity. - -##### Continuous Improvement Collaboration - -Emphasize the value of continuous improvement within the team. Encourage team members to propose process improvements, experiment with new approaches, and learn from both successes and failures. - -##### Knowledge Sharing - -Organize knowledge sharing sessions or workshops within the team to facilitate the transfer of expertise and best practices. Cross-training and skill development initiatives ensure that team members can contribute effectively in different areas. - -##### Agile Ceremonies and Artifacts - -Use Agile ceremonies (e.g., Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-up, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective) and Scrum artifacts (e.g., Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog) as tools for collaboration, transparency, and continuous alignment with project goals. - -By fostering a collaborative environment, promoting cross-functional expertise, and leveraging Agile practices, the Scrum Team can ensure effective collaboration, shared understanding of project goals, and a focus on delivering high-quality increments that meet the needs of stakeholders. Collaboration within the team is a cornerstone of Scrum, enabling it to adapt and succeed in a dynamic and changing environment. - -### Scrum Process Flow - -#### Product Backlog Management - -##### Creating the Product Backlog - -The Product Backlog is a dynamic and evolving list of all the work items needed to deliver the product. It is created during the initial stages of the project, driven by the product vision, user needs, and stakeholder requirements. Input from stakeholders, customers, market research, and the team's expertise contribute to populating the Product Backlog. - -##### Prioritizing the Product Backlog - -The Product Backlog items are prioritized based on their business value, customer needs, market demands, technical dependencies, and risks. The Product Owner plays a critical role in setting the priorities, aligning with stakeholders, and ensuring that the most valuable items are placed at the top. - -##### Refining the Product Backlog - -Backlog refinement, also known as "Backlog Grooming," is an ongoing process where the Product Owner and the Development Team collaboratively review, revise, and update the Product Backlog. This ensures that the backlog remains relevant, actionable, and ready for Sprint Planning. - -##### Involvement of the Product Owner - -The Product Owner (PO) is primarily responsible for managing the Product Backlog. Their involvement includes: - -- Defining and Communicating Vision: The PO defines the product vision and communicates it to the team and stakeholders. The vision serves as a guide for prioritizing the items in the Product Backlog based on their alignment with the product's overall goals. - -- Gathering Stakeholder Requirements: The PO collaborates with stakeholders, customers, and users to understand their needs, requirements, and feedback. They gather input and insights to ensure the Product Backlog reflects the most valuable features and improvements. - -- Prioritization: The PO prioritizes the items in the Product Backlog, considering the stakeholders' needs and the product's strategic goals. High-priority items are positioned at the top of the backlog to be addressed earlier. - -- Continuous Refinement: The PO continuously refines the Product Backlog, ensuring that it contains clear, well-defined, and actionable items. They add new items, revise existing ones, and remove obsolete or less valuable items based on changing priorities and feedback. - -- Collaboration with the Development Team: The PO collaborates closely with the Development Team to provide clarifications on requirements and answer questions during backlog refinement. This ensures that the team has a clear understanding of the items before Sprint Planning. - -##### Involvement of the Development Team - -The Development Team plays an active role in Backlog Refinement, ensuring that the items in the Product Backlog are "ready" for Sprint Planning. Their involvement includes: - -- Asking Clarifying Questions: During backlog refinement sessions, the Development Team seeks clarifications from the Product Owner regarding the details, acceptance criteria, and expected outcomes of the items. - -- Estimating Effort: The Development Team estimates the effort required to implement each item. These estimates help the Product Owner and stakeholders understand the relative size and complexity of the work items. - -- Providing Feedback: The Development Team provides feedback on the feasibility, technical constraints, and potential risks associated with the items. They offer insights into alternative approaches or potential improvements to enhance value delivery. - -- Splitting User Stories: If backlog items are too large or complex, the Development Team collaborates with the Product Owner to split them into smaller, more manageable user stories that can be completed within a single Sprint. - -- Commitment to Deliver: Before Sprint Planning, the Development Team commits to delivering a set of items from the Product Backlog for the upcoming Sprint. This commitment ensures a shared understanding and responsibility for achieving the Sprint Goal. - -Through effective collaboration between the Product Owner and the Development Team, the Product Backlog becomes a valuable tool for prioritizing and aligning the team's efforts with the product's vision and objectives. Continuous refinement ensures that the team works on the most valuable and relevant items, contributing to the success of the project. +There are four main meetings in Scrum: #### Sprint Planning -::Describe the process of Sprint Planning, including the selection of items from the Product Backlog, defining the Sprint Goal, and creating the Sprint Backlog. +The Sprint Planning meeting is held at the beginning of each sprint. The Product Owner and Development Team discuss the product backlog and identify the features that will be built in the sprint. -#### Daily Stand-up +#### Daily Standup -::Explain how the Daily Stand-up will be conducted, its purpose, and what questions each team member will answer. +The Daily Standup is a short meeting that is held every day during the sprint. The Development Team members each answer three questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any impediments? #### Sprint Review -::Describe the Sprint Review process, including the demonstration of the Product Increment and gathering feedback from stakeholders. +The Sprint Review is held at the end of each sprint. The Development Team presents the working software to the Product Owner and other stakeholders. #### Sprint Retrospective -::Explain how the Sprint Retrospective will be conducted to reflect on the previous Sprint and identify areas for improvement. - -### Scrum Ceremonies and Artifacts - -#### Sprint Backlog - -::Explain how the team will manage and update the Sprint Backlog throughout the Sprint. - -#### Definition of Done - -::Outline the Definition of Done and how it will be applied to ensure the quality of the product increment. - -#### Burndown Charts - -::Describe the use of Burndown Charts to track progress and identify potential issues during the Sprint. - -#### Product Increment - -::Explain how the Product Increment will be reviewed and potentially released after each Sprint. - -#### User Stories and Acceptance Criteria - -::Provide guidelines on writing clear and concise User Stories with well-defined Acceptance Criteria. - -### Scrum Practices - -#### Sprint Length - -::Explain how the team determined the appropriate Sprint length and the considerations behind the decision. - -#### Definition of Ready - -::Outline the criteria for User Stories to be considered "Ready" for inclusion in a Sprint. - -#### Definition of Done - -::Explain the team's agreed-upon Definition of Done for User Stories and increments. - -#### Sprint Backlog Refinement - -::Describe how the team will conduct Sprint Backlog Refinement meetings to ensure that backlog items are ready for Sprint Planning. - -#### Release Management - -::Outline how the team plans and executes product releases, including Sprint Reviews with stakeholders and customers. - -### Monitoring and Metrics - -#### Velocity - -::Explain how the team will measure and track Velocity to forecast future Sprint capacity. - -#### Sprint Burndown - -::Describe how the team will use the Sprint Burndown chart to monitor progress during the Sprint. - -#### Release Burndown - -::Explain how the team will use the Release Burndown chart to track progress towards achieving project milestones. - -#### Cumulative Flow Diagram - -::Describe how the Cumulative Flow Diagram will be used to visualize work in progress and identify bottlenecks. - -#### Sprint Retrospective Actions - -::Explain how the team will use Sprint Retrospective outcomes to implement improvements and action items. - -### Communication and Collaboration - -#### Daily Stand-up Guidelines - -::Provide guidelines for conducting effective Daily Stand-up meetings, including the recommended time and format. - -#### Sprint Review Guidelines - -::Outline the structure and objectives of Sprint Review meetings and how stakeholders' feedback will be collected. - -#### Sprint Retrospective Guidelines - -::Explain how the team will facilitate Sprint Retrospectives to encourage open feedback and identify areas for continuous improvement. - -#### Collaborative Tools - -::List the tools and technologies that the team will use to facilitate collaboration and communication within the team. - -### Scrum in the Organization - -#### Integrating Scrum with Existing Processes - -::Describe how Scrum will integrate with other existing organizational processes to ensure smooth collaboration. - -#### Scrum and Project Management - -::Explain the relationship between Scrum and project management, and how the Scrum framework will be used to manage projects effectively. - -#### Scrum and Product Management - -::Describe how Scrum will collaborate with product management to ensure the alignment of product vision and development efforts. +The Sprint Retrospective is held after the Sprint Review. The team reflects on the sprint and identifies ways to improve for the next sprint. ### Conclusion -#### Summary - -::Provide a summary of the key points covered in this document, emphasizing the benefits and expected outcomes of adopting Scrum. - -#### Conclusion: Continuous Improvement - -::Reiterate the importance of continuous improvement and the team's commitment to inspecting and adapting its practices. - -#### Acknowledgments - -::Acknowledge the contributions of team members, stakeholders, and others who have supported the adoption of Scrum within the organization. +Scrum is a powerful project management framework that can help teams to deliver working software quickly and efficiently. The Scrum framework is based on empiricism, self-organization, iterative development, and continuous improvement. Scrum teams are made up of individuals who are responsible for their own work. The team works together to solve problems and deliver value to the customer. diff --git a/Scrum-Guide.md b/Scrum-Guide.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c3a0fb --- /dev/null +++ b/Scrum-Guide.md @@ -0,0 +1,531 @@ +# The Scrum Guide + +## The Definitive Guide to Scrum: The Rules of the Game + +## Ken Schwaber & Jeff Sutherland + +## November 2020 + +## Purpose of the Scrum Guide + +We developed Scrum in the early 1990s. We wrote the first version of the Scrum Guide in 2010 to help +people worldwide understand Scrum. We have evolved the Guide since then through small, functional +updates. Together, we stand behind it. + +The Scrum Guide contains the definition of Scrum. Each element of the framework serves a specific +purpose that is essential to the overall value and results realized with Scrum. Changing the core design +or ideas of Scrum, leaving out elements, or not following the rules of Scrum, covers up problems and +limits the benefits of Scrum, potentially even rendering it useless. + +We follow the growing use of Scrum within an ever-growing complex world. We are humbled to see +Scrum being adopted in many domains holding essentially complex work, beyond software product +development where Scrum has its roots. As Scrum’s use spreads, developers, researchers, analysts, +scientists, and other specialists do the work. We use the word “developers” in Scrum not to exclude, +but to simplify. If you get value from Scrum, consider yourself included. + +As Scrum is being used, patterns, processes, and insights that fit the Scrum framework as described in +this document, may be found, applied and devised. Their description is beyond the purpose of the +Scrum Guide because they are context sensitive and differ widely between Scrum uses. Such tactics for +using within the Scrum framework vary widely and are described elsewhere. + +Ken Schwaber & Jeff Sutherland November 2020 + +```markdown +© 2020 Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland +``` + +```markdown +This publication is offered for license under the Attribution Share-Alike license of Creative Commons, +accessible at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode and also described in summary +form at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. By utilizing this Scrum Guide, you +acknowledge and agree that you have read and agree to be bound by the terms of the Attribution +Share-Alike license of Creative Commons. +``` + +- Purpose of the Scrum Guide +- Scrum Definition +- Scrum Theory + - Transparency + - Inspection + - Adaptation +- Scrum Values +- Scrum Team + - Developers + - Product Owner + - Scrum Master +- Scrum Events + - The Sprint + - Sprint Planning + - Daily Scrum + - Sprint Review + - Sprint Retrospective +- Scrum Artifacts + - Product Backlog + - Commitment: Product Goal + - Sprint Backlog + - Commitment: Sprint Goal + - Increment + - Commitment: Definition of Done +- End Note + - Acknowledgements + - People + - Scrum Guide History + +## Scrum Definition + +Scrum is a lightweight framework that helps people, teams and organizations generate value through +adaptive solutions for complex problems. + +In a nutshell, Scrum requires a Scrum Master to foster an environment where: + +1. A Product Owner orders the work for a complex problem into a Product Backlog. +2. The Scrum Team turns a selection of the work into an Increment of value during a Sprint. +3. The Scrum Team and its stakeholders inspect the results and adjust for the next Sprint. +4. _Repeat_ + +Scrum is simple. Try it as is and determine if its philosophy, theory, and structure help to achieve goals +and create value. The Scrum framework is purposefully incomplete, only defining the parts required to +implement Scrum theory. Scrum is built upon by the collective intelligence of the people using it. Rather +than provide people with detailed instructions, the rules of Scrum guide their relationships and +interactions. + +Various processes, techniques and methods can be employed within the framework. Scrum wraps +around existing practices or renders them unnecessary. Scrum makes visible the relative efficacy of +current management, environment, and work techniques, so that improvements can be made. + +## Scrum Theory + +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. + +Scrum employs an iterative, incremental approach to optimize predictability and to control risk. Scrum +engages groups of people who collectively have all the skills and expertise to do the work and share or +acquire such skills as needed. + +Scrum combines four formal events for inspection and adaptation within a containing event, the Sprint. +These events work because they implement the empirical Scrum pillars of transparency, inspection, and +adaptation. + +### Transparency + +The emergent process and work must be visible to those performing the work as well as those receiving + +the work. With Scrum, important decisions are based on the perceived state of its three formal artifacts. + +Artifacts that have low transparency can lead to decisions that diminish value and increase risk. + +Transparency enables inspection. Inspection without transparency is misleading and wasteful. + +### Inspection + +The Scrum artifacts and the progress toward agreed goals must be inspected frequently and diligently to +detect potentially undesirable variances or problems. To help with inspection, Scrum provides cadence +in the form of its five events. + +Inspection enables adaptation. Inspection without adaptation is considered pointless. Scrum events are +designed to provoke change. + +### 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 adjustment must be +made as soon as possible to minimize further deviation. + +Adaptation becomes more difficult when the people involved are not empowered or self-managing. A +Scrum Team is expected to adapt the moment it learns anything new through inspection. + +## Scrum Values + +Successful use of Scrum depends on people becoming more proficient in living five values: + +```markdown +Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, and Courage +``` + +The Scrum Team commits to achieving its goals and to supporting each other. Their primary focus is on +the work of the Sprint to make the best possible progress toward these goals. The Scrum Team and its +stakeholders are open about the work and the challenges. Scrum Team members respect each other to +be capable, independent people, and are respected as such by the people with whom they work. The +Scrum Team members have the courage to do the right thing, to work on tough problems. + +These values give direction to the Scrum Team with regard to their work, actions, and behavior. The +decisions that are made, the steps taken, and the way Scrum is used should reinforce these values, not +diminish or undermine them. The Scrum Team members learn and explore the values as they work with +the Scrum events and artifacts. When these values are embodied by the Scrum Team and the people +they work with, the empirical Scrum pillars of transparency, inspection, and adaptation come to life +building trust. + +## Scrum Team + +The fundamental unit of Scrum is a small team of people, a Scrum Team. The Scrum Team consists of +one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers. Within a Scrum Team, there are no sub-teams +or hierarchies. It is a cohesive unit of professionals focused on one objective at a time, the Product Goal. + +Scrum Teams are cross-functional, meaning the members have all the skills necessary to create value +each Sprint. They are also self-managing, meaning they internally decide who does what, when, and +how. + +The Scrum Team is small enough to remain nimble and large enough to complete significant work within +a Sprint, typically 10 or fewer people. In general, we have found that smaller teams communicate better +and are more productive. If Scrum Teams become too large, they should consider reorganizing into +multiple cohesive Scrum Teams, each focused on the same product. Therefore, they should share the +same Product Goal, Product Backlog, and Product Owner. + +The Scrum Team is responsible for all product-related activities from stakeholder collaboration, +verification, maintenance, operation, experimentation, research and development, and anything else +that might be required. They are structured and empowered by the organization to manage their own +work. Working in Sprints at a sustainable pace improves the Scrum Team’s focus and consistency. + +The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable, useful Increment every Sprint. Scrum +defines three specific accountabilities within the Scrum Team: the Developers, the Product Owner, and +the Scrum Master. + +### Developers + +Developers are the people in the Scrum Team that are committed to creating any aspect of a usable +Increment each Sprint. + +The specific skills needed by the Developers are often broad and will vary with the domain of work. +However, the Developers are always accountable for: + +```markdown +- Creating a plan for the Sprint, the Sprint Backlog; +- Instilling quality by adhering to a Definition of Done; +- Adapting their plan each day toward the Sprint Goal; and, +- Holding each other accountable as professionals. +``` + +### Product Owner + +The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of +the Scrum Team. How this is done may vary widely across organizations, Scrum Teams, and individuals. + +The Product Owner is also accountable for effective Product Backlog management, which includes: + +```markdown +- Developing and explicitly communicating the Product Goal; +- Creating and clearly communicating Product Backlog items; +- Ordering Product Backlog items; and, +- Ensuring that the Product Backlog is transparent, visible and understood. +``` + +The Product Owner may do the above work or may delegate the responsibility to others. Regardless, the +Product Owner remains accountable. + +For Product Owners to succeed, the entire organization must respect their decisions. These decisions +are visible in the content and ordering of the Product Backlog, and through the inspectable increment at +the Sprint Review. + +The Product Owner is one person, not a committee. The Product Owner may represent the needs of +many stakeholders in the Product Backlog. Those wanting to change the Product Backlog can do so by +trying to convince the Product Owner. + +### Scrum Master + +The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by +helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, both within the Scrum Team and the +organization. + +The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team’s effectiveness. They do this by enabling the +Scrum Team to improve its practices, within the Scrum framework. + +Scrum Masters are true leaders who serve the Scrum Team and the larger organization. + +The Scrum Master serves the Scrum Team in several ways, including: + +```markdown +- Coaching the team members in self-management and cross-functionality; +- Helping the Scrum Team focus on creating high-value Increments that meet the Definition of +Done; +- Causing the removal of impediments to the Scrum Team’s progress; and, +- Ensuring that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive, and kept within the +timebox. +``` + +The Scrum Master serves the Product Owner in several ways, including: + +```markdown +- Helping find techniques for effective Product Goal definition and Product Backlog management; +- Helping the Scrum Team understand the need for clear and concise Product Backlog items; +- Helping establish empirical product planning for a complex environment; and, +- Facilitating stakeholder collaboration as requested or needed. +``` + +The Scrum Master serves the organization in several ways, including: + +```markdown +- Leading, training, and coaching the organization in its Scrum adoption; +- Planning and advising Scrum implementations within the organization; +- Helping employees and stakeholders understand and enact an empirical approach for complex +work; and, +- Removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum Teams. +``` + +## Scrum Events + +The Sprint is a container for all other events. Each event in Scrum is a formal opportunity to inspect and +adapt Scrum artifacts. These events are specifically designed to enable the transparency required. +Failure to operate any events as prescribed results in lost opportunities to inspect and adapt. Events are +used in Scrum to create regularity and to minimize the need for meetings not defined in Scrum. +Optimally, all events are held at the same time and place to reduce complexity. + +### 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. + +All the work necessary to achieve the Product Goal, including Sprint Planning, Daily Scrums, Sprint +Review, and Sprint Retrospective, happen within Sprints. + +During the Sprint: + +```markdown +- No changes are made that would endanger the Sprint Goal; +- Quality does not decrease; +- The Product Backlog is refined as needed; and, +- Scope may be clarified and renegotiated with the Product Owner as more is learned. +``` + +Sprints enable predictability by ensuring inspection and adaptation of progress toward a Product Goal at +least every calendar month. When a Sprint’s horizon is too long the Sprint Goal may become invalid, +complexity may rise, and risk may increase. Shorter Sprints can be employed to generate more learning +cycles and limit risk of cost and effort to a smaller time frame. Each Sprint may be considered a short +project. + +Various practices exist to forecast progress, like burn-downs, burn-ups, or cumulative flows. While +proven useful, these do not replace the importance of empiricism. In complex environments, what will +happen is unknown. Only what has already happened may be used for forward-looking decision making. + +A Sprint could be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. Only the Product Owner has the +authority to cancel the Sprint. + +### Sprint Planning + +Sprint Planning initiates the Sprint by laying out the work to be performed for the Sprint. This resulting +plan is created by the collaborative work of the entire Scrum Team. + +The Product Owner ensures that attendees are prepared to discuss the most important Product Backlog +items and how they map to the Product Goal. The Scrum Team may also invite other people to attend +Sprint Planning to provide advice. + +Sprint Planning addresses the following topics: + +Topic One: Why is this Sprint valuable? + +The Product Owner proposes how the product could increase its value and utility in the current Sprint. +The whole Scrum Team then collaborates to define a Sprint Goal that communicates why the Sprint is +valuable to stakeholders. The Sprint Goal must be finalized prior to the end of Sprint Planning. + +Topic Two: What can be Done this Sprint? + +Through discussion with the Product Owner, the Developers select items from the Product Backlog to +include in the current Sprint. The Scrum Team may refine these items during this process, which +increases understanding and confidence. + +Selecting how much can be completed within a Sprint may be challenging. However, the more the +Developers know about their past performance, their upcoming capacity, and their Definition of Done, +the more confident they will be in their Sprint forecasts. + +Topic Three: How will the chosen work get done? + +For each selected Product Backlog item, the Developers plan the work necessary to create an Increment +that meets the Definition of Done. This is often done by decomposing Product Backlog items into +smaller work items of one day or less. How this is done is at the sole discretion of the Developers. No +one else tells them how to turn Product Backlog items into Increments of value. + +The Sprint Goal, the Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint, plus the plan for delivering them are +together referred to as the Sprint Backlog. + +Sprint Planning is timeboxed to a maximum of eight hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, +the event is usually shorter. + +### Daily Scrum + +The purpose of the Daily Scrum is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint +Backlog as necessary, adjusting the upcoming planned work. + +The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers of the Scrum Team. To reduce complexity, it is +held at the same time and place every working day of the Sprint. If the Product Owner or Scrum Master +are actively working on items in the Sprint Backlog, they participate as Developers. + +The Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as their Daily Scrum +focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan for the next day of work. +This creates focus and improves self-management. + +Daily Scrums improve communications, identify impediments, promote quick decision-making, and +consequently eliminate the need for other meetings. + +The Daily Scrum is not the only time Developers are allowed to adjust their plan. They often meet +throughout the day for more detailed discussions about adapting or re-planning the rest of the Sprint’s +work. + +### Sprint Review + +The purpose of the Sprint Review is to inspect the outcome of the Sprint and determine future +adaptations. The Scrum Team presents the results of their work to key stakeholders and progress +toward the Product Goal is discussed. + +During the event, the Scrum Team and stakeholders review what was accomplished in the Sprint and +what has changed in their environment. Based on this information, attendees collaborate on what to do +next. The Product Backlog may also be adjusted to meet new opportunities. The Sprint Review is a +working session and the Scrum Team should avoid limiting it to a presentation. + +The Sprint Review is the second to last event of the Sprint and is timeboxed to a maximum of four hours +for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter. + +### Sprint Retrospective + +The purpose of the Sprint Retrospective is to plan ways to increase quality and effectiveness. + +The Scrum Team inspects how the last Sprint went with regards to individuals, interactions, processes, +tools, and their Definition of Done. Inspected elements often vary with the domain of work. +Assumptions that led them astray are identified and their origins explored. The Scrum Team discusses +what went well during the Sprint, what problems it encountered, and how those problems were (or +were not) solved. + +The Scrum Team identifies the most helpful changes to improve its effectiveness. The most impactful +improvements are addressed as soon as possible. They may even be added to the Sprint Backlog for the +next Sprint. + +The Sprint Retrospective concludes the Sprint. It is timeboxed to a maximum of three hours for a one- +month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter. + +## Scrum Artifacts + +Scrum’s artifacts represent work or value. They are designed to maximize transparency of key +information. Thus, everyone inspecting them has the same basis for adaptation. + +Each artifact contains a commitment to ensure it provides information that enhances transparency and +focus against which progress can be measured: + +```markdown +- For the Product Backlog it is the Product Goal. +- For the Sprint Backlog it is the Sprint Goal. +- For the Increment it is the Definition of Done. +``` + +These commitments exist to reinforce empiricism and the Scrum values for the Scrum Team and their +stakeholders. + +### Product Backlog + +The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. It is the +single source of work undertaken by the Scrum Team. + +Product Backlog items that can be Done by the Scrum Team within one Sprint are deemed ready for +selection in a Sprint Planning event. They usually acquire this degree of transparency after refining +activities. Product Backlog refinement is the act of breaking down and further defining Product Backlog +items into smaller more precise items. This is an ongoing activity to add details, such as a description, +order, and size. Attributes often vary with the domain of work. + +The Developers who will be doing the work are responsible for the sizing. The Product Owner may +influence the Developers by helping them understand and select trade-offs. + +#### Commitment: Product Goal + +The Product Goal describes a future state of the product which can serve as a target for the Scrum Team +to plan against. The Product Goal is in the Product Backlog. The rest of the Product Backlog emerges to +define “what” will fulfill the Product Goal. + +```markdown +A product is a vehicle to deliver value. It has a clear boundary, known stakeholders, well-defined +users or customers. A product could be a service, a physical product, or something more abstract. +``` + +The Product Goal is the long-term objective for the Scrum Team. They must fulfill (or abandon) one +objective before taking on the next. + +### Sprint Backlog + +The Sprint Backlog is composed of the Sprint Goal (why), the set of Product Backlog items selected for +the Sprint (what), as well as an actionable plan for delivering the Increment (how). + +The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers. It is a highly visible, real-time picture of the work +that the Developers plan to accomplish during the Sprint in order to achieve the Sprint Goal. +Consequently, the Sprint Backlog is updated throughout the Sprint as more is learned. It should have +enough detail that they can inspect their progress in the Daily Scrum. + +#### Commitment: Sprint Goal + +The Sprint Goal is the single objective for the Sprint. Although the Sprint Goal is a commitment by the +Developers, it provides flexibility in terms of the exact work needed to achieve it. The Sprint Goal also +creates coherence and focus, encouraging the Scrum Team to work together rather than on separate +initiatives. + +The Sprint Goal is created during the Sprint Planning event and then added to the Sprint Backlog. As the +Developers work during the Sprint, they keep the Sprint Goal in mind. If the work turns out to be +different than they expected, they collaborate with the Product Owner to negotiate the scope of the +Sprint Backlog within the Sprint without affecting the Sprint Goal. + +### Increment + +An Increment is a concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal. Each Increment is additive to all +prior Increments and thoroughly verified, ensuring that all Increments work together. In order to +provide value, the Increment must be usable. + +Multiple Increments may be created within a Sprint. The sum of the Increments is presented at the +Sprint Review thus supporting empiricism. However, an Increment may be delivered to stakeholders +prior to the end of the Sprint. The Sprint Review should never be considered a gate to releasing value. + +Work cannot be considered part of an Increment unless it meets the Definition of Done. + +#### Commitment: Definition of Done + +The Definition of Done is a formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality +measures required for the product. + +The moment a Product Backlog item meets the Definition of Done, an Increment is born. + +The Definition of Done creates transparency by providing everyone a shared understanding of what +work was completed as part of the Increment. If a Product Backlog item does not meet the Definition of +Done, it cannot be released or even presented at the Sprint Review. Instead, it returns to the Product +Backlog for future consideration. + +If the Definition of Done for an increment is part of the standards of the organization, all Scrum Teams +must follow it as a minimum. If it is not an organizational standard, the Scrum Team must create a +Definition of Done appropriate for the product. + +The Developers are required to conform to the Definition of Done. If there are multiple Scrum Teams +working together on a product, they must mutually define and comply with the same Definition of Done. + +## End Note + +Scrum is free and offered in this Guide. The Scrum framework, as outlined herein, is immutable. While +implementing only parts of Scrum is possible, the result is not Scrum. Scrum exists only in its entirety +and functions well as a container for other techniques, methodologies, and practices. + +### Acknowledgements + +#### People + +Of the thousands of people who have contributed to Scrum, we should single out those who were +instrumental at the start: Jeff Sutherland worked with Jeff McKenna and John Scumniotales, and Ken +Schwaber worked with Mike Smith and Chris Martin, and all of them worked together. Many others +contributed in the ensuing years and without their help Scrum would not be refined as it is today. + +#### Scrum Guide History + +Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland first co-presented Scrum at the OOPSLA Conference in 1995. It +essentially documented the learning that Ken and Jeff gained over the previous few years and made +public the first formal definition of Scrum. + +The Scrum Guide documents Scrum as developed, evolved, and sustained for 30-plus years by Jeff +Sutherland and Ken Schwaber. Other sources provide patterns, processes, and insights that complement +the Scrum framework. These may increase productivity, value, creativity, and satisfaction with the +results. + +The complete history of Scrum is described elsewhere. To honor the first places where it was tried and +proven, we recognize Individual Inc., Newspage, Fidelity Investments, and IDX (now GE Medical). + +```markdown +© 2020 Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland +``` + +This publication is offered for license under the Attribution Share-Alike license of Creative Commons, +accessible at and also described in summary +form at . By utilizing this Scrum Guide, you +acknowledge and agree that you have read and agree to be bound by the terms of the Attribution +Share-Alike license of Creative Commons.