What is Scrum
Scrum is an agile development methodology that helps teams to work together without any hassle. This framework for project management emphasizes accountability and iterative progress to help the team reach its goal.
Did you know: Scrum is named for a rugby formation where everyone plays a role.
The Scrum process is used by software development teams but its principle can be applied to all kinds of teamwork. And this is one of the major reasons why scrum is popular across all business dimensions.
There are three Scrum software development roles, they are:
- Scrum Master: In simple words, Scrum Master is the project facilitator. They are skilled project managers whose main goal is to ensure that all the best practices are followed. Moreover, it is their job to resolve any conflict situation, improve the process and collaboration between the team.
- Product Owner: The product owner is the connecting link between the customers and the development team. The main job of this person is to ensure the final product is complete according to the expectations.
- Development team: The development team works together in a scrum process to incrementally release and test the final product. Here, the members of the development team must be aware of the Agile development process and Scrum.
What is a Scrum process lifecycle?
The Scrum process lifecycle begins with a prioritized backlog. This prioritized backlog consists of a series of sprints that provide the end result as a potential shippable component. Inside the sprints, all the necessary activities that are needed for product development take place.
The entire Scrum process is executed in a short period of 2-4 weeks which is the term for feedback and reflection. Each sprint is an entity in itself as it renders a variation of the final product that is delivered to the client with least possible effort.
Also read: Project Discovery Phase: A Crucial Part of Software Projects
Here is how the Scrum lifecycle works:
· The priorities are set and the team organizes the best way to deliver high priority features
· The Product Owner is responsible for setting the priorities of development and is responsible for maintaining the list of product features
· During the process. the goal of the Scrum Master is to keep the team focussed on the end product
· Each sprint ends with a review and retrospective meetings
· During the next sprint, the team chooses another chunk of the product backlog and the work begins again
· The lifecycle of the project depends on: completing the entire feature wish list or if the time or budget is already exhausted
Advantages of the Scrum Process
There are some amazing benefits of the Scrum software development process. They are:
It renders high flexibility
The Scrum methodology allows the teams to adapt to new circumstances as they happen. The definition of the product might change during the development process. And it is the responsibility of the team to deliver the changes within a few iterations.
Moreover, there are regular product meetings that allow the team to rearrange their priorities before the products are moved to the sprint.
Also Read: Product Managers vs Project Managers: Key Differences in Roles and Functions
It improves the quality of the product
In the Scrum process, the Sprint retrospective part builds in feedback to allow continuous improvement of the product. The development team here can thus use this methodology to deliver high quality products. Moreover, the enhanced product quality allows it to shine among its peers and increase its user base.
High Return on Investment (ROI)
There are no qualms about the fact that the combined benefits of Scrum results in better ROIs. In addition to this, because of the constant feedback, the percentage of making a mistake is reduced as well. And above all, the incremental releases and decreased time to market are instrumental in bringing better revenues.
Better Teamwork
Scrum certainly creates cohesive software development teams that can work well in the long run. These teams communicate efficiently, meet their deadlines more often, and solve their issues together. In addition to this, the level of trust and mutual respect is very high among each team member here.
In many of the Scrum software development processes, the team includes a hacking sprint in their workflow. Through this, it becomes easier for the developers to work on newer concepts and take ownership of the products.
The risk level is reduced considerably
The USP of the Scrum process is that it is highly predictable. Since there is no level of uncertainty, the risk is reduced as well. Moreover, the process ensures a sustainable delivery pace. Also, the continuous feedback, allows the team to nullify the risk at its initial stage.
The short sprints work as a blessing in disguise for the Scrum team. It allows them to fail fast as they can easily switch to another thing if one idea doesn’t work. This keeps the risk factor manageable and allows the team to work efficiently.
The time to market is reduced
The main focus of the Scrum process is to deliver products in well-defined sprints and predictable increments. Moreover, it is not necessary to release the product once it is fully completed.
The Sprints in the process are specifically designed to add the shippable features at every increment. And the complete products that are made of those shipped features are known as complex products.
With decreased time to market, it becomes easier for the business houses to take the early bird advantage. It therefore gives them a much needed edge over their peers and serves them well in the long run.
Also Read: How To Outsource Software Development Projects The Right Way
Final Thought
Scrum is a simple framework and the rules, events and roles here are easier to understand. It converts the complex tasks into manageable user stories making it easier for them to understand high-end projects. Moreover, the Scrum process has a semi-prescriptive approach that nullifies the ambiguity of the project.
As there is a clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities, transparency throughout the entire development cycle is maintained. The long-term benefits of this process outweighs the fact that teams might take a little time to understand it. Scrum is a compelling framework that produces immaculate products across industries.
