Have you ever heard about Scrum? This type of method has now developed into one of the most popular types of Agile used compared to several other types of. If you are working on a project, knowledge of Scrum is important for you to master. 

What is Scrum?

Scrum is a framework, not a technical process or methodology. Scrum framework is created to make teams can solve complex problems that are adaptive or constantly changing. Scrum also encourages teams to create products of the highest value or quality possible productively and creatively. How could that happen?

This is because Scrum’s key point is team collaboration which refers to the values ​​of the Agile Manifesto, namely iterative and incremental. Why is that? The reason is because Scrum is run by a team (usually the numbers are not too large) who are also in full control of the work system going forward, as opposed to Waterfall. Scrum helps the team to be adept at solving problems, making decisions, and building dynamic communication between members.

What Projects Can Use Scrum?

The answer is “a lot”. Although Scrum is popularly used by software development companies, its principles and values ​​can be applied across all fields of work. Starting from jobs related to manufacturing, construction, to events. This is also what makes Scrum one of the most popular types of Agile to use.

What Are the Uses of Scrum?

In the 1990s, Scrum came into use for managing complex product development. From then on, Scrum began to be used widely throughout the world. So, what are the uses of Scrum for projects?

1. Researching and exploring market potential, technology and product capabilities.
2. Develop products and improvements.
3. Release the product and its enhancements, as often as possible on a daily basis.
4. Develop and maintain operational cloud computing systems (online, security, on-demand) and other operational environments for product use.
5. Manage and update a product.

Who Is In The Scrum Team?

Product Owner (PO)

The main function of a Product Owner (PO) is to maximize the business value of the project being worked on. The main tasks of PO also include the following:

1. Convey the contents of the product backlog item (user-wishlist) clearly.
2. Ordering product backlog items in order to best achieve project goals and missions
3. Optimizing the business value of the work done by the Development Team.
4. Ensures that the product backlog is visible, transparent, and clear to all, and shows what the Scrum Team will do next.
5. Ensure that the Development Team understands the user’s product backlog items well.

Development Team

The Development Team is a party that develops project products. The Development Team consists of professional experts who work to provide a potential “Done” increment to be released at the end of each Sprint session. Yes, only members of the Development Team have full power over increments. Where this increment must be available when the Sprint Review is carried out with the user.

Development Teams are given the freedom to work on their own terms, which is why they are called self-organized. Uniquely, members who are members of the Development Team usually do not have special positions. This is what makes the Development Team accountability value held as a whole.

The Development Team has the following characteristics:

1. They are self-management, meaning that no one, including the Scrum Master, can direct the Development Team on how to manifest the product backlog into a potential mix of releasable functionality.
2. Development Teams are cross-functional, meaning they have all the skills needed to create Increments.
3. Scrum knows no titles for Development Team members, regardless of the type of work they do.
4. Regardless of the type of work that needs to be done, for example, testing, architectural, operational, or business analysis, Scrum does not recognize groupings within the Development Team based on these types of work.
5. Each member of the Development Team is likely to have specific skills and focus in a particular area. However, accountability remains the property of all Development Team members.

Scrum Master

Finally, there is a role called “Scrum Master”. As the name implies, the Scrum master serves to facilitate the use of Scrum in accordance with Agile values ​​and practices, as well as remove obstacles that arise. Therefore, nothing Therefore, there is no project manager position in the Scrum system.

The Scrum Master exists to help teams understand Scrum theory, practices, rules, and values. The Scrum Master is a leader who serves the Scrum Team. Meanwhile, the Scrum Master helps people outside the Scrum Team to understand which interactions are beneficial and which are not for project performance. The point is to maximize the business value that the Scrum Team processes and generates.

How Scrum Works in Project Management

To implement the Scrum method in each project that is run, you need to do the following steps:

1. Define Your Scrum Team

In the early stages, start defining your Scrum Team. Usually, the number of members in the Scrum Team is around 5-10 people only. Make sure to choose the ideal number of members so that your project runs effectively and efficiently.

2. Determine the Sprint Duration

 In this type of Scrum, there is something called a Sprint. The sprint, which is the “heart” of Scrum, is a timebox for a project development that is ready to be submitted to the client. Sprint duration is usually not more than 30 days. Due to its short duration, the project development flow runs in a structured process across multiple Sprint sessions.

3. Determine Each Role in the Team

The next step is to determine each role on the team. The goal is that the structures and roles of each one in it do not overlap. Within the Scrum framework, there are three important roles that must be played in a Scrum Team, namely the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team.

4. Identify and Manage Barriers

The next step is to identify the various obstacles or obstacles that can occur in the field. In some cases, the user-wishlist or enter can also be included in this criteria and is usually called a backlog. Later, the various existing backlogs are accommodated and their priority scales are sorted so that it is known which ones must be resolved first.

5. Start the Sprint

After completing the four steps above, you are ready to run the Sprint within the framework of your Scrum project management. When the Sprint has been running, it is not impossible that you will find various other backlogs along the way. Don’t panic, communicate this in a transparent and responsive manner to the Product Owner. Discuss whether the backlog can be implemented in the same Sprint or wait for the next Sprint.