What is Scrum? It’s basically a method of project management built on a framework defining a set of roles, rules, and events – with continuous feedback and effective communication from all team members. This framework helps people, teams, and organisations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems.

It was developed in the 1990s by Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber, and has gained global recognition by software development companies alongside various marketing and manufacturing businesses. The Scrum Guide was written and is maintained by the co-creators and is considered to be the book to read for defining roles, events, artefacts, and the rules that bind them.

Why choose Scrum? Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Scrum here…

What Is Scrum Project Management?

It’s all related to a set of principles that help support the continued growth of software elaboration methods. Essentially it involves following various procedures and using certain tools to improve software, while productively and creatively delivering products of the highest possible value.

Scrum’s main application is to develop a complex product, system, or service. The process guarantees maximum productivity and results in greater risk control and optimal productivity.

Scrum will offer users exactly what they want, achieved via continuous feedback and reiterations known as Sprints. These are short, regular cycles of less than four weeks when a product is continually incremented. Once a Sprint begins its duration is fixed and can’t be shortened or lengthened.

Scrum events cover Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective. Scrum artefacts are Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment.

Why Choose Scrum for Your Project Management?

Scrum is simple to learn and use – and can easily be introduced into your business or organisation. You just need to understand the basic roles. These are defined as:

The Product Owner

This is the person in charge of the business side of the project with the responsibility to have a goal of what is required and the value of each product for the customer. This clear vision is extended to the final product and how it should work. And that vision must be communicated to the entire team via the Product Backlog.

The Scrum Product Backlog is a list of all the things that need to be done within the project. These items may be of a technical nature or in the form of stories, or user-centric. The Product Owner owns the Product Backlog and must work with the team to delegate responsibilities through communication, clarification, and motivation.

The Scrum Master

The Scrum Master acts as a coach in order to make sure that every team member understands Scrum and the role they have to play in it. Leading by example and working with the Product Owner, the Scrum Master helps with managing the Product Backlog and developing methods of streamlining it. The Scrum Master will support both the team and the Product Owner in applying Scrum – answering any questions, implementing artefacts to save the information, and attending events when actions will be performed.

The role of the Scrum Master is to help build teams, to inspect and adapt processes, to empower through leadership, and protect the team from disturbances.

The Scrum Team

The team can have between three and nine members and their mission is to build the product. The main work within the Scrum framework is carried out by this team with a common goal – sharing in the glory of a successful project and accepting responsibility for project failures.

Team members are expected to report their daily progress during stand-up meetings referred to as the Daily Scrum – a short meeting that ensures that all team members communicate – identifying any problems and resolving them and generally discussing creative ideas.

The Scrum team will ideally consist of self-organising professionals able to cross-function and connect with the Product Owner.

When Is Scrum Appropriate?

Scrum is a lightweight agile process framework used primarily for managing software development. So, it’s ideal for maximising responsiveness to customers changing needs within your profession.

Your scrum project success is defined by responsiveness to customer requests, with change being the norm, and no steps involving long lead times or lots of specialised resources.

The Virtual Chief Financial Officer

Virtual CFO services are a new concept allowing small businesses to get support with project management. You’ll be able to create a unique plan and get assistance through every phase – accounting for all your goals and objectives and giving you insight into every project management step.

Virtual CFO solutions ensure your project management plan will succeed with regards to scope, schedule, and cost. Everything will remain on target, and if circumstances change your Project Manager will intervene. This will be of great benefit when you use a Scrum approach to ensure your self-managing and multi-tasking team stays highly motivated.