As a subcategory of Agile Development, Scrum is a popular, lightweight development outline that provides the specific processes needed in order to achieve framework consistency of sprints, for example, by maintaining low overheads while increasing efficiency and output.
Scrum development is well-known for its precise models and efficient practices that are divided into three categories, which include Artifacts, Roles, and Time Boxes. These terms represent processes that enable effective development of relevant products, as well as the management of multifarious software programs effectively. These processes are also put in place to assist the business in responding fast to changing customer needs while ensuring that the business meets its bottom line goals.
The Scrum Process
The Scrum process starts with conveying particular features to sprint, and then facilitating effective collaboration between the different teams to expand on these features, which is a process that involves regular Scrum meetings to encourage a quick turnaround. The Scrum process from start to finish can take anything from 24 hours to 30 days until the new functionality is achieved.
The Scrum process can save your organisation a ton of money by encouraging productivity and enhancing collaboration while reducing overheads.
Scrum Roles
The main three roles required in realizing the Scrum process include the Scrum Master, his team and the product owner. However, before we delve into the definition of the role of a Scrum Master, let’s take a look at what’s required of the product owner and team members, which are both very essential elements to the Scrum process.
Product Owner
The product owner provides the team with the necessary requirements for the development of the product and acts as a middle-man between the team, the business, and its clients. Other responsibilities of the product owner include shielding the team from superfluous bug and feature repairs, which might come from all types of sources. Lastly, the product owner monitors the flow and storage of all this information, which is known as product backlog and is also expected to manage the productivity timelines and quality control processes.
Team
The team is made up of a multifunctional group of players that are self-organized and capable of performing the practical side of things, which includes the actual creation and testing the product before it is released. It is important that, although working closely with the Scrum Master, the Team should be endowed with the self-determination needed to make vital decisions regarding the development of the product, so as to promote effective collaboration, task allocation, and productivity during the course of Sprint.
For best results, it is advisable to keep the team at a manageable number of five to nine people, as a bigger team might cause a slump in productivity and will suffer in terms of agility.
Scrum Master
Lastly, we come to the Scrum Master. This individual is responsible for ensuring the entire sprint runs smoothly by combating challenges to productivity while organizing all the necessary meetings between the stakeholders. Other duties of the Scrum Master include:
- Working closely with the product manager to maximize ROI
- Facilitating smooth communication between the product owner and the team
- Promoting and ensuring a working environment that is conducive to creativity and efficiency
- Developing engineering practices that enable ease of shipment for each increment
- To serve as a mentor for the other Roles and ensure that the progress and status of the project is known by all members on an ongoing basis
