An introduction to Scrum methodology
For majority of the software developers, Agile scrum methodology does not require any prior introduction. It is widely known that Agile is a comparatively new addition in the field of project management, and was primarily developed to overcome the drawbacks offered by traditional developmental methodologies such as the Waterfall method, which included a linear approach while executing projects. Typically, traditional methods support a top-to-bottom approach of segregating the entire project into main development activities, and tackling them one after another in a sequential method. The Scrum methodology offers a more flexible and dynamic approach of splitting up the entire project into individually executable project parts known as “Sprints”. Each sprint is processed or developed by many team members, who put in efforts to develop an entirely finished and shippable product at the end of the particular sprint.
For majority of the software developers, Agile scrum methodology does not require any prior introduction. It is widely known that Agile is a comparatively new addition in the field of project management, and was primarily developed to overcome the drawbacks offered by traditional developmental methodologies such as the Waterfall method, which included a linear approach while executing projects. Typically, traditional methods support a top-to-bottom approach of segregating the entire project into main development activities, and tackling them one after another in a sequential method. The Scrum methodology offers a more flexible and dynamic approach of splitting up the entire project into individually executable project parts known as “Sprints”. Each sprint is processed or developed by many team members, who put in efforts to develop an entirely finished and shippable product at the end of the particular sprint.
The main advantage of the Scrum methodology is that it increases the interaction between the “Product owner” and the team members. Increased client participation (or the Product Owner) leads to enhanced development experience, an advantage that is uniquely offered by Scrum and not other development methodologies. Another advantage offered by Scrum is the highly reduced turnaround time. Each sprint may typically last from one to four weeks, at the end of which a shippable product is delivered. The client is made aware about the development carried out at the end of the sprint by the team members. In many cases, the client can assume the role of the product owner and brief the scrum master regarding the development required. Typically, the sprints are numbered from zero, and proceed as “Sprint 1”, “Sprint 2”, etc. The client can determine the cost effectiveness of each sprint.
How the Scrum method works
The Scrum methodology involves three types of roles:
The Scrum methodology involves three types of roles:
Product Owner
In Scrum methodology, the product owner is the most important entity, since the person is responsible for the entire project undertaken and executed by the team. The product owner also represents the client’s interests, and is responsible for providing the vision as well as the idea regarding the product development and life cycle. The person has the authority to decide how the project should proceed, and when the sprints should be terminated if required. It is the product owner who faces the music if the project goes haywire, or fails to complete in time. In many ways, the person acts as a liaison between the product development team and the client, and is required to strike the correct balance between the client interests and demands, and what the development team is capable of offering. The product owner is also responsible for providing all the answers for everything connected with the project.
In Scrum methodology, the product owner is the most important entity, since the person is responsible for the entire project undertaken and executed by the team. The product owner also represents the client’s interests, and is responsible for providing the vision as well as the idea regarding the product development and life cycle. The person has the authority to decide how the project should proceed, and when the sprints should be terminated if required. It is the product owner who faces the music if the project goes haywire, or fails to complete in time. In many ways, the person acts as a liaison between the product development team and the client, and is required to strike the correct balance between the client interests and demands, and what the development team is capable of offering. The product owner is also responsible for providing all the answers for everything connected with the project.
Scrum Master
The main role of a scrum master is to ensure that the sprints carried by the team members properly follow the scrum methodology. The scrum master does not manage the team directly or indirectly. Rather, the person helps the team to remain productive, and removes any impediments occurring during the development process and while carrying out the sprint activity. The scrum master also ensures that the status and completion status are made available to the product owner as and when required. Another important role of the scrum master is to advise the product owner regarding how to maximize the ROI for the client.
The main role of a scrum master is to ensure that the sprints carried by the team members properly follow the scrum methodology. The scrum master does not manage the team directly or indirectly. Rather, the person helps the team to remain productive, and removes any impediments occurring during the development process and while carrying out the sprint activity. The scrum master also ensures that the status and completion status are made available to the product owner as and when required. Another important role of the scrum master is to advise the product owner regarding how to maximize the ROI for the client.
Team Members
The fundamental “unit” of the Scrum methodology, the team members combine to form a “sprint” team. Each team member is responsible for carrying out the work and contributes to the sprinting process. Therefore, each sprint consists of some sort of contribution and involvement by the team member. Generally, the teams contain up to seven members. Each team member specialises in a particular discipline of work, or a specialty. Typically, a team may consist of software engineers, programmers, architects, QA experts, analysts, UI designers, and testers. The team members unanimously decide how the particular sprint should be completed. They have the autonomy to decide upon the process employed in the sprint, but are responsible to satisfy the sprint related requirements in totality.
The fundamental “unit” of the Scrum methodology, the team members combine to form a “sprint” team. Each team member is responsible for carrying out the work and contributes to the sprinting process. Therefore, each sprint consists of some sort of contribution and involvement by the team member. Generally, the teams contain up to seven members. Each team member specialises in a particular discipline of work, or a specialty. Typically, a team may consist of software engineers, programmers, architects, QA experts, analysts, UI designers, and testers. The team members unanimously decide how the particular sprint should be completed. They have the autonomy to decide upon the process employed in the sprint, but are responsible to satisfy the sprint related requirements in totality.
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