Scrum Framework contributes to a lot of improvements in a company. Of course, each business is run differently, and for some, this method of operation may not be helpful.
However, many companies that produce a digital product and have both the necessary resources and teams decide to use it. Some of the reasons an organization decides to include Scrum in its processes are:
Income:
When Scrum is used, an Increment is prepared after each Sprint, which contributes to the final product. This method of work helps to make a finished product faster on the market than it could in a business, which leads to increased revenue. Reference: “Why do you want to be a Scrum Master?“, https://ossalumni.org/why-do-you-want-to-be-a-scrum-master/
Control / Transparency:
Every business owner or partner wants to have a look at what’s going on in their business. Because Scrum is a transparent method of work, it allows each member to know exactly what has been done, who is responsible, and why it has been created. In this way, the company can control both the process and the budget. Reference: “Scrum Master instead of project manager“, https://60yearsnato.info/scrum-master-instead-of-project-manager/
Risk:
The transparency and tasks of the Product Backlog help to identify potential risks or problems related to the Increments to the final product. In this way, the Scrum team can take the necessary measures promptly and control the risk associated with the product. Reference: “Scrum and Kanban: similarities and differences“, https://www.policymatters.net/scrum-and-kanban-similarities-and-differences/
Productivity
Scrum events are time-boxed, which means that at a specific time and time you know what needs to be done by the teams. This routine helps members’ productivity and increases team productivity, leading to faster results. Reference: Muzonet.com
Solving complex processes and projects:
Finally, let’s not forget that the Scrum Framework helps solve complex processes and projects. It often happens in the digital field that a company needs several teams of programmers to create a final product, which requires transparent communication between the teams, specific tasks in the Product Backlog, and Scrum Master to lead the whole process. Reference: “Why apply Scrum to your company projects“, https://www.worldforgemagazine.com/why-apply-scrum-to-your-company-projects/
Reasons an organization not to include Scrum in its projects
Like everything has positive things, Scrum has shortcomings or simply does not fit into the company’s business model. That’s why some organizations decide not to work on the Scrum Framework because they do not think it will contribute to the desired results for them. Reference: “Why use Scrum for your projects?”, https://medfd.org/why-use-scrum-for-your-projects/
Here are some reasons why a company may not decide to include the work model:
Challenge:
Implementing the Scrum Framework in large companies with many teams is a common, time-consuming, frustrating, and costly challenge. This would be a reason for organizations not to choose to work with the Scrum method. Reference: “Why do organizations not use the Scrum framework intentionally?“, https://agileprogramming.org/why-do-organizations-not-use-the-scrum-framework-intentionally/
Unnecessary meetings:
As already mentioned, Scrum has several events with a specific duration. One of them is the Daily Scrum, where developers meet every day for 15 minutes to discuss what they did the day before and what needs to be done in the next 24 hours. These frequent meetings sometimes bore the teams because they want to focus entirely on developing the increments and see these meetings as unnecessary. Reference: “Why use Scrum for your projects?“, https://medfd.org/why-use-scrum-for-your-projects/
Lack of experienced teams:
One of the most global problems for companies today is the lack of staff. This problem can prevent a business from introducing the Scrum method of work precisely for this reason – the lack of accurate specialists in the team. If the people working in the development team are missing the Product Owner, the result of the introduction of Scrum is lost. Reference: Why Organizations Should Use Scrum and Agile Methodologies and When They Don’t Use Scrum, scrumtime.org, https://scrumtime.org/why-organizations-should-use-scrum-and-agile-methodologies/
Difficulties in implementing Scrum
To introduce Scrum in an organization, the first and most important rule is to convince the management team of the benefits that will contribute to better results. If they do not understand this way of working, the process will always be disrupted or will never be implemented properly. Reference: “Why do you want to be a Scrum Master?”, https://www.libraryofmu.org/why-want-to-be-scrum-master/ Here are some of the difficulties that senior management would face:
Knowledge:
If the management team does not understand how Scrum works, then the model of work will be disrupted, as well as not believing in the benefits. Reference: “Scrum framework: Questions and Answers“, https://www.kosovatimes.net/scrum-framework-questions-and-answers/
Disruption of the process:
One of the most common difficulties in implementing Scrum for the management department is that they often violate it. A common example is the team’s desire to influence the prioritization of Increments, and at the last minute, they decided to completely change the order of tasks during Scrum. They also often want to talk to developers, thus disrupting and influencing the impact of their work. Reference: “Why use Scrum for your organization’s projects”, https://customessaysonline.net/why-use-scrum-for-your-organizations-projects/
Budget:
For certain companies, the budget also plays an important role and can affect the implementation of Scrum. If the organization does not have enough resources to hire the right teams, this will stop the company from working on this method.
Time:
If the management team does not have the time to spend on the implementation of this type of work, then this will be another difficulty in working with Scrum. Reference: https://customessaysonline.net/
Change:
If a management department has worked on the same method for years, then change for them is something they are afraid of and will affect the implementation of a new model of work.
There is no specific role of “qualified inspector” in Scrum. The team of developers is multifunctional and has all the skills needed to prepare the promotion and implement their definition of “Done”. If testing is needed, many people on this team can do it.
Also, let me remind you that the various Scrum events require specific participants so that they can inspect and adapt the work done and the way the work is done.
For example, in the Daily Scrum, developers jointly inspect work over the past 24 hours, making them qualified inspectors for the event. This check is more useful when conducted diligently by this team than by me or the Product Owner or anyone else. There is no way you can inspect the work of developers if you do not have these skills.
Another example is Retrospective. It will be more useful when performed diligently by the Scrum team than by any outside participant who has not been part of the sprint as a member of the Scrum team.
The role of the Scrum Master
As a Scrum Master, my job is to inspect and adapt everything related to improving the Scrum process. And the Product Owner and Development team must inspect and adapt Product Backlog, DOD, and AC based on the quality of the increment performed and the feedback from internal and external stakeholders.
According to the Scrum Guide, you can only be invited under these two conditions:
“The development team may also invite other people to attend to provide technical or domain advice.”
“At the end of the sprint, a Sprint Review is conducted to inspect the Increment and, if necessary, to adapt the Product Backlog. During the Sprint Review, the Scrum Team and shareholders collaborated on what was done at Sprint. Participants may only include the Scrum team and key shareholders invited by the Product Owner. ”
If you are a technical expert and can advise the domain team or be part of shareholders, then only you can attend the event. However, you will only be invited to advise the team, but you do not have the right to manage the team throughout the process.
In conclusion, I would like to thank you for your interest. But we strictly follow the use of the Scrum method of work and for this reason, I do not see how you would be useful to our teams. Your experience would only be useful if you have the technical knowledge or are part of a stakeholder team. I hope you understand and show respect for our decision.
