Last updated on August 3rd, 2023 at 01:25 pm
Scrum is a framework widely used in organisations to address adaptive and intricate problems. The Scrum Guide written by its originators explains roles, artefacts, events and rules of it precisely and succinctly. The greatest strength of this framework is its simplicity and the same causes many delusions and myths regarding it. In this article, we will clarify a few of the many myths surrounding the scrum.
Myth #1: The Sprint Backlog Cannot Be Modified During the Sprint
We can bust this myth by distinguishing between forecast and commitment in the prospect of Scrum Guide. The sprint backlogs describe the work that has to be done by the development team to reach sprint goal. The sprint goal is the target set by the Scrum Team during the planning process. So, as long as it doesn't divert the sprint goal, the sprint backlogs are open to changes.
Myth #2: The Releases Should Be Done Only At the Completion of the Sprint
This is a clear case of allotting more importance to the framework than its intention. Scrum framework emphasis on feedbacks to refine the problem and find the best solution. This sometimes misleads teams to abide till the end of the sprint to release. However, the objectives of the Scrum framework support improving the methods and processes up to a circumstance where releases can be done throughout the sprint.
Myth #3: The Daily Scrum Needs the Presence of Scrum Master
The Scrum Guide clearly confirms that Daily scrum is owned by the Development Team. Even though the Scrum Master has to assure that a Daily Scrum is taking place, It is the Development team who are accountable for administering the meeting. So, the Scrum Master can join in a Daily Scrum course if he would like to but it is not obligatory.
Myth #4: Prioritized Product Backlog
The Product Backlog is specified as an ordered list in the Scrum Guide. Even though the contrast may look trivial, it has importance. The vital role required from the product owner is undercut by limiting the product backlog as a prioritised list. He/she has to continuously reorder the Product Backlog to maximise the value achieved in each sprint as work advances.
Myth #5: The Scrum Master Has To Fix All the Problem
The Scrum Master is never accountable for solving all the problems. He/she needs to help the Development Team to settle their problem. According to the Scrum Guide, one of the several roles Scrum Master must do is to remove impediments to the Development Team's progress. The word impediments used here implies the problems that slow down the progress and lie outside the capacities of the Development team.
Myth #6: There Is No Planning In Scrum
As it turns out, a lot of planning is wanted in Scrum. The plans in this framework are hidden in the form of Product Backlogs, Spring Backlog and the Definition of Done. Different from the heavy paperwork what we traditionally understand as plans, we focus on planning as an activity to produce a shared opinion of the next step.
We busted a few popular myths about scrum in this article, and there are more myths concerning this topic. Gaining proper knowledge on the subject is the best way to limit these myths from slowing down the operations of enterprises.
