• Agile & Scrum Basics

Are you ready for Scrum and Agile working? Here is your checklist

Is your job still the same as it was six years ago? That chance is pretty slim. Most likely, your work has become quite complex and changeable. That’s why organizations are constantly looking for ways of working that fit the circumstances. Agile is one such way of working!

Agile working means being agile and nimble. There are Agile ways of working, teams, organizations and so on. The most well-known Agile working method is Scrum. Scrum in action is equivalent to dividing the project into short cycles, also called sprints, of usually 2 weeks. During each cycle, topics are completed and results are presented.

Scrumming – or Agile development. You’ve heard of it before and then, of course, you get raving about it. But is Scrum right for your project? And is your organization ready for it?

Agile and Scrum Checklist

Of course, almost all organizations are unique. Therefore, there is no blueprint for successful Agile working. Indeed, Scrumming allows you to quickly deliver functionality in short iterations. Find out with this checklist whether you are ready for a Scrum project.

Check 1: Can you work together intensively?

Agile development equals collaboration. Scrum means there are certain roles for person on a team. Think Scrum Master, Product Owner and the development team. They work together frequently and intensively. Do you have the time and capacity for that?

Check 2: Product Owner in house?

Scrum requires a good Product Owner. He or she is the link between the development team and the organization. It is important that the Product Owner knows the business 100%. Who the stakeholders are, what their wishes are and so on. In addition, the Product Owner is the person who has to explain choices to the stakeholders in the organization. Every few weeks you get to see a small build and it takes shape little by little. As a Product Owner, you also have to explain that to your stakeholders. Can you do that? Yes, beautifully. Can’t do that? Get in touch with Scrum Academy.

Check 3: Are you open to communication?

Scrumming hinges on communication. Agile working is, above all, a lot of doing and making. A willingness to communicate a lot is key. The Product Owner must have the mandate to make decisions independently, but of course, he or she does not know everything. He or she must be able to consult and solicit input. Short lines of communication and a willingness to provide quick feedback are essential in this regard. Is this willingness present?

Check 4: Are you willing to do a lot of testing?

One of the Scrum pillars is that after each sprint, you deliver a product that can be tested by stakeholders. That means that as a client, you have to be willing to test and provide feedback every 2 to 3 weeks.

Check 5: Can you start small?

As a customer or client, you naturally have a picture in your mind of what the final product will look like. The principle of working in Scrum is that you deliver functionalities in iterations. Do you want to develop step by step? And without delivering a complete product all at once? Then scrumming is for your organization.

Scrum in action in so not just done. It’s hard work, a lot of collaboration, testing and then some. It takes a lot of time and energy for multiple parties, but it is well worth it. Why. Discover the benefits of Scrum and Agile working here.