A ball in play, a team of rugby players ready to give their all and a formation with an Anglo-Saxon name: Scrum. As we well know, in the sport of rugby this word refers to the way in which rival teams form a kind of “living network” to put the ball into play again, after a minor foul. Something similar happens in corporations and institutions but not as a sport but as a work methodology. What are we talking about? We are talking about the Scrum framework, easy to understand and easy to apply.

This action system is known worldwide by those who have a certain proximity to the business innovation ecosystem. This means that Scrum is part of the range of innovative tools that provides great benefits in terms of process optimization and obtaining constant value in short cycles. That is why we can affirm that this framework is part of the Agile methodologies.

Defining SCRUM

This is a framework used within teams that manage highly complex projects, in which members address challenges by working on the development and rapid delivery of MVP (the simplest version of a product with basic functionalities). 

One of the first distinctive features of Scrum has to do with the importance of the client's role in the project to be developed. Here the client is able to monitor each stage to intervene in the event that any changes must be implemented during the process. These changes may be related to fixes that align with your company's business objectives. In this way you can introduce functional or priority modifications at the beginning of each work block. 

Scrum also has a methodical personality that gives it the possibility of promoting agile values such as innovation, motivation and commitment of the team that is part of the project, ensuring that collaborators feel free to develop their capabilities to the highest level.

The 5 values in SCRUM

Being part of the rich ecosystem offered by the Agile school, this methodology shares all the values that make agile actions. But in this case, there is also a list of values ​​that make Scrum one of the most used frameworks around the world. Next:

• Courage: having the courage to do the right thing and solve complex problems.  
• Focus: organizing work in sprints provides certainty and allows efforts to be focused on achievable objectives.
• Commitment: for the Scrum framework to work it needs the commitment of all members involved.
• Sincerity: the Scrum team must be transparent about the work and the obstacles it encounters along the way.
• Respect: treating each other appropriately among colleagues and valuing each other's ideas and efforts is essential. 

How does it work?

This framework is based on the following aspects:

• Flexibility in adopting changes and new requirements during a complex project.
• The human factor.
• Collaboration and interaction with the client.
• Iterative development as a way to ensure good results.

The 3 pillars of SCRUM

• Transparency: with the Scrum framework, all those involved have knowledge of what happens in the project and how it happens. This creates a “common” understanding of the project, a global vision.
• Inspection: Scrum team members frequently inspect progress to detect potential problems. The inspection is not a daily exam, but a way to know that the work is flowing and that the team functions in a self-organized manner.
• Adaptation: When there is something to change, the team adjusts to achieve the sprint goal. This is the key to achieving success in complex projects, where the requirements are changing or poorly defined and where adaptation, innovation, complexity and flexibility are essential.

The teamwork

If we follow the Scrum values and principles, the team focuses on delivering value and offering quality results that allow the client's business objectives to be met.

To achieve this, Scrum teams are self-organized and multifunctional. That is, each person is responsible for certain tasks and for finishing them within the agreed times. This ensures the entire team delivers value, without needing help or close supervision from other members of the organization.

Below we break down the 3 most important roles in a work team:

Product Owner (PO)

He is responsible for maximizing the value of the work, which  It comes hand in hand with good Product Backlog management. The Product Owner is the only profile that constantly talks with the client, which requires him to have a lot of knowledge about the business.

Finally, a Scrum team should have only one Product Owner and this can be part of the development team. 

Scrum Master (SM)

He is responsible for ensuring that Scrum techniques are understood and applied in the organization. He is the Scrum manager, a leader who is responsible for eliminating impediments or inconveniences that the team has within a sprint, applying the best techniques to strengthen the team. Within the organization, the Scrum Master has the task of helping in the adoption of the framework in all teams. 

Development Team (Dev Team)

They are responsible for carrying out the tasks prioritized by the Product Owner. It is a multifunctional and self-organized team. They are the only ones who estimate the tasks in the product backlog, without being influenced by anyone. Development teams do not have sub-teams or specialists. The purpose of this is to convey shared responsibility if not all tasks in a sprint are completed.