Introduction
Scrum, a popular agile framework, has changed how teams approach project management. Scrum provides a clear structure for project management, its actual effectiveness rests in the underlying set of Scrum values that its practitioners follow. These values: commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect establish the foundation for effective collaboration and ongoing progress. Without them, teams risk losing the Scrum essence and compromising project success. In this post, we will look at the significance of Scrum values, why they are important, and what signs suggest that your team is adhering to Scrum values.
The Scrum Values
Commitment
“People personally commit to achieving the goals of the Scrum Team.”
Commitment can transform a team. It’s a promise to yourself, your teammates, and your organization to do the very best work you can. You can achieve great things together if everyone on your Scrum team is dedicated to delivering a completed increment of a useful project at the end of each sprint.
Courage
“Scrum team members have the courage to do the right thing and work on tough problems.”
Courage in the Scrum context is being willing to take risks, confront challenging situations, and question the status quo. It promotes openness and encourages team members to express their problems or provide new solutions. Without courage, the team may avoid essential risks, resulting in missed possibilities for growth and improvement.
Focus
“Everyone focuses on the work of the Sprint and the goals of the Scrum Team.”
Focus enables us to perform at our peak. We value focus by giving employees the time they need to think about their work. Allowing members of the development team to concentrate solely on one product, on the current sprint, and the current sprint goals gives them the best chance of success. Encourage the project owner to focus on the product’s future value, while the Scrum master focuses on maintaining Scrum.
Openness
“The Scrum Team and its stakeholders agree to be open about all the work and the challenges with performing the work.”
Transparency is built on openness, which is what makes Scrum work. If the members of your Scrum team (and the people who work with your team) are not open with each other and the wider organization, they will not be able to obtain honest feedback or adapt their work accordingly. You need to be open and honest, even when you are struggling or there is a tough issue to address. Transparency will suffer if you are not.
Respect
“Scrum Team members respect each other to be capable, independent people.”
Respect creates a feeling of safety. Being open with people may be frightening, and acknowledging when you’re stuck can be difficult, but respect makes both acts simpler. A high-performing Scrum team is built on mutual respect, and honest discussion create the safety needed to tackle difficult issues. Respect promotes team growth and learning.
Is your team adhering to Scrum values?
We now understand the significance of Scrum values; so the next question is your team is embodying these principles? To answer this question, start a discussion with your team about each value and try to figure out how well your team is performing.
If you require the initial set of questions or indications, please review some of the recommended items below.
Commitment
- The team exhibits a high degree of dedication and ownership in reaching the sprint goals.
- Individuals regularly complete their assigned tasks within the agreed-upon timeframes.
- Team members proactively collaborate and support each other to guarantee the sprint’s success.
Courage
- Team members are open and transparent about challenges, risks, and issues that arise during the sprint.
- They are willing to take calculated risks and experiment with new ideas or approaches.
- Individuals provide honest and constructive feedback, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Team members actively participate in sprint planning to ensure alignment with the goals of the product owner.
Focus
- The team remains focused on the sprint goal and avoids unnecessary distractions or scope creep.
- They prioritize work based on its value and impact, ensuring that the most important tasks are completed first.
- Team members actively participate in sprint planning and ensure alignment with the product owner’s priorities.
Openness
- The team encourages a culture of transparency, sharing information, and keeping lines of communication open.
- They have regular and effective sprint reviews and retrospectives to receive input and make required improvements.
- People are open to new viewpoints and ideas, which fosters cooperation and creativity.
Respect
- Team members show respect and empathy for each other’s perspectives, expertise, and contributions.
- They actively listen and promote various viewpoints during discussions and decision-making processes.
- Individuals seek to create a positive and inclusive work environment that is free of discrimination or harassment.
Through team observations, retrospectives, and feedback, these indicators may be evaluated on a regular basis to give insights on the team’s adherence to Scrum values. Open talks with team members are essential for fostering self-reflection and resolving any challenges or gaps in adhering to Scrum values.
