What is Agile Scrum methodology?

Agile and Scrum are terms that you will hear pretty frequently in the world of software development. Agile is a methodology that has taken the software industry by storm and we are even seeing it being adopted in other sectors as time goes by. However, many people still don’t know exactly what these terms mean and how they can be used to their maximum potential.

In this article, we are going to talk you through what an Agile Scrum methodology is, in plain English, so that you can understand and make the most of these terms for yourself. We believe that software development shouldn’t be locked behind closed doors and instead should be something that all sorts of people all across the world can profit and benefit from.

First, let’s define some terms.

The definitions of “Agile” and “Scrum”

Agile is a project management system used in software development companies to maximise efficiency in a range of projects. A software development project’s lifecycle is broken down into chunks, or “increments”, in order to plan ahead and work steadily towards an end goal. A software development time working within an Agile framework will often plan 2-4-week “sprints” at a time for their upcoming work, outlining what will be done, by who, and when.

“Scrum” is a term within this Agile framework. It refers to a way of working or method that complicated projects or projects with many, varied members of the team. A scrum methodology is one which works to bring everyone together in a clear and cohesive structure, again following the concept of incremental development, as we discussed above.

Software development projects can often be on a large scale and there can be many people working towards one similar goal. An Agile Scrum methodology works to make this process as simple and efficient as possible. It defines the structure of the project, including meetings and job responsibilities. A key aspect of the Scrum method is the job roles within each team, let’s discuss those in more detail in our next section.

The different roles of an Agile Scrum team

There are three main roles within an Agile Scrum team. These are not intended to work in a hierarchical, tiered or sub-group way, instead, they are intended to work hand-in-hand and collaboratively with the same end goal in mind.

They are as follows:

Product owner

The product owner’s main task in a Scrum project is to manage the product backlog. This is an “ordered list of work to be done in order to create, maintain, and sustain a product”. The product owner liaises with internal and external stakeholders and the Scrum team to relay requirements and expectations for these pieces of work and the overall project.

The main aim of a product owner is to ensure quality and value in a software development project. They are the ones who can see the overall vision for a project and they are in charge of making sure the work being done is consistent with this vision. They are in control of release planning and management, in which they manage the project’s life cycle from start to finish.

The role of a product owner is conceptual with a long-term vision, as opposed to the Scrum master who works on a more tangible and everyday level. The two will work together in harmony to ensure best practices within a project on its many levels.

Scrum master

The Scrum master’s job is to ensure smooth and efficient working towards the end goal. It is an overseeing role that can also include coaching, mentoring and training if needed by the team. Continual improvement and efficiency growth is the main field of interest for the Scrum master, as they focus on how the team can provide the best possible work for themselves and their client.

A Scrum master is different from a typical project manager. As we have mentioned, they are not “above” the members of the Scrum team, rather they are meant to work in tandem with them and guide the process when necessary. They are also not typically involved with release planning or stakeholder liaison, as this is the role of the product owner within a Scrum framework. It is the day-to-day workings of the team and the functioning of the project that is the concern of a Scrum master. They will plan sprints, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.

Development team

Who works within a development team on a Scrum project can vary depending on the requirements and scope of the project. Some common roles you would see within the team would include software developers, architects, testers, designers, engineers, and more. The teams tend to consist of 5-9 people, depending on the project’s needs.

A development team on a Scrum project is supposed to be relatively self-sufficient. While there is training from the Scrum master, they are mostly left to complete the work they need to complete for a project life cycle. Their progress is overseen by the Scrum master so that it can be as efficient as possible, and the work is consistently planned and reviewed to ensure quality.

Overall, the development team is a set of skilled and knowledgeable individuals working towards the same goal. They work in short increments which are meticulously planned and reviewed in order to be the best work possible.

Why is an Agile Scrum methodology helpful in software development?

So, now that you know how a Scrum team is constructed and what each member does, the next question you might have is why is this approach used. What?

Well, to illustrate why an Agile Scrum methodology is so beloved by software development companies, we will tell you our favourite benefits of the model. The methodology offers the following to development teams and the clients they are serving:

• Flexible and adaptive approach: Due to the incremental approach of a Scrum team, there is room for flexibility and adaptability at many different points. Any problems that arise can be reviewed and dealt with while the project is in motion and this allows the project to grow organically and unimpeded.
• Prioritising collaboration and teamwork: As we discussed, collaboration and teamwork are key within a Scrum team. All levels of the team work together with a common ethos. This allows work to go smoothly and ensures a better atmosphere for everyone at the same time. Working together gets the job done.
• Connection with client and development team: The role of the product owner allows for a higher level of connection between the client and the people working on their project/product. Such a link ensures that the client’s requirements and vision are more accurately met and allows a better relationship between everyone involved.
• Organisation and efficiency: Main attributes of a Scrum team are organisation and efficiency. The planned, incremental, and collaborative nature of the team leads to very product and effective working, which is beneficial to a project’s progression.
• Better estimates and shorter turnover times: Due to sprint planning and review, Scrums are much better at providing clients with better time estimates and shorter turnover times for the entire software development project. These aspects can allow a client to feel much more involved with the project and to feel reassured that their needs are being met by the software development team they have outsourced.
• Increased quality of end product: Ultimately, working in an Agile way helps software development teams build a base of happy clients. The overall end products built in an Agile Scrum method are to a higher standard and an increased quality level than other ways of working. It is an approach that keeps the developers and the clients happy, and that is a wonderful end result for everyone.