Scrum project management is an agile project management approach. The agile project management approach is, of course, one where projects are completed in small sections. In the process, insights gained from analyzing the results of a preceding step are used to determine the next step.
Scrum project management is typically employed in software development. Leadership is taken on by a point person or the scrum master whose main task is to ensure project completion within an allotted time frame.
In scrum project management, each task should be completed within a short and fast cycle called a “sprint.” You can think of scrum project management as a hurdle race that team members aim to finish within a specified time frame.
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To understand how scrum project management works, you first need to know the people and processes it involves.
How does Scrum Project Management Work?
Scrum projects begin by identifying a product owner or the person who has the authority to decide what the project’s outcome should be. That person will also be responsible for creating the backlog or the task list, which includes defining outcome requirements.
For example, the product owner wants to use the scrum approach to build a home. The backlog must include tasks to accomplish in order of priority. It should start with the must-haves (e.g., foundation, wiring, floors, walls, roofs, etc.) and end with optional items (e.g., bathtubs, shower enclosures, swimming pool, etc.). Creating a backlog is easier with the help of applications like Trello, Flow, and LucidChart.
Once the product owner has made a detailed list of requirements, then comes sprint planning and backlog creation. In this step, the team first needs to define how long a sprint or the time frame for each task will be. Then they can further break down and prioritize tasks identified in the project backlog into smaller chunks to make up sprint backlogs. Once all the sprints are plotted on the calendar, work begins.
To make sure each task is accomplished according to plan, the team members meet daily in so-called “daily scrums” or “daily stand-ups.” In these meetings, issues are raised and addressed to complete tasks on time. Budget requirements are taken up as well. Sprint completions are put through retrospective reviews here, too, to identify areas of improvement.
Why Use the Scrum Project Management Approach?
One of the best features of scrum project management is its transparency. Each team member is aware of all the events that transpire throughout the project’s implementation. Anyone can look at a scrum board where the backlog is plotted to see what has been achieved and what still needs doing.
Scrum project management also allows scrum masters or project leads to efficiently track each task’s progress while addressing issues to keep things running smoothly. And because tasks are assigned in small increments, it can help team members avoid feeling overwhelmed.
