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Is Scrum the Right Approach for Every Problem?

January 27, 2021

To quote The Scrum Guide 2020...

"Scrum is a lightweight framework that helps people, teams and organizations generate value through adaptive solutions for complex problems."

 

Is every problem complex?

No.

Does every solution need to be adaptive?

No.

So, is Scrum the right approach for every problem?

No. (Obviously)

 

So, the follow up question has to be... so how can you tell when to use Scrum and when not to?

 

For me it comes down to 3 things...

  • 1. The complexity of the product or service you're trying to build

  • 2. Whether you'll need to respond to change (both changing requirements and change in the wider world)

  • 3. The culture of your team and your organisation

 

 

Unless your problem is complex then a more planned, predictive approach may well be a better fit.

And if you're not going to build an adaptive solution, in other words if you don't need to respond to change then all those events really are wasted time. ("Inspection without adaptation is considered pointless.")

But to be at all successful with Scrum you really need a growth mindset in place, a willingness to learn and change and a culture of trust and openness.

Did I miss anything???

 

 


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