Scrum

Scrum is a set of practices and rules that optimise the development environment, reduce organisational overhead, and closely synchronize requirements with iterative prototypes.

Scrum enables the best possible software to be constructed given the available resources, acceptable quality, and required release dates. Useful product functionality is delivered every thirty days as requirements, architecture, and design emerge.

Scrum embraces unpredictability, complexity and the constant change that results in all product development. This unpredictability renders detailed long-term plans meaningless and a waste of money. With Scrum, a vision of a project's value is projected in a baseline plan. The project moves forward, in iterative, time boxed development increments known as Sprints. Each Sprint must deliver demonstrable value. Progress is reviewed at the end of the Sprint and account is taken of environmental and objective changes. Adaptations are made to the project to optimise the likelihood of realising the most value.

Scrum provides management rules that insulate development teams from distractions and ensure that impediments are quickly addressed. Communications within the team are regular, open, rigorous and frequent. Externally, stakeholders are also engaged regularly and frequently through a single point of contact.

In summary, Scrum is value focused and pragmatic, providing a controlled route to early and frequent project success.