Scrum software development
What is Scrum?
Scrum comes from Agile Manifesto, which is a movement in software development.
Scrum is a type of procedural structure that helps to organize creative processes during software (but not exclusively only software) development. It is also a set of basic: Roles, Events, Artifacts and Rules that support the efficiency of the team. It is a framework that allows the staff to decide how and when they want to carry on with the project.
In a case of IT implementations, it is important to remember about constantly changing technology. The need for rapid adaptation to unstable conditions makes working in Sprints (components of Scrum) even more efficient.
It is worth remembering that even the incomplete system implemented in accordance with the provisions of Scrum is suitable for use! In subsequent stages of development, it can simply be expanded with other operating modules. It is also the customer’s decision to stop the whole process. The project can be paused at any time and moved to the phase of system maintenance. Even previously abandoned project can then always be resumed.
Scrum - advantages
Results control
The possibility of reviewing various stages of the production, as many times as necessary. Developers also have the right to modify the set of following tasks, in order to meet evolving customer’s demands.
Current results’ tests
A comprehensive IT project is always divided into stages (Sprints), which allows to focus on currently developed sections of the code. This ensures reliability and quality of the final product.
Full customer orientation
Scrum allows building a system fully tailored to individual customer’s needs. It also facilitates rapid identification of errors. SCRUM development team is always able to bring their project back on track, even if the requirements have changed.
Scrum software development at eVolpe Software House
At eVolpe Software House Scrum is already a standard. At the beginning, it was mainly used for large, relatively complex projects. Nowadays it has become a principle of our organization.
In order to ensure a high level of our service, we have decided to adopt Agile Development to our daily practices. It is important to always start a project with the pre-implementation, complex analysis. In addition to the software requirements, it should also include the methodology of how the system will be deployed. A deliberate decision on the matter helps to avoid many misunderstandings, time-consuming, complicated contract annexes, dilemmas related to the merits of further cooperation etc.
Components of Scrum
Finally, some theoretical knowledge about the proper organization of Scrum. The rules of the framework fully reflect the assumptions made in the Agile Manifesto. Rule number one is customer’s satisfaction. To achieve it, it is necessary to adapt the following components:
Roles (Team Scrum)
Product Owner
responsible for choosing the tasks (What?)
Development Team
responsible for the way of performing the tasks (How?)
Scrum Master
ensures the progress of work in line with the agreed principles
Events (Sprint components)
Sprint planing
determination on what, how and for what the team will be working
Daily Scrum
verification of the status and possible adjustment of scheduled tasks
Sprint review
presentation of the completed work to the stakeholders
Sprint retro
identification and decisions on continuous process improvement actions
Artifacts
Product Backlog
ordered list of requirements that a Scrum Team maintains for a product
Sprint backlog
list of work the Development Team must address during the next Sprint
Product increment
effect of the work done during a single Sprint
Rules
Transparency
full access to the whole of the work at every stage
Sprint backlog
ongoing monitoring and verification of the product and the methods of team work
Product increment
the necessary changes homing the work back on track