With The Big Game around the corner this Sunday, ‘Team Talk’ is everywhere. Whether it’s sportscasters’ analysis of which football team will triumph on the gridiron or office water cooler debates over which defensive line is truly the best, what everyone is really talking about is Teams. As Scrum/Agile practitioners and tried and true football fans, we know two things for sure. The only football teams that make it to this championship level of excellence are Well-Formed Teams™[1]. And what about Scrum Teams who strive to excel? These Scrum Teams embody 6 Scrum values that are shared by the entire Team, not just demonstrated by a few, select Team Members.
What do we mean by Scrum values? It goes back to the crux of a Well-Formed Team – their commitment to being Value-Driven. We define Value-Driven as a Team that does their due diligence[2] and uses an appropriate Standard of Care[3] while doing their work, without lollygagging or gold-plating.” Given that definition, what do these Scrum values look like?
Scrum Value #1:
Avoid harm to other persons or their property
That’s the due diligence piece – the Team takes the care required to avoid harm.
Scrum Value #2:
Have the Professionalism and Integrity to get their work Done every time
That’s the Standard of Care – The Team follows appropriate processes and procedures to get their work done.
Scrum Value #3:
Provide sufficient ‘slack’ to the Team Members (but they don’t get to slack off)
That’s the lollygagging – The Team doesn’t aimlessly waste time but spends purposeful time to improve and innovate.
Scrum Value #4:
Do whatever Chores are necessary to support the work they are supposed to be doing
These Chores are the Team’s have-to-do internal items that are required by-products to get the work done.
Scrum Value #5:
Work together to improve their knowledge, teamwork, tools, and environment
The Team not only knows they need to work together to improve, but they also want to work together to improve.
Scrum Value #6:
Avoid unnecessary work
That’s the gold-plating – adding bells and whistles to their work that are unnecessary and costly.
While those 6 Scrum values may seem obvious – remember – obvious doesn’t mean easy. Take one look at the masters of the gridiron[4] this Sunday, and you’ll see just how hard it can be.
Speaking of hard – what if your Scrum Team and your primary Stakeholders are distributed, working across the ocean from each other?
What does your Team need to make Scrum work in that difficult scenario?
Your Team needs The Scrum Handbooks
As Always, Stay Agile.
Notes and Sources
- “Well-Formed Team.” ScrumDictionary.com. Accessed February 2, 2017.
https://scrumdictionary.com/term/well-formed-team/. - “Due Diligence.” ScrumDictionary.com. Accessed February 2, 2017.
https://scrumdictionary.com/term/due-diligence/. - “Standard of Care.” ScrumDictionary.com. Accessed February 2, 2017.
https://scrumdictionary.com/term/standard-of-care/. - “What Football Teaches Us About Scrum Teams.” 3Back. February 4, 2016. Accessed February 2, 2017.
https://3back.com/well-formed-teams/what-football-teaches-us-about-scrum-teams/.