Scrum Resources

16.02.2010Here can be found some very basic info about how to get started with Scrum.

GETTING STARTED WITH SCRUM

If you are a developer or tester and want to hit the ground running with Scrum you need to read this book: Scrum and XP from the Trenches. It gives all the practical details on Scrum and explains how to use XP engineering practices to build the ability to deliver working software in every iteration. And it's free!

For people wanting to migrate their organization to using Scrum we recommend Mike Cohn's new book: Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum.

The scrum alliance provides a bunch of articles and discussions on Scrum methods.

 

SCRUM ROLES

Scrum terminology is very hard to translate to a different language. In the Finnish language we have obvious translations for product owner and team but what about the scrum master? The original term uses the word master which might give the incorrect impression of having power over other people. Currently we like to use the word janitor (talonmies or talkkari) which feels closer to the real job description.

Remember, it is all about communication and feedback

Remember, scrum itself does not solve any problems, the whole point of it is to help make problems visible so that they can be solved.

The most powerful way of doing so, is by effective communication and continuous feedback. Get to know the people you work with. Respect the opinions of everyone on the team. Build work-relationships based on equalness and trust. Trust is very important for people in order to communicate openly and to give and receive honest feedback.

One fun way of learning and practicing your team's communication skills is through this multiplayer 3D game, developed for teambuilding and leadership training.

 

SQUEAKY SCRUM TOYS

Effective meetings need squeaky toys. Here are some examples from one of our scrum teams. Whenever someone wanders too far off-topic he gets interrupted by a sqweeeek!

 

PLANNING POKER CARDS

Planning poker is a great way to estimate the size of backlog items as a team. Planning poker cards are available in a variety of styles. Some have numbers, some use the small/medium/large clothing sizes and some even use animals to illustrate the relative size.

 

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR LOCAL AGILE COMMUNITY

Finland has an active agile community organised under the non-profit AgileFinland organisation. See the AgileFinland wiki and mailing list

The local agile comminities in Helsinki, Oulu and other bigger finnish cities organize monthly Agile dinners, which are a great way to get in touch with fellow agilists in your own city. Check the agilefinland wiki for upcomming dinners near you.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 11th International Conference on Agile Software Development, XP2010, is a leading international conference on agile methods in software and information systems development, held in Trondheim, Norway on June 1-4.2010.