Scrum project management

Scrum project management is becoming increasingly popular, and is based on the Agile method for software development. While Agile more defines the basic principles for successful software development, Scrum is a very specific approach for project teams.

The Scrum approach divides the highly complex, and often collaborative, development approach into small subtasks (increments) which are then processed into Sprints (iterations) one at a time.  Sprints usually last for a period of two to four weeks.

Scrum project management accepts that the entire process of development in all its facets is predictable. The number one priority is to deliver the best possible software, taking into account costs, functionality, time and quality.

Scrum project management is simple, but not trivial

In Scrum project management the project is not defined as a whole in advance. However, the working methods for the teams are precisely defined. Scrum project management works with exactly specified roles, standardised activities and tools to control and exchange information.

Scrum roles

Each team has a product owner, who represents the interests of the future users and other stakeholders. They are responsible for the economic success of the project.

A Scrum Master acts as facilitator and provider of the project team and creates the conditions for a successful project outcome. They organise and lead meetings and take care of technical issues that affect the whole team.

All other employees are an interdisciplinary project team which carries out the actual development work. Depending on the requirements, software developers, product designers, software testers, statisticians or mathematicians and other important profiles might be used.

Scrum project management artefacts

All definable product requirements are included in a provisional and changeable plan, the product backlog.

The Sprint backlog summarises all tasks to be completed in each Sprint and the responsibilities.

Each Sprint has a defined result or product, the product increment aims, which are presented to the product owner after the Sprint for approval.

Activities during Scrum project management

Subtasks represent the individual work steps in the Scrum Sprint and are assigned to individuals or small groups in the Scrum team.

The division is typically planned by the entire team during a Sprint planning at the start of a Sprint.

In short, daily Scrum meetings the current status and problems are discussed and solutions are found. Individual subtasks are usually modified here.

Sprint Review: the product owner decides if the development objective in the Sprint backlog was reached 100% and formulates missing components.

The team members discuss problems and possible improvements in the work method in a Sprint retrospective.

The basic principles of Scrum project management are easily recognisable – its strengths are the high division of labour with its fixed responsibilities and clearly defined goals. The development process that is broken down to individual sprints enables efficient work. This allows recurring problems in highly complex software development to be easily solved with Scrum project management.

Scrum project management in IT Outsourcing

We have used Scrum project management for many years at Outsourcing4work, and use this highly efficient methodology for our Outsourcing clients as well. We are more than just a pure service provider.

Thanks to our help, you can partially or completely outsource software development to India. We provide you with either qualified temporary employees or, for larger projects, a dedicated software developer or create a branch (light) exclusively for you.

You will always be on the safe side, even with demanding software projects, thanks to our European project managers who work with Scrum. Contracts are concluded directly with us as a European company. This gives you additional legal certainty.