When teams first start adopting Scrum, it seems like they often encounter similar challenges. In this article, I will address some of the common commons facing new Scrum teams and how to overcome them.
Understanding the Basics of Scrum
Well, this one is a bit obvious, but when teams first adopt Scrum, they really don’t know how to work together within the Scrum framework. They may have a theoretical understanding of Scrum, but using Scrum is different than reading about it. Scrum isn’t just about having a Daily Scrum or a Sprint Review - it’s about understanding why these things are important and how to use them for the team’s highest advantage.
I recommend that teams adopting Scrum should take the Applying Professional Scrum course together. This course can help the team start off on the right foot, and can really accelerate value delivery by removing misconceptions and confusion about the Scrum framework. The Applying Professional Scrum course lets teams practice Scrum together in an immersive experience. The shared experience also creates alignment and makes adapting Scrum easier in practice.
Building and Maintaining a Strong Product Backlog
The Product Owner is accountable for the content and ordering of the Product Backlog. But saying that five times fast doesn’t make a Product Backlog magically appear. The Product Backlog is something that can’t be created alone or in a vacuum. The Product Owner needs to work with stakeholders as well as the Scrum to create a Product Backlog that maximizes customer value.
Many Scrum teams spend some time each Sprint working with the Product Owner to ensure that the Product Backlog has enough ready work for the upcoming Sprint. Other Scrum teams don’t refine the Product Backlog in advance but instead spend more time in Sprint Planning discussing what will be done in the upcoming Sprint. Either way the Scrum team should work out how to conduct refinement in their unique environment so that the team is not being held back by a lack of ready work.
Delivering Incrementally and Achieving “Done” by the End of the Sprint
One of the key goals of Scrum is delivering an increment that meets the Definition of Done by the end of each sprint. This can be challenging for new teams, especially if they’re not used to delivering work in small, incremental steps. Teams often struggle to adapt to this new rhythm and may find it difficult to “get to done” within the sprint timeframe.
Discussing these challenges in the Sprint Retrospective can be enlightening. A Five Whys exercise can help the team dig into what’s preventing them from delivering incrementally. By identifying root causes, the team can find targeted solutions, such as refining their Definition of Done, breaking work down into smaller pieces, or improving collaboration with other teams or departments.
Final Thoughts
Scrum offers a simple, powerful way for teams to navigate complex work, but for new teams, mastering the basics takes time and practice. By focusing on understanding Scrum, building a strong Product Backlog, and delivering incrementally, teams can build momentum and start experiencing the benefits of Scrum. Remember that these challenges are normal—overcoming them is a step toward becoming a high-performing Scrum team.