From the #Scrum Guide: "Scrum is simple."
Is it, though?
Then why do so many teams struggle with it? Why do organizations say it doesn’t live up to expectations? If Scrum is so simple, why does it often seem so hard?
What Does "Simple" Mean?
From Cambridge Dictionary: "Simple: easy to understand or do."
Easy to understand?
Probably. The words in the Scrum Guide aren’t complex. It’s not a massive book—just 13 pages. It defines: 5 values, 3 accountabilities, 5 events, and 3 artifacts. This sounds easy to grasp.
Easy to do?
Sure. "Doing" Scrum is straightforward: assign roles, schedule events, create and maintain artifacts. Setting it up is simple.
Easy to be effective with Scrum?
Not really. And here’s the key: Scrum isn’t about “doing” Scrum. It’s about achieving business results.
Simply following Scrum’s mechanics isn’t enough. Teams must embrace the foundational principles that make Scrum work:
Empiricism
Lean Thinking
Scrum Values
We’ll explore these in future posts, but for now, consider the following crucial aspects of effective Scrum (not an exhaustive list):
Beyond "Doing" Scrum – What Makes It Work?
Are team members and stakeholders actively collaborating?
Not just exchanging updates, but truly working together—solving problems at the same time, rather than engaging in a back-and-forth ping-pong of information.Does the team have all the skills needed to solve the challenge at hand?
If not, how are they growing those skills? Or is the team dependent on others, leading to delays, bottlenecks, and waste?Is there a culture of psychological safety?
Can team members openly share challenges and blockers without fear of blame? Is learning encouraged?Are Scrum Events real working sessions?
Are Sprint Planning, Reviews, and Retrospectives focused on product improvements and actions? Or have they turned into status meetings for management?
For deeper insights on these topics, check out my previous Scrum Fundamentals Series.
"Simple" Does Not Mean "Easy"
Discipline is needed—to continuously learn and improve.
Courage is required—to experiment, fail, and adapt.
Focus is critical—laser-sharp focus on the next team and product goal.
Scrum is simple by design—so that teams can navigate complex work effectively. But mastering it? That takes effort.
How Do You Keep Scrum Simple? What’s one thing you do today to simplify and make your Scrum implementation more effective?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
I hope you find value in these short articles and if you are looking for more clarifications, feel free to make contact.
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Wishing you an inspiring read and a wonderful journey.
Scrum on!
