Goals are the backbone of the Scrum framework, guiding teams through the complexities of product development. The importance of goals in Scrum can be traced back to the seminal 1986 article, "The New New Product Development Game," which laid the groundwork for what we now know as Scrum.
In the article, the authors highlighted that successful teams establish their own goals and continually elevate them throughout the development process. They also emphasized the role of top management in fostering an environment where goals are broad enough to encourage experimentation and trial and error but challenging enough to create tension and drive progress. This balance of freedom and focus is crucial in complex work environments where uncertainty is high, and the path to success is not always clear.
From these ideas, the Scrum framework was born. At the heart of Scrum is the Product Owner, who carries a vision for how their product will maximize value and improve customer outcomes. The Product Owner translates this vision into a Product Goal, which serves as a long-term objective that the Scrum team strives to achieve. Every Sprint, the team sets a Sprint Goal, a more immediate objective that represents a step toward the larger Product Goal.
The iterative nature of Scrum, with its focus on delivering a Done Increment each Sprint, allows teams to make steady progress toward their goals, even in the face of uncertainty. This process of setting and achieving goals enables teams to adapt to changing conditions, learn from their experiences, and continuously improve.
Do not underestimate the power of goals. The Product Owner should create and communicate a clear Product Goal, and the Scrum Team should create a Sprint Goal every Sprint.
By setting clear goals, teams can navigate the complexities of product development with purpose and direction, making goals a critical element in the success of any Scrum Team.