From the Scrum Guide: “Such tactics for using within the Scrum framework vary widely and are described elsewhere.”
From Cambridge Dictionary: “Tactic: a specific action intended to get a particular result” where “specific” means “relating to one thing and not others”, and “a planned method for achieving a particular result” where “particular” means “special, or this and not any other”.
A lot of people I meet are looking to Scrum for specific solutions. In its introduction though the Scrum Guides explains that specific actions are to be looked for elsewhere.
Why is that?
I have used Scrum within different industries, within different organisations, within all sorts of different contexts.
And while in each of these situations was a complex setting, the specifics of each of these teams was quite different, making that how a team implemented a Scrum concept, each time varied. Sometimes with minor differences, sometimes significantly different.
For example: a Sprint Review during which it is expected to use the improved product is quite different when you have a website or a tractor… (I did both…) Still, in both cases the purpose of the Sprint Review remains to get feedback from the intended users on how to further improve the solution.
The way to have a Sprint Planning session with a team having all members on-site, is quite different compared to planning with a full remote team… Still, in both cases the purpose of the Sprint Planning remains to lay out the work to be performed for the Sprint.
People should not blame Scrum that a practice is not working out for them. A practice is just a tactic, a specific action. The Scrum framework does not describe any tactics.
Think about it: which tactics work for your team? Which one might you want to change?
I hope you find value in these short articles and if you are looking for more clarifications, feel free to take contact.
Don't want to miss any of these blog posts? Have the “The Scrum Guide Explored” series weekly in your mailbox.
Wishing you an inspiring read and a wonderful journey.
Scrum on!
