Sun 16 Mar 2025
Scrum – a method for engaged professionals to work better together.
This is my definition of what Scrum is – and what it has been from the very beginning. Let’s break down this definition into parts:
- method – a certain way of operating, a set of rules and practices that structure the work process, giving it a repeatable rhythm, providing the necessary stability that makes it easier to deal with complexity,
- engaged – yes, this is not for those who don’t want to make an effort, who don’t care, who want to float through working hours with minimal effort and, having done that, focus on what really interests them (if they have anything like that)
- professionals – people who are “characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession” (Merriam-Webster dictionary), that is people who have certain standards, who won’t do anything poorly or “just to get it done”,
- work together – the concept of “shared work” – Scrum makes sense where there is a need for close, constant, and daily cooperation between people with diverse competencies and knowledge, where there is no room for “passing the baton,” where, like in a well-trained football team, everyone plays toward the same goal, rather than doing “their own thing” and not caring about the rest.
- better – yes, this is for those who want to work better, who are always looking for new knowledge, new skills – they care, because they are engaged, they care, because they are professionals and as such seek the path to excellence in what they do.
Do you now understand why the average Scrum in an average company is the way it is? Do you understand why “big transformations” ended up the way they did? Well, how many engaged professionals are there – 10%? 15%? Maybe… at best!
There’s nothing you can do about that. However, you can choose who you want to be.
And who you want to work with.