However, dependency management occasionally becomes a considerable impediment in Scrum teams, adversely impacting the flow of work, producing constraints, and potentially compromising the delivery of value. For scrum masters preparing for Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) exam, understanding and mastering dependency management and visualization is critical. Here, we shall explore two techniques for visualizing, managing, or reducing dependencies: Dependency Mapping and Dependency Structuring.
1. Dependency Mapping
Dependency Mapping involves visualizing dependencies to foster better understanding and management. The two common forms are Dependency Matrix and Dependency Graphs.
A. Dependency Matrix
A Dependency Matrix is a grid-like illustration that uses rows and columns to designate the dependent and dependent upon elements.
| Element One | Element Two | Dependency (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|
| Task A | Task B | Yes |
| Task B | Task C | Yes |
| Task A | Task C | No |
The rows represent tasks dependent on other tasks, while the columns represent the tasks which other tasks depend upon. This simple structure aids in quickly identifying dependencies.
B. Dependency Graphs
On the other hand, Dependency Graphs use nodes to represent elements and lines/arrows to indicate dependencies. The flow of the arrow illustrates the direction of the dependency.
Example:
- Node A –> Node B (This indicates that Task A depends on Task B)
Visualizing dependencies through graphs helps in determining paths of work and finding the critical path, showing which tasks are most important to complete a project.
2. Dependency Structuring
Dependency Structuring involves organizing dependencies in a way to minimize blocks and enhance flow. One of these is Component-Based Structuring. In contrast, another way is the use of Design Patterns in software development.
A. Component-Based Structuring
Component-Based Structuring successfully encapsulates dependencies within components/modules. It implies breaking down the system into independent yet interacting components, ensuring that dependencies are confined within these components. It’s a typical architecture design technique to minimize dependencies, thereby increasing efficiency and maintainability.
Example:
- Component 1: User Interface (UI) – It may depend on Component 2 (Business Logic) and Component 3 (Data Access).
- Component 2: Business Logic – It may only depend on Component 3 (Data Access).
- Component 3: Data Access – This component is independent and does not depend on other components.
B. Use of Design Patterns
Another way of managing dependencies is utilizing Design Patterns in software development. Design Patterns provide a general solution to a common problem in software design. They can help reduce tight coupling between classes or entities, minimizing dependencies.
For instance, one common design pattern is the “Dependency Injection” pattern. It involves passing the dependent object (the dependency) as a parameter to the dependent object.
Example in Java:
// Dependent Class
class Foo {
private Bar bar;
Foo(Bar bar) {
this.bar = bar;
}
}
// Dependency Class
class Bar {
}
In the above example, the ‘Bar’ class is the dependency for the ‘Foo’ class. Rather than the ‘Foo’ class needing to instantiate a ‘Bar’ object within its methods (and thus creating a dependency), the ‘Bar’ object is passed to the ‘Foo’ object when it is instantiated, thus minimizing tight coupling.
By embracing these techniques, you can better manage and visualize dependencies, enabling your team to understand and resolve constraints better, facilitating smoother project execution. Remember, the goal should always be to decrease dependencies, optimize the flow of work, and provide value more efficiently.
Practice Test
True or False: Visualization is a technique for managing dependencies in Scrum.
- True
- False
Correct answer: True
Explanation: Visualization, like creating a dependency matrix or a dependency map, is a common way to manage and reduce dependencies. It makes it easier to understand and analyze the relationships between various tasks, teams or resources.
Which of the following are techniques for visualizing dependencies in Scrum?
- A. Gantt charts
- B. Critical path method
- C. Dependency matrix
- D. Fishbone diagram
Correct answer: A, B, C.
Explanation: Gantt charts, critical path method, and dependency matrix all aid in visualizing dependencies. Fishbone diagrams are used for identifying root causes of a problem.
True or False: Minimizing dependencies between teams is not an effective way to reduce dependencies in Scrum.
- True
- False
Correct answer: False
Explanation: Minimizing inter-team dependencies actually reduces the overall dependencies and complexity, resulting in easier project management and improving flow efficiency.
Which of the following helps manage dependencies by focusing on limiting the amount of work in progress?
- A. Scrum Guide
- B. User Story Mapping
- C. Kanban
- D. Yeti sizing
Correct answer: C. Kanban
Explanation: Kanban is a visual tool that helps to manage dependencies, particularly through its focus on limiting the amount of work in progress, which in turn can help to minimize dependencies.
True or False: A dependency map is not a useful tool for visualizing dependencies.
- True
- False
Correct answer: False
Explanation: A dependency map is actually a very useful tool for visualizing dependencies. It shows the relationships between different tasks, enhancing the understanding of the process flow and helping streamline work.
Single select: Which of the following is not a technique for managing dependencies in Scrum?
- A. Creating a dependency matrix
- B. Utilizing cross-functional teams
- C. Implementing the Waterfall model
- D. Implementing a priority system for tasks
Correct answer: C. Implementing the Waterfall model
Explanation: The Waterfall model is a traditional project management methodology which is more rigid and less adaptable compared to Scrum. It is not a technique for managing dependencies in Scrum.
True or False: Prioritizing tasks based on their dependencies can help manage dependencies.
- True
- False
Correct answer: True
Explanation: Prioritization of tasks greatly helps in managing dependencies as the most important and most dependent tasks are handled first, reducing the risk of project delays.
Which of these can help to reduce dependencies?
- A. Creating more specialist roles in the team
- B. Increasing the complexity of the project
- C. Increasing the team size
- D. Simplifying the project design
Correct answer: D. Simplifying the project design
Explanation: Simplifying the project design can help to decrease complexity and therefore reduce the amount of dependencies.
True or False: Collaborative decision-making techniques helps in managing dependencies.
- True
- False
Correct answer: True
Explanation: Collaborative decision-making helps in sharing the impact of dependencies and thus aids in effective dependency management.
Which of the following are techniques of managing dependencies?
- A. Regular communications
- B. Implementing strict hierarchies
- C. Risk management
- D. Both A and C
Correct answer: D. Both A and C
Explanation: Regular communications and risk management both are ways to manage dependencies. Strict hierarchies can lead to more complexities and challenges that can increase dependencies rather than manage them.
Interview Questions
What is Dependency Mapping in Scrum?
Dependency mapping is a visualization technique used in Scrum to understand the relationships between different tasks, teams or projects. It helps to anticipate problems that may arise due to these dependencies and plan accordingly.
How can Cross-Functional Teams minimize dependencies in Scrum?
Cross-Functional Teams can minimize dependencies by having diverse skill sets within a team. This allows the team to handle more work independently and reduces the need to rely on other teams for certain skills or expertise.
Which visualization tool can help in managing dependencies in a Scrum project?
The Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM), also known as Dependency Mapping, is a square matrix designed to represent the project dependencies and help understand if the project schedule is realistic and achievable.
What role does Priority Sorting play in managing dependencies?
Priority sorting helps in identifying the order in which tasks should be completed. By prioritizing tasks based on their dependencies, teams can ensure that dependent tasks aren’t delayed due to unfinished prerequisite tasks.
What is the role of a ScrumMaster in reducing dependencies?
An Advanced Certified ScrumMaster plays a crucial role in reducing dependencies by coaching the team on cross-functionality, helping them to remove obstacles, and ensuring that the team is collaborating effectively to minimize dependent work.
How does Spike Investigation help in reducing dependencies in Scrum?
Spike Investigations, being time-boxed experimental periods, allow the team to explore potential solutions or designs that could help in managing and reducing dependencies ahead of time.
What is the Dependency inversion Principle and how does it help in reducing dependencies in Scrum?
The Dependency Inversion Principle is a programming principle which facilitates decoupling of software modules. This principle, when followed, leads to a reduction in the inter-dependency of modules, making the code easier to refactor, change, and redeploy.
What are Parallel Sprints in Scrum and how do they help in managing dependencies?
Parallel Sprints are when two or more Scrum Teams work on different functionalities of the same product during the same sprint framework. This can help manage dependencies because the teams can work on interdependent tasks simultaneously, therefore reducing delays.
How can one manage External Dependencies in Scrum?
External dependencies can be managed by maintaining open communication channels with external teams or vendors, setting expectations early, closely tracking their progress and adjusting your team’s work accordingly.
How does reducing Work In Progress (WIP) help in managing dependencies?
By reducing Work In Progress, Scrum teams limit the amount of work being undertaken at a given time. This increases focus, enhances communication within the team, and results in quicker identification and resolution of dependencies.
What’s the role of a Product Owner in managing dependencies?
The Product Owner can manage dependencies through effective backlog management. They can prioritize items in the product backlog based on dependencies, ensuring the right tasks are worked on at the right time.
Why are Daily Stand-Ups important in managing dependencies?
Daily Stand-Ups provide a platform for the team to discuss progress, obstacles, and plan for the day. This daily communication allows early identification and resolution of dependencies.
How does Componentization reduce dependencies in Scrum?
Componentization involves breaking down the product into smaller, independent components that can be developed separately, thereby reducing dependencies.
How does the “Work Breakdown Structure” help in visualizing dependencies?
In Scrum, a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team. WBS makes the visualization of dependencies, understanding the relationship between different tasks and their impact on the schedule easier.
How does Continuous Integration help in minimizing dependencies?
Continuous Integration involves integrating work products from individual developers several times a day. This practice encourages developers to work on small parts in small batches, limiting the scope of dependencies and thus minimizing their impacts.
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