Scrum is a popular, agile framework characterized by short, iterative work periods called sprints. It’s commonly used in software development environments due to its efficiency and focus on continuous improvement. One significant aspect of implementing Scrum is the creation of a dedicated Scrum team, which requires careful planning and thoughtful execution. For those studying for the Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM) exam, understanding the necessary steps in launching a new Scrum team is essential.
Understand Your Project
Every project is unique and carries its own sets of challenges and requirements. Before setting up your Scrum team, gather all the information you need about your project. Understand its objectives, requirements, and expected outcomes. Knowledge of the project scope will guide essential decisions such as team composition, division of tasks, and Scrum roles assignment.
Assembling Your Scrum Team
Your Scrum team needs to consist of a Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the Development team.
- Product Owner: The product owner is the vision bearer. They have a deep understanding of the product and its users. In collaboration with stakeholders, they prioritize the work and make critical decisions about the product direction.
- Scrum Master: The Scrum Master is the coach. They guide the team in Scrum principles, remove obstacles, facilitate meetings and ensure a conducive environment for team productivity.
- Development Team: The development team members carry out the work. They should be cross-functional, meaning they possess all the skills necessary to deliver shippable increments at the end of every Sprint.
Here’s a brief table showcasing these Scrum roles:
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Product Owner | Visionary, decision-maker, priorities management |
| Scrum Master | Guide, facilitator, problem-solver |
| Development Team | Implement tasks, deliver value |
Scrum Training and Scrum Artifacts
Thorough Scrum training should be provided for all team members to ensure that they clearly understand the Scrum framework. This includes the Scrum values, principles, and roles, as well as how to use Scrum artifacts, such as the Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, and Increment.
Implement Regular Scrum Meetings (Events)
There are four critical Scrum Meetings: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrums, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospectives.
- Sprint Planning: This meeting sets the scope for work in the upcoming sprint. This is where the Development team commits to what they can do.
- Daily Scrum: Daily meetings that provide transparency on what was done, what is planned, and any impediments.
- Sprint Review: A session at the end of the Sprint where what was done and what wasn’t is shown and discussed with stakeholders.
- Sprint Retrospective: A meeting after the review to inspect the Sprint and create a plan for improvements to be enacted during the next Sprint.
Regular participation in these meetings promotes transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
Foster a Collaborative Culture
Crucial to the success of any team is the presence of a collaborative culture. It encourages sharing of insights, supports self-organization and enhances the team’s overall ability to respond to project challenges.
Launching a new Scrum team is not a mundane task. It requires careful thought and precise execution. By understanding the project at hand, establishing a well-balanced team, providing adequate Scrum training, implementing Scrum meetings regularly and fostering a collaborative culture, you will set your Scrum team on the path to success.
The content provided is formed by relying on the resources by Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org, which are responsible for CSP-SM certification, thus providing an accurate and reliable process for launching a new Scrum team.
Practice Test
True or False: The initial launch of a Scrum team is the time when all the roles, events, artifacts, and rules are put into place.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The launch of a Scrum Team is the initial step where team composition, scrum roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team), Scrum events, and the Scrum artifacts are established and clarified.
When launching a new Scrum team, is the presence and collaboration of the product owner necessary?
- A. Yes, absolutely necessary
- B. No, it’s optional
- C. It depends on the team
Answer: A. Yes, absolutely necessary
Explanation: The product owner is a key role in a Scrum Team. They are responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the Development Team.
True or False: The Scrum Master is only needed during the initial launch of the team, after which they are no longer necessary.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The Scrum Master is an ongoing role necessary for every Scrum Team. They help facilitate Scrum rules, guidelines, and principles and assist the Scrum Team in overcoming obstacles.
How often should you conduct Retrospective meetings when launching a new Scrum team?
- A. After every daily scrum
- B. Once a month
- C. At the end of each sprint
Answer: C. At the end of each sprint
Explanation: Sprint Retrospectives are a part of the Scrum methodology and are conducted at the end of every sprint to discuss the successes and areas of improvement for next sprint.
Who is responsible for creating and managing the product backlog when launching a new Scrum team?
- A. Scrum Master
- B. Product Owner
- C. Development Team
Answer: B. Product Owner
Explanation: The Product Owner is responsible for creating, managing, and prioritizing the Product Backlog, in order to maximize the value of the product and the Development Team’s work.
Which of the following best represents Scrum values?
- A. Focus, Contract negotiation, Processes, Tools, Change
- B. Individuals, Response to change, Negotiation, Products, Courage
- C. Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, Courage
Answer: C. Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, Courage
Explanation: These are the five values that everyone in the Scrum Team embraces to create a successful project.
True or False: When launching a new Scrum team, team members should be allocated 100% to the one Scrum team and project.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In Scrum, it’s best practice to have team members dedicated to one team and one project only in order to maintain focus and reduce productivity losses due to context switching.
Who is responsible for removing the impediments that the team is experiencing during the launch of a new Scrum team?
- A. Product Owner
- B. Development Team
- C. Scrum Master
Answer: C. Scrum Master
Explanation: The Scrum Master is responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum, including helping the team remove impediments to the team’s progress.
True or False: When launching a new Scrum team, determining team size is arbitrary and can be varied as the product development progresses.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Scrum Team size can vary somewhat, it is typically recommended to keep the team size small (usually between 3–9 members) for efficient communication and collaboration, and changes to team size after the initial setup can lead to disruptions in work flow.
When planning to launch a new Scrum team, which of the following elements should be defined?
- A. Product Owner and Scrum Master roles
- B. Vision and goals of the project
- C. Scope and timeline of the project
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: When launching a new Scrum team, defining roles (including the Product Owner and Scrum Master), setting a clear vision and goals for the project, and establishing the scope and timeline, are all crucial elements to the successful adoption of the Scrum framework.
Interview Questions
What is the first step when planning the launch of a new Scrum Team?
The first step is to define a clear and compelling goal for the team, which helps them to stay focused and committed.
How can you determine the size of a new Scrum Team?
The optimal size of a Scrum Team is typically between 5 and 9 people. This size allows for a good level of interaction while still maintaining effective communication and coordination.
What is the role of Product Owner in a new Scrum Team?
The Product Owner is responsible for optimizing the value of the project or product. They set the priorities for the team by maintaining and managing the product backlog.
Explain the responsibilities of a Scrum Master in the context of a new Scrum Team?
A Scrum Master ensures that the team adheres to Scrum principles and practices. They facilitate meetings, assists the Product Owner, removes impediments and protect the team from any distractions.
Why is it important to conduct team building activities when forming a new Scrum Team?
Team building activities help to foster trust amongst team members, improve communication and cooperation, and reduce potential conflicts. These lead to increased productivity, morale, and quality of work.
Which meetings should be planned in Scrum?
The standard list of mandatory Scrum meetings include Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
What is the purpose of Sprint Planning in a new Scrum team?
Sprint Planning is used to create a plan for the upcoming Sprint. The team work together to choose the best items in the product backlog and create a Sprint backlog.
How to deal with conflicts in a new Scrum team?
Conflicts should be addressed promptly and openly, guided by the Scrum Master. The resolution should be focused on what is best for the team and the product.
How should the Scrum Team handle a scenario where prerequisites are not met for a Sprint?
In this scenario, the Scrum Team should work with the Product Owner to prioritize what needs to be done to allow for the Sprint to go ahead, or to make arrangements for a new Sprint.
What assessments should be done before launching a new Scrum Team?
This could include assessing the skill sets of team members, availability of resources, clarity of the project goals, and understanding of Scrum framework.
What values should a new Scrum Team uphold?
A Scrum Team should uphold five values: focus, openness, courage, commitment, and respect.
Is it necessary for a Scrum team to sit together?
While it is not necessary, it is beneficial for a Scrum team to sit together as it enhances communication and collaboration.
Why is it important for a Scrum Team to create and adhere to their own ‘Definition of Done’?
The ‘Definition of Done’ is important as it provides a shared understanding of what it means for a work to be complete, which further ensures transparency and quality.
What role does the Scrum Master play in the Sprint Retrospective?
The Scrum Master facilitates the Sprint Retrospective, making sure all voices are heard and that the team decides on a plan for implementing improvements.
How often should the Product Backlog be refined in a Scrum team?
The Product Backlog should be refined regularly, generally not less than once per Sprint, to keep it up-to-date and well-structured.
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