It’s important to remember that Agile arose as a response to the traditional ways of working on products and projects. Refreshing ourselves on the traditional methods that gave rise to Agile is important. Only from this perspective can we acknowledge how bold these changes were and how dramatically they’ve changed our ways of working since 2001.

Methodology versus framework

The traditional method is generally referred to as the Waterfall methodology. This method reminds us of a waterfall because each step follows the completion of the previous step. There is no overlap between the steps. This order is the only order of execution. As shown in the following diagram, the flow of work is unidirectional:

Figure 1.1 – Waterfall project methodology

Since this flow is one-way, there is no simple way to correct errors from a previous phase if you discover them after a phase has ended. This rigidity...

The Agile mindset is a set of attitudes and values that supports the Agile family of frameworks. The mindset embodies all aspects of the Agile Manifesto and its principles. The focus is on flexibility, continuous improvement, and the importance of people. Here are the key components that define the Agile mindset. No matter which Agile framework you and your team choose, adopting this mindset is necessary:

• Embrace change: At the heart of the Agile mindset is the readiness to embrace change, even late in the development process. Agile practitioners see change as an opportunity to improve the product and increase customer satisfaction, rather than a disruption to avoid.
• Value individuals and interactions: Agile prioritizes people and the need for teams to work at a sustainable pace. Successful projects are the result of collaboration among well-organized teams who communicate effectively and do not require heroic efforts for value to be delivered. Team members...

Scrum is an Agile framework that’s designed to facilitate collaboration around complex solutions. As a member of the Agile family, it’s founded on the Agile Manifesto and principles. From there, it branches into its own set of values and its specific practices. Scrum emphasizes adaptability and teamwork. It also calls for specific actions focused solely on the team and its need to continuously improve its processes to maximize quality and value.

Let’s start by looking at Scrum Values.

The following are the five Scrum Values:

• Courage: Scrum Team members have the courage to do the right thing, take on tough challenges, and be honest about impediments. This value empowers growth and innovation.
• Focus: Everyone focuses on the work of the Sprint and the goals of the Scrum Team. By limiting distractions and multitasking, the team delivers higher value outcomes.
• Commitment: Scrum Team members personally commit to achieving the...

In this chapter, we explored the foundations of Scrum. We learned that Scrum grew from the ineffectiveness of the Waterfall methodology and was developed in a deliberate and targeted manner.

Next, our focus shifted from defined processes to empirical ones that are better suited to knowledge work, such as software development. Furthermore, we examined how Lean influenced the principles of Scrum.

When we explored the limited number of events, roles, and artifacts, we discovered the simplicity on which Scrum is based. Simplicity doesn’t imply weakness, though – the framework is very powerful when applied well. Scrum’s value lies in its flexibility, simplicity, and focus on delivering value quickly and continuously. It fosters collaboration and communication, both within the team and with stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is aligned with the project goals and progress. By breaking down complex projects into manageable tasks, Scrum enables teams to...