Daily scrum

Definition

A daily scrum is a short, time-boxed meeting held each day by a scrum team to synchronize activities and create a plan for the next 24 hours. This meeting typically lasts 15 minutes and focuses on three key questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any obstacles in my way? This practice helps teams remain aligned, facilitates transparency, and promotes accountability within an agile framework.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Daily scrums are intended to keep the team focused and aligned on their goals while fostering communication among team members.
2. These meetings are usually held at the same time and place each day to establish a routine and ensure consistency.
3. The daily scrum is not a problem-solving meeting; instead, it is meant to share updates and identify any roadblocks that may hinder progress.
4. Team members should stand during the daily scrum to promote brevity and maintain energy throughout the meeting.
5. The daily scrum helps build team cohesion by encouraging collaboration and collective ownership of tasks.

Review Questions

• How does the daily scrum contribute to team alignment and accountability within an agile project?
  • The daily scrum contributes to team alignment by providing a regular opportunity for members to share their progress, plans, and any obstacles they are facing. By discussing what they accomplished yesterday and what they aim to achieve today, team members can coordinate their efforts and ensure everyone is on the same page. This transparency fosters accountability, as individuals are encouraged to take ownership of their commitments and support one another in overcoming challenges.
• In what ways can the format of a daily scrum meeting impact its effectiveness?
  • The format of a daily scrum meeting plays a crucial role in its effectiveness. Keeping the meeting short, ideally around 15 minutes, ensures that it remains focused and prevents it from becoming a lengthy discussion. Holding the meeting at the same time and place every day builds routine, while encouraging participants to stand can promote energy and engagement. By sticking to a structured format where only updates are shared, the team can quickly identify issues without veering off into problem-solving discussions.
• Evaluate the role of daily scrums in fostering collaboration among team members and how this may influence project outcomes.
  • Daily scrums foster collaboration among team members by creating a platform for open communication, where individuals can discuss their tasks, seek help, and offer support. This ongoing interaction not only strengthens relationships within the team but also enhances collective problem-solving capabilities. By addressing obstacles as they arise and maintaining alignment on goals, daily scrums can significantly improve project outcomes, leading to higher productivity, faster delivery of features, and increased overall satisfaction among stakeholders.

Related terms

scrum:

An agile framework for managing projects that emphasizes iterative progress through collaborative teamwork and continuous improvement.

sprint: A time-boxed period, usually lasting two to four weeks, during which a scrum team works to complete a set of prioritized tasks or features.

product backlog: A prioritized list of features, enhancements, and bug fixes that need to be addressed in the product being developed, serving as the team's roadmap.