Scrum is a popular Agile framework that helps teams manage complex projects. Its effectiveness relies on a set of core values that guide team behavior and collaboration.
What is Scrum
Scrum is a framework teams use to deliver value to customers in an iterative and incremental way. It helps teams manage complex projects by providing a structure for planning, executing, and reviewing work. The framework is based on empiricism, the idea that knowledge comes from experience and decisions are based on observation. This is supported by three pillars: transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
A Scrum Team is a small, self-organizing group responsible for delivering a potentially releasable product increment at the end of each Sprint. The team includes a Product Owner, who is responsible for maximizing the product’s value, and a Scrum Master, who helps the team understand and use Scrum. The Developers are the members who do the work of creating the product.
The framework defines several events that provide structure. The Sprint is a time-boxed period of one month or less to create a product increment. The Daily Scrum is a short daily meeting for coordination, and the Sprint Retrospective is for reflecting on and improving the process. Scrum also uses artifacts like the Product Backlog, which is a prioritized list of everything needed in the product.
The Five Scrum Values
The successful use of Scrum depends on people becoming more proficient in living five values: Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness, and Respect. These values give direction to the Scrum Team regarding their work, actions, and behavior. When these values are embodied by the team and the people they work with, the empirical pillars of Scrum come to life, building trust.
Commitment
Commitment in Scrum refers to the dedication of team members to achieving their goals and supporting each other. Each person is personally committed to the success of the team and the project. They are dedicated to delivering a high-quality product and continuously improving their skills and processes.
In practice, commitment is shown when team members help each other complete tasks, even if it means stepping outside their usual roles. The team also collectively takes responsibility for successes and failures without blaming individuals. The team commits to a Sprint Goal and works together to achieve it.
Courage
Courage in Scrum means having the strength to do the right thing and work on tough problems. It is about being willing to challenge the status quo and have difficult conversations when necessary. Team members need courage to be transparent about their progress and any impediments they are facing.
This value is also about having the courage to say “no” to stakeholders when requests would compromise the team’s ability to meet their Sprint Goal. It takes courage to stick to the Scrum framework when there is pressure to cut corners. This fosters a culture of honesty where problems are addressed openly.
Focus
Focus is about concentrating on the work of the Sprint to make the best possible progress toward the Sprint Goal. For a Scrum Team, this means prioritizing their work and avoiding the temptation to multitask. They concentrate on the tasks in the Sprint Backlog, the list of work they have committed to completing.
To help the team focus, the Scrum framework provides several mechanisms. The time-boxed nature of the Sprint creates a sense of urgency and helps the team concentrate on the most important work. The Daily Scrum is a daily opportunity for the team to refocus on their Sprint Goal.
Openness
Openness in Scrum means being transparent about the work and the challenges the team is facing. It is about creating an environment where people feel safe to share their ideas, opinions, and concerns. This includes being open to feedback from stakeholders and willing to adapt to changing requirements.
This value means the team’s work is visible to everyone, with no hidden agendas. The Product Backlog is a transparent artifact showing all planned work. The Sprint Review is an opportunity for the team to be open with stakeholders about the work they have completed and get feedback.
Respect
Respect is about treating each other as capable, independent individuals. It means valuing the diverse skills, experiences, and opinions of each team member. In a respectful environment, people feel safe to be themselves and contribute to the best of their ability.
This value is demonstrated when team members listen to each other’s ideas, even if they do not agree with them. It is also seen when the team celebrates successes together and supports each other through failures. Fostering respect creates a culture of collaboration and trust.
Why the Scrum Values are Important
The Scrum values are a fundamental part of the framework’s success. When embraced by the team, they create an environment of trust, psychological safety, and collaboration. This allows the team to work together effectively to solve complex problems and deliver high-quality products.
The values also support the empirical nature of Scrum. Without courage and openness, the team cannot have the honest conversations necessary for inspection and adaptation. Without respect, the team cannot collaborate effectively to leverage the diverse skills of its members.
When the values are absent, the Scrum framework can become a mechanical process that delivers little value. A team may go through the motions of events and artifacts, but they will not achieve true collaboration or innovation. The values are what transform a group of individuals into a high-performing team.
How Scrum Values and Pillars Interact
The Scrum values and the three pillars of empiricism—transparency, inspection, and adaptation—are deeply intertwined. The values are the foundation that enables the pillars to function effectively. For example, true transparency is not possible without the values of Openness and Courage. Team members need to feel safe to be open about their work and have the courage to share bad news.
Similarly, inspection is only effective when it is done with Respect and a focus on improvement. The team needs to be able to inspect their work and processes without fear of blame. This requires the Courage to identify areas for improvement and the Commitment to take action.
Adaptation is only possible when the team has the Courage to change course when necessary. They need to be Open to new ideas and willing to experiment with different approaches. They also need the Focus to stay on track and make progress toward their goals.
Applying the Scrum Values in Your Team
Applying the Scrum values requires a conscious, daily effort from everyone on the team. A good way to start is by discussing the values and what they mean to your team. The Sprint Retrospective is an ideal opportunity to discuss how well the team is living the values and to identify areas for improvement.
Creating a team agreement that outlines how you will practice the values is another practical step. This could include agreeing to listen respectfully, communicate honestly, and support each other. The Scrum Master can coach the team on the values and help create a culture of trust and collaboration.
Leading by example is also effective. As a team member, you can demonstrate the values in your own behavior. Be the first to admit a mistake, ask for help, and celebrate the successes of your teammates. Consistently practicing the values helps create a positive and productive team environment.