Scrum Project Management: Concept and Key Roles

Scrum project management is a component of the Agile approach, which has become the dominant technology in a vast number of businesses worldwide. It is most often employed in software development, although it is also utilized in non-technical initiatives by some companies. Scrum is, in essence, a structure that reflects one of several Agile methodologies. […]

Scrum Project Management Concept and Key Roles
09-23-2022
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Victor Elendu

Scrum project management is a component of the Agile approach, which has become the dominant technology in a vast number of businesses worldwide. It is most often employed in software development, although it is also utilized in non-technical initiatives by some companies.

Scrum is, in essence, a structure that reflects one of several Agile methodologies. You should note that Agile is basically the same as Scrum, but Scrum is not necessarily Agile. Thus, Scrum provides a framework for performance while giving the team a lot of leeway in regard to practices and styles. Scrum offers chances to learn by doing or by interacting. As a result, companies that use the Scrum concept must devote all of their knowledge to execution.

This article will explore Scrum’s adaptability, speed, flexibility, and effectiveness as an agile methodology that aims to provide value to the client throughout the entire development process.

Concept of Scrum Methodology

The Scrum project management methodology is a method of planning and coordinating the moving aspects of a project. Scrum was originally created for use in computer programming, but it is currently adopted by businesses and project managers across many industries. The model works effectively for small organizations addressing projects with shifting output, uncertain solutions, and regular engagement with customers or clients.

Scrum supports gradual and iterative development stages in order to provide functioning products more efficiently and often. By dividing features and objectives into products that the team operates on in two-week iterations, Scrum not only encourages teams to innovate as they iterate but also drives feature identification and assessment. In this manner, the most crucial tasks are completed first.

What is Scrum Project Management?

Scrum is a well-known framework that performs well for complicated and creative product developmental activities. It is extremely adaptable and enables project teams to react rapidly to changes and obstacles, ensuring the project takes advantage of any unforeseen opportunities and immediately alleviates threats.

Scrum emphasizes the value of autonomous labor and individual accountability. The team should ideally consist of self-organized workers who do not require micromanagement and have sufficient self-accountability to do the duties on schedule and to a high standard.

Scrum has three key roles in project management. There is the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team. The business user and the project stakeholder are the extra roles.

Communication with stakeholders, business users, and other parties is the responsibility of the product owner. The Scrum Master is a team servant whose job is to support and encourage Scrum and Agile concepts. The development team consists of the remainder of the project team.

Scrum Project Management: 3 Primary Roles Explained

a) Product Owner

As the customer’s representative, the product owner should prioritize the backlog while working through sprints and considering the needs of all stakeholders.

The product owner’s responsibility is to lead the team and promote open communication among all positions. A productive product owner keeps things structured and is accessible to give clarification and answers at any time during the project’s lifespan.

b) Scrum Master

To keep the sprint moving forward, the scrum master removes obstacles and supports handoffs as necessary.

The fact that a Scrum master does not provide the team with detailed instructions sets them apart from typical project managers. The product owner and scrum master meet at the start of a project to prioritize features and plan the sprint.

c) Development Team

The development team members who are responsible for carrying out the product outputs make up the remaining participants in a Scrum. It basically consists of programmers, designers, authors, and Quality Assurance experts, as well as anybody else that contributed to the creation of the product.

The development team in Scrum is self-managed, and everyone collaborates to finish each sprint. more so, the team must agree on the most effective way to complete the targets.

Scrum Project Management Tools And Software

It might be difficult to choose the best Scrum tool because there are so many available on the market. However, scrum tools should have automation characteristics. Automation is necessary since you want the software to perform monotonous activities so you can save money and concentrate on other things. Collaboration is essential, particularly if your team wants to stay in touch while working remotely.

1. Jira

Remember that one feature your ideal Scrum solution should have had was automation, and Jira project management software shines in this area. Jira excels in automating tasks for builds, processes, projects, etc. without the need for coding knowledge, and it is particularly good for software development.

If you decide to use this Scrum PM software, you may make use of workflows, native roadmaps, and customizable Kanban boards for sprint planning. Furthermore, Jira also offers a number of pre-built reports that may be used to update shareholders on the status of your project.

Read more about Jira here.

2. Asana

Asana is Scrum project management software that might be beneficial if you work for a small firm that places a strong emphasis on the organization as you grow. When utilizing Agile frameworks like Scrum, many small organizations utilize Asana to keep organized by setting up work in sprints.

Asana allows you to construct Agile sprint plans with release dates, timelines, and a work backlog. The progress of your development team and the requirements may be readily visible owing to these sprint plans. Asana also provides team communication tools for exchanging consumer feedback, which your group may utilize to resolve problems, develop new features, and more. The following Asana features are also noteworthy: dependencies, custom fields, timelines, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and product blueprint layouts.

Read more about the Asana tool review here.

3. Wrike

You should not worry if your company is expanding and your development team wants customization. The finest Scrum project management software for your needs is unquestionably Wrike.

The medium-sized firms that are growing are the ones that use Wrike the most. Teams can produce swiftly and on schedule thanks to its numerous agile tools (or even early). Use its configurable calendars, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and project analytics to guide your team through each step of the process. The collaboration tools provided by Wrike, such as version control, document proofing, approval, dynamic request forms, etc., can also help your team communicate clearly and prevent misunderstandings throughout the process.

Read more about Write here.

4. Microsoft Azure Boards

The adaptability and personalization of Microsoft Azure Boards should satisfy the rigorous requirements of enterprise clients. The Scrum project management application offers over 1,000 add-ons and includes planning and communication features to maximize team productivity.

The displacement sprint planning configuration in Azure Boards, Kanban boards, custom reporting, team dashboards, product backlogs, and other features makes sprint planning simple.

Read more about Microsoft Azure Boards here.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Scrum Project Management

a) Advantages of Scrum

Scrum may assist teams in completing project deliverables in a timely and effective manner.

  • Scrum may assist teams in completing project deliverables in a timely and effective manner.
  • Scrum ensures that time and money are spent wisely.
  • Large projects are broken down into smaller sprints.
  • During the sprint review, developments are coded and tested.
  • It works effectively for quick-paced development tasks.
  • Scrum meetings provide the team with clear visibility. 
    Scrum, since it is agile, incorporates feedback from consumers and stakeholders.
  • Short sprints make it much easier to make adjustments based on feedback.
  • During daily scrum meetings, each team member’s unique contribution is evident.

b) Disadvantages of Scrum

There’s nothing is flawless, even the Scrum approach. Scrum is sometimes paired with other project management strategies to help alleviate some of these drawbacks:

  • Due to the lack of a fixed end date, Scrum frequently leads to scope creep.
  • Individuals who are not dedicated or cooperative increase the likelihood of project failure.
  • Adopting the Scrum framework in big groups is difficult. 
  • Only experienced team members can ensure the framework’s success.
  • Team members might become irritated by daily meetings.
  • If a team member departs in the middle of a project, it can have a significant negative impact.
  • Quality is difficult to implement until the team goes through a rigorous testing procedure.

Final Thoughts

Being a Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) is a key recruiting requirement for most Agile Scrum positions. Online Agile Scrum Master training from a reputable training source such as IBTLearning.co will teach you all you need to know about Agile Scrum.

Check out the IBTLearning course “Become a Certified Scrum Master®” developed by our industry professionals to help you learn what scrum methodology is and prepare you for job opportunities.