What is Scrum and what are its advantages over other project management methodologies. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of Scrum, the conditions when this flexible methodology is most effective.
What Is Scrum
Scrum is one of the so-called agile project methodologies, consistent with the Agile Manifesto. In Scrum, product development (from trivial slot games available with a Woo Casino login Australia to specialized enterprise solutions) takes place in short, sequential steps, also known as vsprints. Sprints typically last from one week to one month. The result of each sprint is a new working version of the product, improved from the previous one.
One of the principles of Scrum Methodology is intensive, ongoing cooperation between the customer and the implementation company at every stage of the project. It is the customer who defines his needs and the direction of software development, checking its functionality after each completed sprint and, if necessary, changing assumptions. However, if everything is right, he just keeps working on the project with no changes.
Implementing Projects Using Scrum
The process of project implementation using the Scrum methodology can be simplified as follows:
- Pre-implementation analysis – a joint discussion of the form of the future product, definition of implementation goals and the approximate scope of the project.
- Determination of the scope of Sprint I – definition by the customer of the work to be done in Sprint I.
- Sprint I Time/Cost Estimate – Analysis of the scope of Sprint I and its preliminary estimate by the implementation company.
- Sprint I Scope of Work Acceptance/Change of Scope of Work – customer acceptance of the initial estimate or change in the scope of work in Sprint I.
- Development work/product development (sprint) – actual product development.
- Sprint I is ready – Acceptance-transfer of the product to the customer for testing.
- Repeat steps 2-6 for each of the following sprints before you come to the latest step, ending in project release.
- The final stage is the completion of the project and its successful launch.
Pros and Cons of Scrum
Software development in a company using Agile methodology brings the customer many advantages which he could only dream of when implementing the project the traditional way:
- The ability to make changes to the project on an ongoing basis during its implementation.
- Possibility to regulate the project’s scope and close it at any moment.
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the resulting product.
- Formalities and bureaucracy are minimized.
- Payment only for work done.
- Faster and more efficient project implementation.
But what is an advantage can sometimes be a risk. In Scrum, risks can come in many forms. Experts point out the most significant of them:
- Not knowing the exact cost of the project.
- Bearing all the costs associated with the project.
- Risk of slow project development;.
- Risk of exceeding the anticipated budget.
All in all, Scrum is an excellent methodology for implementing IT projects, the benefits of which allow fast, efficient and relatively inexpensive implementation of software in the enterprise.
