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Scrum · foundation

The Scrum Framework

Roles, events, and artefacts in the Scrum framework

Scrum is the most widely used agile framework, providing a lightweight structure for delivering complex products in an iterative, incremental manner. Scrum defines three roles, five events, and three artefacts, plus three pillars (transparency, inspection, adaptation) and five values (commitment, courage, focus, openness, respect).

Scrum is intentionally incomplete — it provides a framework within which teams implement their own processes and techniques. This makes it flexible but also means that Scrum Teams must understand the purpose behind each element to use it effectively.

Key Points

  • Three roles: Product Owner (what to build), Scrum Master (how to work), Development Team (how to build)
  • Five events: Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective
  • Three artefacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment
  • Sprint: time-boxed iteration of 1-4 weeks — the container for all other events
  • Daily Scrum: 15-minute daily sync for the Development Team (not a status meeting)
  • Sprint Review: inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog
  • Sprint Retrospective: inspect and adapt the team's way of working
  • Three pillars: Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation
  • Definition of Done: the quality standard for the Increment

Key Terms & Definitions

Product Backlog
An ordered list of everything that might be needed in the product. The single source of requirements for any changes to the product.
Sprint Backlog
The set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint, plus a plan for delivering the Increment.
Increment
The sum of all Product Backlog items completed during a Sprint and the value of the increments of all previous Sprints.
Sprint
A time-box of one month or less during which a 'Done', useable, and potentially releasable product Increment is created.
Scrum Master
The servant-leader for the Scrum Team, responsible for promoting and supporting Scrum and helping the team improve their practices.
Product Owner
The person responsible for maximising the value of the product and managing the Product Backlog.
Velocity
The measure of work completed in a sprint, used to forecast future sprint capacity.