What is Scrum Team?

Scrum is a term that anyone who enjoys rugby will understand quite well. 

The name scrum team comes from the rugby scrummage composition. 

Scrum is a simple-to-understand framework that can be challenging to master. 

Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber created the term for the manufacturing industry in the 1990s. 

And today, it is declared as one of the prominent frameworks and a widely utilized agile technique in the software development community.

Project managers are continuously looking for new technology and approaches that will help them simplify their processes. 

In recent years scrum has also become one of the most popular new frameworks used by project management teams worldwide. 

Several firms’ project management methodologies have started implementing scrum teams. 

This post will go over what a scrum team is, the advantages of using it, and the many responsibilities that make up a scrum team.

What Is a Scrum Team?

A scrum team is a group of collaborators who work together to complete projects and deliver products. 

Teams usually consist of five to nine people. It includes one scrum master, one product owner, and a group of programmers who make up the essential scrum team. 

There are no ranks or hierarchies in a scrum team. It is instead a unified group of goal-oriented people.

Scrum teams use the scrum framework to oversee their project management process. 

You can build the scrum on the concepts of ongoing improvement, adaptability, and ethical teamwork. 

The scrum is a methodology that adheres to the Agile Manifesto of 2001 and its 12 Principles. 

And this manifesto is said to help the software development teams operate more efficiently.

The Agile Manifesto bases its methods on the following beliefs:

• Procedures and strategies take a back seat, and individuals and interactions lead the way. 

• Working with the goods comes first, followed by detailed documentation.

• Firstly collaborate with customers and then follow up with the contract negotiations.

• Following a plan occurs after evaluating procedures and implementing improvements.

Scrum and Agile methodologies have swept the workplace over the last two decades, proving incredibly efficient in streamlining collaborative projects. 

Ultimately, the Scrum framework aids teams in developing procedures that are highly organized, thoughtful, and human-centered.

Scrum Team Structure

One product owner, one scrum master, and five developers comprise a regular scrum team. 

As mentioned earlier, five to nine individuals, with seven being the optimum number of the team. 

Unlike conventional development organizations, scrum teams do not have a structured hierarchy. 

Instead, they are self-managing and multi-functional.

All team members are vitally valuable. Together, they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to produce an excellent working product.

Following are the members of the scrum core team: 

Even though everyone has an adequate representation, the scrum team structure has three unique functions.

The Product Owner

The product owner is the product’s cheerleader and the foundation for its growth. 

The primary role of the product owner (PO) is to understand the company and the client’s needs thoroughly. 

This way, the PO can identify and prioritize the tasks using Kanban boards. 

We recommend using the best product management software that helps prioritize features and tasks and create roadmaps, build team alignment, and much more.

Following Are Some of the Responsibilities of a Product Owner: 

• Creating and maintaining a product backlog
• Keeping in touch with the company and the team to ensure that everyone is on the same page
• Assisting the team in determining which features to release next.
• Choose a delivery date for the product.

The product owner guides the development team throughout the procedure in simple terms.

In product development, all the team members have to participate and discuss how to approach the task. 

But the final decision maker is the product owner, and the PO decides the timeline and which tasks to prioritize. 

The Scrum Master

The Scrum Master Keeps the Entire Team on Track by Taking Charge of the Following Tasks:

• Helping the product development team execute the scrum framework successfully
• Guiding the overzealous product owners
• Reducing any distractions
• Instructing the team on best practices
• Facilitating the daily scrum meeting, which helps keep the team on the same page

The Scrum Development Team

While on the one hand, the product owner sets the objectives, and the scrum master keeps track of the workflow.

On the other hand, the development team is in charge of figuring out how to get the job done. 

The development team members are primarily self-contained, which is also one characteristic that distinguishes scrum from other approaches. 

Scrum teams are very interactive and close-knit due to this trait.

And this typically leads to:

• The increase in morale
• Overall happiness
• Purpose

How To Create Excellent Scrum Team Names?

Use the following ideas to inspire your team to come up with unique scrum team names:

Innovation

Offer your team a rough indication of the kinds of names they can innovate. 

Encourage each team member to develop up to 5-7 distinct names.

The teams can base the names on the different aspects you have chosen. 

For scrum team names, the following categories are the most popular. You can select a name that fits into any of these five types: 

• Humorous
• Cool
• Adorable
• Catchy
• Distinctive

If you and your teams are still not sure which type of category to shortlist, then take the steps described below: 

• Firstly, have your teammates contribute 5-7 names for every type.

• Now you can vote on the most acceptable agile name in each specialty category by a majority vote.

• Finally, you can direct your peers to use this list of names to complete the brainstorming.

Make a List of Your Favorite Names

As previously said, once you’ve chosen the best names, ask your team for a majority vote. 

Once you do that, request everyone to shortlist the most popular scrum team names. 

Everybody gets to give input, which maintains a high team spirit. 

Have a look at the following factors as you choose a name for your team:

If your suggested name fits into at least three of the following five points, you and your team have chosen an excellent agile team name. 

Noteworthy

Ensure that the title you choose for your team is simple to say and significantly simpler to recall. 

This is an essential consideration you must keep in mind while brainstorming the names. 

Not Tricky To Pronounce

The name you choose should be simple and adhere to a strict code of ethics. 

Always select an uncomplicated and more accessible name. It is simpler to speak when having a discussion. 

Names that are simple to speak and read go a long way.

One of a Kind

When distributing a task, it’s common to feel a sense of belonging to your team’s project. 

As a result, make sure the scrum name you choose is unique.

Relevant

The teams often overlook relevancy in names. 

However, research shows that meaningful names are typically simpler to remember.

Keep Things as Simple as Possible

Keeping the names as uncomplicated and straightforward as possible is something we can’t emphasize enough. 

The simpler the name, the more likely it is to stick with your team for an extended period. 

Tips on How To Set Up a Scrum Team

Examine Your Team’s Scrum Knowledge

When you’ve discovered or hired more than 60–70% of your scrum team, chat with them to learn about their job experience and scrum abilities. 

Previous scrum work experience adds to the team’s worth. 

If any of your team members don’t understand scrum, arrange a classroom training program.

This program with expert scrum instructors will help them learn and refresh their understanding of scrum. 

Make Contact With the Product Owner

Communicate with your product owner to learn about the project’s goal.

Also, check and see if they have a backlog with a few epics, milestones, or user stories documented. 

You can set up a meeting with the product owner and members of the scrum team to discuss the product’s goal/vision. 

It aids in the reduction of disputes and the improvement of collaboration.

It’s Time To Set Some Ground Rules for Your Team

To achieve efficiency, a diverse team like scrum needs time. 

If team members work together initially, it may take them longer to get used to each other. 

Instead, focus on the following:

• Arrange the team rules meeting
• Discuss work times, modes of interaction, sabbatical releases, and other topics
• Clarify responsibilities and coordinate on a common purpose. 

The above discussion will:

• Examine scrum values
• Encourage team members to adopt a collaborative environment
• Have a culture of openness, inspection, and adaptation

Assistance With Infrastructure Configuration

Assist team members in obtaining the necessary hardware and software. Having these resources in place will help build up the development space. 

Ensure that all the team members have comfortable seats and quick access to the support team. 

Sprints aim to produce releasable increments. But that is impossible if the enabling infrastructure isn’t accessible.

Many teams, especially in large organizations, struggle with the barriers. 

Hence it is advisable to put things together before time. 

Understanding Definition of Done (DoD)

When you complete an increment, the definition of done provides a shared understanding among team members. 

Each scrum team’s DoD will differ. 

Hence hold an active discussion with team members well before the sprint begins, which will assist them in determining the DoD. 

A scrum team works on a four weeks sprint. 

The DoD will offer all the members a specific agreement and clarification. 

The agreement will help identify user stories and truly fulfilling user stories.

Optimize Your Product Backlog in a Few Sessions

One of the excellent habits to develop is maintaining a product backlog set for sprint planning. 

Conducting product backlog refinement meetings is not required before sprint planning.

But you can consider completing them as part of the sprint planning process. 

It is, nonetheless, strongly advised to optimize your product backlog.

It results in a more excellent knowledge of the effort required to build the product. 

Before the first sprint, you must:

• Run through a few product backlog refinements to analyze
• Discuss design approaches
• Separate stories
• And then get going 

Product owners can use this time to prioritize and organize the product backlog, and programmers can evaluate stories.

Organize a Community of Practices (CoP)

Teams can use the community of practices to propagate organizational knowledge. 

Other stakeholders, coming from both inside and outside the business, must rally behind the scrum team.

CoP offers a platform for employees to showcase their expertise and gain knowledge from within and outside the firm. 

How To Improve Scrum Team Productivity?

Following are the characteristics of a productive scrum team: 

Self-organization

Scrum teams are self-contained and self-organizing. 

All team members have precisely specified responsibilities. 

And their contributions to the development of the product are critical to the project’s success. 

It would help if you considered thoughts and insights from all team members. 

Giving equal opportunity to team members to speak up will ensure that everyone is in sync with the team’s spirit.

Connected

All scrum team members share a unified platform (co-located) or workspace. 

A unified space ensures that teamwork and cooperation function freely.

Teams can exchange information, files, and other things without hitches.

Centered

The scrum teams concentrate all of their energy on a single project. 

Their undivided focus allows them to attain higher results in a shorter amount of time.

Multi-functional

Because a scrum team is self-organizing, it includes all of the competencies necessary for effective product development. 

Team members also bring their respective expertise to the table and contribute to the team.

Small Clusters

A scrum team consists of a small group of people. 

The limited number of individuals ensures that coordination doesn’t get hindered. And that everyone is committed to their roles and obligations.

Teams Must Follow the Rules and Regulations

All the scrum teams have to abide by the rules and guidelines that the organization puts forth. 

When the scrum teams follow the rules and regulations of the Scrum project management framework, they can achieve the set goals on time. 

Focus on New Ideas

Successful scrum teams recognize the value of technical innovation.

They understand the importance of staying current with the continuously changing environment of technology. 

They make sure that they have time for innovation during regular working hours and that it is enjoyable and exciting!

Teams Should Share Experiences

Successful Scrum Teams share their knowledge with their peers. 

Sharing wisdom could be within the organization.

But workshops and seminars are excellent opportunities to share stories and learn new things. 

Jotting down and discussing your experiences learned is also deeply appreciated. 

Enjoys Each Other’s Company

A good amount of amusement is present every day in successful scrum teams. 

Encouraging a culture of fun, dynamism, engagement, and teamwork allows the team to thrive.

Conclusion

Scrum teams are a crucial part of the scrum framework. And every team member plays an essential role in the process and brings something unique to the organization. 

The scrum team’s smooth operation helps create a high-value product that meets all customers’ expectations.

As a result, being part of a scrum team entails smooth operations, the execution of high-value products, enhanced productivity, and much more. 

Pure and simple, it’s a win!!