Scrum of Scrums, an introduction

Summary

The Scrum of Scrums is a method for scaling the Scrum framework to manage large-scale initiatives by coordinating multiple Scrum teams through additional alignment meetings, without altering the core Scrum structure.

Abstract

The Scrum of Scrums, a technique over 15 years old, is designed to scale Scrum for extensive projects. It was conceived by Jeff Sutherland, one of Scrum's original creators. This method targets the coordination of dependent areas and integration tasks across multiple Scrum teams. Each team sends a representative, often the Scrum Master, to participate in the Scrum of Scrums meetings. The frequency of these meetings is tailored to the project's needs. For extremely large projects, there can be a 'Scrum of Scrum of Scrums' to align across multiple Scrum of Scrums. This scaling approach adds only two additional events to the existing Scrum framework, maintaining its integrity. The goal is to ensure alignment and address dependencies and integration without disrupting the Scrum teams' autonomy and efficiency.

Opinions

The Scrum of Scrums is recognized as the first practice for scaling Scrum, emphasizing its historical significance and pioneering role in the Agile community.
Jeff Sutherland, a co-creator of Scrum, is credited with the creation of the Scrum of Scrums, indicating a high level of authority and expertise behind the method.
The article suggests that the Scrum of Scrums leaves the Scrum framework undisturbed, which may imply that it respects and preserves the principles and practices of Scrum.
The method's adaptability is highlighted by the fact that the frequency of the Scrum of Scrums meetings is based on specific project needs, suggesting a flexible and responsive approach to scaling Scrum.
The article invites reader interaction, suggesting that the author values community feedback and engagement on the topic of Scrum of Scrums.
The offer to publish in Serious Scrum and the invitation to join a Slack community indicates a desire to foster a collaborative environment for Scrum practitioners to share ideas and experiences.

Introduction

According to Agile Alliance the Scrum of Scrums was first described in this article from Jeff Sutherland: Agile Can Scale: Inventing and Reinventing SCRUM in Five Companies. That probably makes it the first practice to scale Scrum/Agile.

Jeff Sutherland probably doesn’t require further introduction. Together with Ken Schwaber he introduced Scrum to a larger audience in 1995 and also together with Ken Schwaber he is the author of the Scrum Guide.

How does it work?

Work on a product may require more people than what is seen as reasonable to have in a team (Scrum advises Development Teams to be 3 to 9 people big). Larger self-organising teams will rapidly become less effective. This is why you need to form multiple teams. In order to have alignment between the teams one representative per Scrum Team takes part in the Scrum of Scrums. These are often the Scrum Masters, but others can also be the representative of a team. The frequency of the Scrum of Scrums can be determined based upon the specific need.

With very large initiatives there’s even a possibility to have a ‘Scrum of Scrum of Scrums’. Here representatives of several Scrum of Scrums can align.

Scrum of Scrums adds two additional events to Scrum: the Scrum of Scrums and the ‘Scrum of Scrum of Scrums’. Apart from this the Scrum framework with its roles, events and artifacts remains intact.

Scrum of Scrums — an introduction

Scaling Scrum, part 5

The many approaches to scale Scrum — an introduction

Scaling Scrum, part 1

Introduction

How does it work?

Bottom Line

Did you like the article? Then it would be awesome if you’d clap 👏🏻. I am also very keen to learn what you think about this topic.