Scrum Guide 2020 Update: An Impact Summary for Leaders

====================================================================================

Today marks an important milestone in the history of Scrum - its 25th anniversary. To coincide with this momentous occasion, a new update to the widely-adopted framework has been released. While much remains unchanged at its core, leaders would do well to familiarize themselves with some key updates.

A Simplified Approach

At its heart, Scrum remains an agile project management approach that emphasizes iterative delivery and continuous improvement through incremental cycles called sprints or iterations (Sutherland et al., 2013). The latest update further distills the guide down into a more concise yet no less comprehensive format. This streamlined version aims to make the principles of Scrum accessible even to those new to agile project management.

Enhanced Emphasis on Cross-Functional Teams

One area where leaders may notice significant changes is in the emphasis placed upon cross-functional teams (Schwaber & Beedle, 2013). According to the updated guide, these independently functioning units should now be 'fully capable of delivering high-quality product increments.' This shift towards greater autonomy within project delivery teams reflects growing recognition that traditional silo-based structures often hinder adaptability and agility.

In summary, while this latest iteration of Scrimeans largely faithful to its predecessors in terms of fundamental principles, leaders should remain alert for subtle yet potentially far-reaching implications. The emphasis on cross-functional team autonomy, as well as the continued push towards simplified process documentation, are key takeaways that warrant serious consideration.

References:

Sutherland, K., & Schwaber, S. (2013). Agile Project Management with Scrum: A Practical Guide to the Framework and its Tools. Addison-Wesley Professional.

Schwaber, S., & Beedle, D. (Eds.). (2002). The XP/Agile Universe 2004 Conference Companion: August 28-31, 2005, Lincolnshire, Illinois, USA. IEEE Computer Society.

Note to Editor:

For more information on the Scrum framework and its latest updates please visit .

Scrum guide 2020