I came at this book from several perspectives based on my background in Solutions Sales, Project Management (traditional -- PMP certified), Contract/Vendor Management, and SQA Management.
I'll briefly explain how SCRUM has helped me consider new possibilities on each of the above mentioned areas. In addition, I'll start off with a general perception of this book.
If asked to sum up my thoughts in one word on Agile Project Management with SCRUM, it would be "REVOLUTIONARY"!
Even though the text is focused on software development as the domain where SCRUM is applied, it's easy to see how SCRUM can be applicable to any project.
SCRUM is based on a well defined set of rules and a set of roles which include a ScrumMaster, a Product Owner, and a team(s). I found it revolutionary as it works exceptionally well in complex, chaotic project situations, and it empowers a team in new ways, and forges new optimized partnering between those delivering (the team) and those consuming (the customers). SCRUM also focuses on ROI and regular prioritized delivery of business value.
The Solution Sales view:
SCRUM offers a new approach to bid on complex, fixed-price, fixed-date RFPs. To do this, a bidding firm would have to collaborate with the client up front, to explain the differences between between a traditional waterfall-based approach and the SCRUM approach. An enlightened client will see the opportunity for partnering in new ways with a supplier, and how SCRUM minimizes risk and increases flexibility while keeping the spotlight on business value as defined by customer's prioritized needs. Communication is based on business value, not technical jargon, which also leads to increased customer satisfaction.
The Project Management view (traditional):
When I studied to become Project Management Professional (PMP) certified, I learned many formalized methods for managing, controlling, reporting, and delivering on a project. SCRUM is a complete paradigm shift, but it rapidly starts to feel good. The author illustrates through numerous case studies how a project manager, now a ScrumMaster, contributes and can still meet management's requirements for information reporting and results. The text also highlights CMM KPA's and how SCRUM still ensures compliance.
The Contract/Vendor Management view:
Having taken a formal program in contract management and having been both on the vendor and vendor management sides of the fence, I began thinking early into the book how SCRUM would impact these areas. My thinking here ties into my earlier thoughts on the Solution Sales view -- SCRUM provides a new model of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and partnering that can reduce costs and improve results. A side effect that leaped out at me is that I believe that SCRUM could have a dramatic effect on minimizing the need to offshore delivery. By having a resident local team using SCRUM, results look so positive based on the case studies I read, that SCRUM could increase onshoring due to its rapid results (achieved within a 30 day Sprint), team/customer cohesion, and more. Offshore delivery would still be very possible using SCRUM and improve results, however, I can imagine the value of the shared space partnership between a local team and local customers at its positive macroeconomic impact as well.
The SQA view:
I've been a QA engineer and manager. QA adds necessary value, however, it is often seen as a policeman role, or an afterthought where quality is "tested" in. The identification of last minute defects causes angst, anger, increased costs, and customer dissatisfaction. The latter often being due to great pressure to ship anyway or solutions that can't be fully tested in time which lead to customer identified defects (and costs), or bug-fix delays impact client schedules/needs.
SCRUM makes testing a component of "doneness" -- embedded in a concept which SCRUM calls "sashimi" after the Japanese delicacy. In a nutshell, testing becomes everyone's job and the team partners to produce a complete result as committed to at the beginning of the Sprint. No more policeman. Instead, a committed team that works together in an optimized manner.
In summary, SCRUM provides much to think about for Sales, Project Management, Software Development, Contract Management, and QA professionals. It is an exciting process that has undeniable value.
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From the Publisher
From the Mike Cohn Signature Series
The Addison-Wesley Signature Series: Mike Cohn
Mike Cohn is the founder of Mountain Goat Software, a process and project management consultancy and training firm. He is the author of User Stories Applied for Agile Software Development and Agile Estimating and Planning, as well as books on Java and C++ programming. With more than 20 years of experience, Mike has previously been a technology executive in companies of various sizes, from startup to Fortune 40. A frequent magazine contributor and conference speaker, Mike is a founding member of the AgileAlliance, and serves on its board of directors.
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| Essential Scrum | The Scrum Field Guide | The Great ScrumMaster | Agile Project Management with Scrum | Succeeding with Agile | Driving Value with Sprint Goals | |
| A practical guide to the most popular agile process | Advice for your first year and beyond | Fast, focused, practical guide | Real-world lessons | Proven, practical guidance to making Scrum work in any organization | Critical Scrum and product management fundamentals through the lens of the Sprint Goal | |
| Kenneth Rubin | Mitch Lacey | Zuzana Sochova | Ken Schwaber | Mike Cohn | Maarten Dalmijn | |
| "This book serves as an indispensable guide, helping teams choose among the billions of possible ways of implementing Scrum and finding one that leads to success." — Mike Cohn, author of "Succeeding with Agile", Certified Scrum Trainer | "…I can definitely recommend Mitch’s book! I am confident that you will find my book and this book to be good compliments to one another, even (and especially) where the two differ on particular issues or approaches." -- Kenneth Rubin | "[Sochova] fills an important gap in providing practical advice and tools for ScrumMasters who wish to improve their craft. The book is full of powerful tips sure to help any ScrumMaster." — Mike Cohn | "This book is an excellent guide for anyone looking to improve how he or she delivers software, and I recommend it highly." — Mike Cohn, author of "Succeeding with Agile", Certified Scrum Trainer | "By reading this book, you will find that Mike brings up issues that you never thought of, offers advice on how you might handle situations, and helps you define new roles on your team." -- Tim Lister, Principal, The Atlantic Systems Guild, Inc | "'Sprint Goals are the beating heart of Scrum,'. Without them, Scrum falls apart. Maarten makes a powerful argument for why Scrum teams need Sprint Goals and offers invaluable anecdotes, practical tips and guidelines to get started right away." |
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Top reviews from other countries
Andrea, Jole, Giugiu e Lilli
Scorrevole e molto incisivo
Reviewed in Italy on November 28, 2021Heather
Great Resource & Reference information for Scrum leaders.
Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2018
N. Murali Mohan
A must read for all Scrum Masters
Reviewed in India on March 18, 2018