Agile Helpline!: Beware of Scrum

Scrum is one of the biggest process invention but it does not guarantee success. Even creators of Scrum accept that more than half of the Scrum implementation does not go well. Why is that? Scrum is critical but what is more critical than Scrum? Moving from waterfall model to Scrum is a welcoming change that makes people think in the right direction. So what is the right direction?

If a person with ongoing back pain visits the doctor then doctor certainly suggests to do exercises or yoga to make body agile enough to get rid of pains. If that person is wise like me then he starts doing exercises and pain disappears. Exercises don't cure pain overnight. It requires a regular routine. Isn't it common to see pain appear again when exercises are stopped?

In this example "routine is Scrum" and "exercises are agility". A healthy person needs routine as well as exercises. Similarly, a good projects or organizations need both Scrum as well Agility.

Let's extend our example little further and review the root cause of the pain. Main reason behind this person's pain is routine of sitting in a chair with bad posture for a long time. Similarly, root cause for failed Scrum project is routine of not practicing agility for a long time.

In a nutshell, Scrum forces people to think in the right direction i.e. agility. As you can understand, routine is important but exercises are critical. Hence, Agility is more critical than Scrum. The following video depicts relationship of Scrum and Agility in great details with an creative analogy.Here are the key learning objectives:

What makes Scrum successful?
Are you failing because you are overdoing Scrum?
When not to use Scrum?

Presentation slides are available here in the pdf format.

Suggested Agile Reading:

15 comments:

Jeff Anderson July 3, 2011 at 8:04 AM

Nice video what software did you use?
Yogesh Kumar July 3, 2011 at 10:26 AM

Thanks Jeff. I just use keynotes (powerpoint) equivalent of apple. I am sure that powerpoint can do it too but not as beautifully as keynotes does. Tool is a simple thing. Getting the content right requires huge effort.
David July 3, 2011 at 12:42 PM

I like all your videos but this is the most powerful video so far. It contains such an important message so easily. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Ravindra Pande July 5, 2011 at 7:51 AM

Great video & nice, precise though presentation. Keep it up.
ipadharmony July 5, 2011 at 5:43 PM

Simple and effective, does it every time.
Yogesh Kumar July 5, 2011 at 8:50 PM

Thanks folks. I really appreciate your comments. It keeps me motivated.
Julius Sasvari July 6, 2011 at 7:49 AM

Cool video! Nice presentation. Good flow. I like the wheel/Scrum analogy.
CF Solomon July 6, 2011 at 1:14 PM

Hi Yogesh, Thanks for great video! Please join the discussion on twitter this Monday, July 11 4-5 PM PDT with Lance Knight of Accept360. Global Product Management Talk Pits Product Managers Against Scrum Product Owners #ProdMgmtTalk http://bit.ly/qFlFL7
Solutions2BusinessProblems July 7, 2011 at 6:24 AM

Excellent. Keep up the good work.
arzala July 9, 2011 at 7:05 AM

One of the best Scrum presentation. I specially liked concept of "Engine agility".
arzala July 9, 2011 at 7:05 AM

One of the best Scrum presentation. I specially liked concept of "Engine agility".
Ion Moldoveanu July 19, 2011 at 2:14 AM

Do you know to what extend they may be using agile when building an airplane? A modern aircraft is not only engines and materials but has also lots of software. I am sure that quality is more important than an average business tool.
Yogesh Kumar July 19, 2011 at 9:20 PM

Good question Ion. I read a nice article published in a journal - "Challenges for Agile Development of Large Systems in the Aviation Industry". I will forward it to you. Here is the conclusion mentioned in this article:

"As mentioned, the aviation industry will not avert delivery delays completely by the agile approach. However, agile development is a promising instrument to diminish the risk of the development process considerably. Progress on this issue will make the aviation industry more open for more product variety and innovation in order to tackle the challenges of future mobility."

Let me know your feedback after reading that article.
kumar July 29, 2011 at 7:48 AM

The information is very valuable .Thanks for sharing it.Great work

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Samir Umrikar April 20, 2014 at 3:20 AM

Good video Yogesh. Complex meesge and posted simeply and effectively.