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Understanding the historical development of Scrum and Agile methodologies provides an essential context to better grasp the core principles of Agile and Scrum practices, which indeed are a critical part of the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) exam study syllabus.
The Agile methodology was born out of a need to address software development processes that were rigid, heavy-handed, and often led to project failures. The 1980s and 90s saw the widespread use of the Waterfall model for software development. This model was linear and sequential, giving little room for change or feedback. However, as the tech industry evolved, it became clear that a more flexible, collaborative approach was necessary to keep up with rapidly changing customer needs and technological innovations.
In response, in February 2001, seventeen prominent figures in the software industry gathered at a ski resort in Snowbird, Utah. This group comprising of methodologists, consultants, and practitioners penned the Agile Manifesto – a short, succinct statement of values aimed at delivering high-quality software that meets customer needs while being flexible to deal with changes.
The Agile Manifesto stated four key values:
This fundamental shift in values led to the birth of various Agile methodologies such as Kanban, Extreme Programming (XP), Lean, and notably, Scrum.
The Scrum framework was born in the early 1990s, conceived by Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber. The term ‘Scrum’ comes from a rugby move where players aim to restart the game after a minor violation or a play stoppage, symbolizing the essence of good teamwork.
The first Scrum Team was put together in 1993 when Jeff Sutherland implemented Scrum at Easel Corporation for a project called ObjectStudio. The productivity of this team saw an exponential improvement in comparison to earlier products, proving the effectiveness of the methodology.
In 2010, Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, the fathers of Scrum, collaborated to create the Scrum Guide, a document describing in detail the Scrum framework. It presented the roles, artifacts, and rules belonging to Scrum. The Scrum Guide undergoes iterative revision, with the latest update in 2020 making the guide leaner, more transparent, and more flexible.
Agile | Scrum | |
Definition | Agile refers to a set of values and principles put forth in the Agile Manifesto. It doesn’t specify particular methods but foreshadows several methodologies that adopt these principles. | Scrum is a specific Agile methodology that uses iterative and incremental practices to deliver products of high quality. |
Roles | Agile does not define any specific roles. It encourages collaboration and self-organizing teams. | Scrum has defined roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Scrum Team. |
Feedback | Agile emphasizes end-customer feedback and incorporates changes accordingly. However, it does not specify when and how the feedback should be taken. | Scrum insists on frequent and regular feedback through Sprint Review and Daily Scrum meetings. |
Documentation | Documentation in Agile is flexible and focuses more on customer satisfaction and working software. | Scrum promotes lightweight documentation, focusing only on necessities. |
Communication | Agile emphasizes face-to-face communication and promotes team collaboration. | In Scrum, communication is regular and structured, taking place in pre-defined ceremonies such as Daily Scrum, Sprint Planning, and Retrospective. |
In conclusion, understanding the historical development of Scrum and Agile is a crucial step not only for the A-CSM exam but also for anyone looking to implement these methodologies in their work environment. The evolution of these frameworks underlines the iterative and flexible nature of modern software development – a response to the ever-evolving technological and customer landscapes. It is this nature which is at the heart of both Agile and Scrum methodologies.
Correct answer: True
Correct answer: Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland
Correct answer: 2001
Correct answer: Individuals and interactions over processes and tools and Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Correct answer: True
Correct answer: All of the above
Correct answer: Easel PCX project
Correct answer: Agile is a philosophy and Scrum is an implementation of the Agile philosophy
Correct answer: False
Correct answer: 12
Correct answer: True
Correct answer: 2010
31 Replies to “outline the historical development of Scrum and agile.”
Appreciate the post!
I wish there was more information on the development of Agile frameworks beyond Scrum, like Kanban.
I agree, Kanban and other frameworks have also played significant roles in the Agile ecosystem.
I agree! The evolution of Agile methodologies is fascinating. Does anyone know what inspired the creation of Scrum specifically?
Scrum was inspired by the Japanese management practices described in the ‘New New Product Development Game’ by Takeuchi and Nonaka.
Can anyone explain how XP (Extreme Programming) fits into the history of Agile?
XP was one of the methodologies that contributed to the Agile Manifesto. It emphasizes engineering practices that are often adopted within Scrum teams to improve code quality.
Loved it! The historical context really adds depth to my understanding.
Great insights into the early days of Agile!
Loved the section about the Agile Manifesto and its principles. It’s great to revisit the basics sometimes.
Absolutely. The Agile Manifesto lays the groundwork for everything we do in Scrum and Agile methodologies.
Thanks for the informative post!
One aspect I think was missing is the influence of Lean principles on Scrum. Any thoughts?
Great point. Lean principles, particularly in reducing waste, have significantly influenced Scrum’s iterative development model.
Thanks for sharing!
Not sure if it’s just me, but the blog seemed a bit light on technical details.
I’ve been working as a Scrum Master for years, and it was nice to see a historical perspective.
The discussion on Agile’s adaptability over the years really resonated with me. Thanks for sharing!
Could you clarify the differences between Scrum and Agile?
Sure. Agile is a set of principles and values for software development, whereas Scrum is a specific framework within Agile that provides roles, events, and artifacts to help teams implement those principles.
This blog post really helped me with my understanding of the evolution of Agile methodologies. Thanks!
How does the Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM) certification tie into the history of Scrum and Agile?
The A-CSM certification builds on the foundational principles outlined in Scrum and Agile’s history by emphasizing advanced concepts and practices for experienced Scrum Masters.
Thanks for the detailed history!
As someone studying for the A-CSM exam, this post was very helpful.
Could you add more about the Future of Scrum and Agile?
Interesting read. However, I feel like the section on the Agile Manifesto could have included more detail.
Appreciate the blog! It was a great read.
This blog does a great job of outlining the historical development of Scrum and Agile.
What are some critical differences between the older versions of Scrum and the current framework?
One key difference is the emphasis on empirical process control in newer versions. Plus, current frameworks have more defined roles and events.