IT Glossary for Recruiters

What is Scrum?

Scrum is a popular method used to manage and complete projects. It is part of Agile project management. Scrum helps teams deliver work in small, manageable pieces, called sprints. Each sprint lasts a short time, usually 2 to 4 weeks.

How Scrum works

  • Before a sprint starts, the team holds a meeting to plan what they will work on. The Product Owner explains the top tasks from the backlog, and the team decides what to focus on in the sprint.

  • Every day during the sprint, the team has a short meeting (about 15 minutes) to share what they did yesterday, what they plan to do today, and any obstacles they are facing.

  • At the end of the sprint, the team demonstrates what they have completed. This is done in front of stakeholders to gather feedback.

  • After the review, the team holds a meeting to reflect on the sprint. They discuss what went well, what could be improved, and how to make the next sprint better.  

Scrum roles


Product Owner:
Responsible for defining the project goals, managing the product backlog, and ensuring the team works on the most valuable tasks.
Scrum Master:
Acts as a facilitator who ensures the team follows Scrum practices, removes obstacles, and helps improve efficiency.
Development Team:
A cross-functional group that works together to complete tasks during each sprint. They are self-organizing and work towards delivering high-quality features.

Scrum artifacts

Product Backlog:
A prioritized list of tasks, features, and requirements for the project.
Sprint Backlog:
A list of tasks chosen from the product backlog to be completed during the current sprint.
Increment:
The working product that is delivered at the end of each sprint. It is the sum of all completed work and must meet the team’s definition of done.

Challenges of Scrum

● Scrum requires all team members to be disciplined about following the process, which can be challenging for some.● Teams new to Scrum may face a learning curve in understanding roles, ceremonies, and artifacts.● Scrum relies heavily on teamwork and collaboration. If the team is not cohesive, it can impact the effectiveness of the process.

Benefits of Scrum

    Scrum allows teams to break down projects into manageable tasks, delivering working features in short cycles.
    Daily standups and frequent reviews keep the team aligned and focused on common goals.
    Scrum is adaptable, allowing teams to respond to changes in project requirements and stakeholder needs quickly.
    Scrum emphasizes regular reflections on team processes, helping to identify areas for improvement after each sprint.

Drawbacks of Scrum

    Scrum requires all team members to be disciplined about following the process, which can be challenging for some.
    Teams new to Scrum may face a learning curve in understanding roles, ceremonies, and artifacts.
    Scrum relies heavily on teamwork and collaboration. If the team is not cohesive, it can impact the effectiveness of the process.

Best practices for Scrum

Ensure Strong Communication

Regular meetings and clear communication help avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page.

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Keep Tasks Manageable

Break down tasks into small, achievable chunks to ensure progress and avoid bottlenecks.

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Focus on Delivering Value

Ensure that the highest-priority items are worked on first to deliver the most valuable features to stakeholders.