The Scrum method and its benefits in web development

If you are new to the subject, the Scrum methodology may seem complex. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as you think. Compared to other project management methods, it is simple and easy to implement. Rather than wasting time on planning and documentation, the Scrum method makes software development (or other complex projects) easier.

The majority of developers say that the Scrum method improves the quality of their working life. They can work more efficiently, with fewer obstacles or complications.

What is the Scrum method?

The Scrum method is simple. It is an agile development methodology, used in software development, and based on iterative and incremental processes. The Scrum method is an adaptable, fast, flexible and efficient agile framework that is designed to deliver value to the customer throughout the development of the project. The main objective of Scrum is to satisfy the customer’s needs through an environment of transparent communication, collective responsibility and continuous progress.

Development starts from a general idea of what needs to be built, by developing a prioritized list of features (product backlog) that the Product Owner wants to achieve.

The Scrum method allows companies to apply the principles and values of the agile manifesto to tackle complex projects. If the agile manifesto represents the “what”, the Scrum method represents the “how”.

The Scrum Master and Web Development

Duties of the Scrum Master include:

• managing the development organization,

• leading, training and mentoring the organization in its adoption and application of Scrum,

• planning and advising the implementation of Scrum within the organization,

• helping employees and stakeholders to understand and adopt an empirical approach to complex work,

• removing barriers between stakeholders and Scrum teams.

The Scrum Master keeps incoming disruptions away from the team. This helps the team maintain stability.

The Scrum Master plays a role with all stakeholders:

The interactions between the Scrum Master and the Development Team

• Mentoring team members.

• Helping the Scrum team focus on creating high-value increments that meet end-user expectations.

• Ensuring that all events occur and meet deadlines.

Interactions between the Scrum Master and the Product Owner

• Assisting in finding techniques to effectively define the product goal and manage the product backlog.

• Helping to establish empirical product planning in a complex environment.

• Facilitating collaboration with stakeholders as needed.

The Product Owner and Web Development

The Product Owner is the member of the Agile team who serves as the client’s agent.

He or she is responsible for working with the Scrum Master and other stakeholders to define and prioritize the user stories in the team’s backlog. This allows the web solution to effectively meet the priorities of the specification (functionality and performance), while maintaining technical integrity.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing and prioritizing the product backlog.

• Translating customer strategies into development tasks.

• Analyzing the market and customer needs.

• Serving as a liaison between the product and the developer team.

• Remaining available to answer coder questions.

𝔹𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕤𝕒𝕪 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕨𝕖𝕓 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕠𝕗𝕥𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕡𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕟𝕪. 𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕤, 𝕦𝕟𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕣, 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕣𝕦𝕞 𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕕, 𝕘𝕦𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕢𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕦𝕤𝕖𝕣.

The Development Team

The development team consists of software development engineers who provide a potentially deliverable “finished” product increment at the end of each sprint.

During the sprint review, a “Functional” increment is required. Typically, only members of the development team create this increment.

The development teams are well structured and the organization gives them the means to manage their own work efficiently. The result is a unique synergy that maximizes the overall effectiveness of the development team.

The responsibilities of the development team are:

• Preparing the product backlog.

• Planning the sprint.

• Executing the sprint.

• Monitoring sprint progress.

• Adapting the product and process.

The advantages of using the Scrum method in web development

Using the Scrum method in web development offers the following advantages:

A quality framework

The Scrum method ensures that the project is executed with high quality in mind. This method involves frequent testing of the web product and takes into account the owner’s feedback incorporated into the developments.

Ensure customer satisfaction

Scrum teams focus on customer satisfaction and are fully dedicated to delivering good quality services. They are always involved with customers by taking care of their requirements, working towards a fast delivery and accepting the fact that customer needs may change throughout the product lifecycle.

Fast delivery

The Scrum approach ensures that products are delivered to end customers approximately 30-40% faster than with traditional methods. The speed of delivery is partly due to the fact that the project’s progress depends on the Scrum team’s product owner, who is responsible for providing real-time details and requirements.

Even if the entire project is not yet complete, interim deliveries are made. The highest value and highest priority requirements are delivered before the lower priority requirements.

Build a good team spirit

The Scrum method improves team spirit and morale in several ways, which is important for increasing work productivity. Scrum teams are self-organizing, which means members can be innovative using their expertise. Recognition of this expertise boosts team morale.