At the end of 2020 the new Scrum Guide was published. In this article we talk about the updates that have been made and how they are extremely important to improve the use of the Scrum framework.
1. Even less prescriptive
Over the years, the Scrum Guide has started to become more and more prescriptive. The new 2020 version aims to bring Scrum back to being a less intrusive framework by removing or softening the prescriptive language.
For example, Daily Scrum questions have been removed and the language around PBI attributes (Product Backlog Items) and in particular the Sprint Backlog has been softened. The Sprint cancellation section has been shortened, and much more.
2. One team, focused on one product
The goal was to eliminate the concept of separate teams within the organisation that led to “us and them” behaviour between PO (Product Owner) and Development Teams. Now there is one Scrum Team focussed on the same goal, with three different types of responsibilities: Product Owners, Scrum Masters and Developers.
3. Introduction of the Product Goal
The new Scrum Guide introduces the concept of a Product Goal to help the Scrum Team be focused towards the main goal. Each Sprint should bring the product closer to the overall Product Goal.
4. Sprint Goal, Definition of Done, and Product Goal
Previous Scrum Guides described Sprint Goal and Definition of Done without giving them a real identity. They were not real artefacts. With the addition of the Product Goal, the new version is much clearer on this subject. Each of the three artefacts now contains a “link” to these three elements. For the Product Backlog there is the Product Goal, the Sprint Backlog has the Sprint Goal and the Increment has the Definition of Done (now without the quotes). They exist to bring transparency and attention to the progress of each artefact.
5. Self-Managing instead of Self-Organising
Previous Scrum Guides referred to development teams as self-organising groups that chose how and with whom they worked. By placing more emphasis on the Scrum Team, the new guide emphasises the idea of a self-managing Scrum Team that can choose how, with whom and on what to work.
6. Three Sprint Planning Topics
In addition to covering the Sprint Planning topics of “What” and “How”, the new Scrum Guide emphasises a third aspect, which is the “Why” that is related the Sprint Goal.
7. General simplification of the language for a wider audience
The new Scrum Guide has removed redundant and complex statements and the removal of any remaining inference to IT (e.g. test, system, design, requirements, etc.). The Scrum Guide now consists of less than 13 pages download it here.
Source: Scrum Guides
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