All
Scrum

How do you recognize Scrum achievements?

Scrum is a popular agile framework that helps teams deliver value to customers in an iterative and incremental way. But how do you know if your team is doing Scrum well and achieving its goals? How do you celebrate and reward the efforts and outcomes of your Scrum team members? In this article, we will explore some ways to recognize Scrum achievements and why they matter.

1 Why recognition matters

Recognition is a powerful motivator and a key element of employee engagement and satisfaction. It can boost morale, performance, and retention, as well as foster a positive and collaborative culture. Recognition can also reinforce the Scrum values of commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect, which are essential for successful agile teams. By acknowledging the contributions and achievements of your Scrum team, you can show them that you appreciate their work, value their feedback, and support their growth.

Add your perspective

Brian Kleinhofer

Technology | Product | Program | Leader | Strategy | Operations | Solution Architecture | Innovation
Why we do, what we do, when we do... with team-based development, everybody wins and celebrates the accomplishments that drive revenue, attracts new customers, and expands value that helps retain customers. Share metrics frequently. It is important for the Product Owner, stakeholders, and Leaders to ensure that as release messaging moves up and across the organization, the accolades do not solely land on the messenger, but the scrum team. Good practice is to include the scrum team in all release communications and meetings enabling cross-functional visibility into the team and their efforts. This also provides individuals with opportunities to see the accomplishments across other teams, and enhances future cross-team collaboration.
Like
Report contribution
Paul Oldfield

Team Member at WorkNest Ltd
If you have a need for recognition, then you have a problem with your culture. This is "hierarchical" thinking, dating back to the days of serfs tugging their forelock to the lord of the manner. Everybody should treat everybody else with respect. Get that right and the need for "recognition" evaporates. Recognition shouldn't matter. Respect, on the other hand, does matter; it is vitally important. Get this thinking right first, else the problem will never be solved. The desire for recognition is indicative of a shortage of respect. Fix that first.
Like
Report contribution
Christopher Vestal

Focus on what is important.
The reward is found in the work itself. A true artisan appreciates the ability to contribute and build unencumbered. They chose autonomy and empowerment over shallow flattery from people who can't really grasp what they did anyway. The best reward comes from the esteem and admiration of their own team mates that saw what they did and know the challenges they faced. The second best reward comes from leaders that simply taking interest and go out of the way to understand the challenges and help them succeed. Put down the pompoms. Ask them what they need to be more successful.
Like
Report contribution

2 What to recognize

Recognition can be given for various aspects of Scrum, such as delivering a high-quality product increment that meets the definition of done and the acceptance criteria, meeting the sprint goal and fulfilling the sprint commitment, and demonstrating continuous improvement and learning through retrospectives and experiments. Additionally, recognition should be given for collaborating effectively with other team members, stakeholders, and customers; exhibiting the Scrum roles and responsibilities of product owner, Scrum master, and developer; and embracing change and responding to feedback and challenges.

Add your perspective

Christopher Vestal

Focus on what is important.
"Scrum" is the means to an end - not the end itself. Most high-performing teams I have worked with would not be at all motivated by someone cheering, it might have the opposite effect. The best recognition is internal... They recognize that they are "building meaningful solutions, for people that care..." (to borrow from Seth Godin). Whatever you say should reinforce this...
Like
Report contribution

3 How to recognize

Recognition can be given in various forms, depending on the context, preference, and impact. For instance, verbal or written feedback, praise, or appreciation may be given during or after a sprint review, retrospective, or daily Scrum. Alternatively, a thank-you note, card, or email can be sent to a team member or the whole team for a specific achievement or behavior. Additionally, success stories, testimonials, or case studies can be shared with other teams, managers, or customers to highlight the value and benefits of the Scrum team's work. Furthermore, tangible rewards such as gift cards, bonuses, or certificates that align with the team's goals and values can be offered. Finally, professional development opportunities such as training courses, conferences, or mentorship programs can help team members enhance their skills and knowledge.

Add your perspective

4 When to recognize

Recognition can be given at different times, depending on the frequency, relevance, and timeliness. For instance, you can give immediate recognition for a specific action or result that occurred during a sprint or Scrum event, like solving a problem or delivering a feature. Furthermore, you can give regular recognition for a consistent pattern or trend that occurred over several sprints or a release cycle, such as improving quality or customer satisfaction. And finally, you can give periodic recognition for a significant milestone or achievement that happened at the end of a project or product lifecycle, like launching a new product or reaching a target market.

Add your perspective

Nabin Chaudhary

Passionate Agilist | Project Manager, Scrum Master at Infinite Software Services Nepal | Certified SAFe®6 Advanced Scrum Master | Certified SAFe®6 SP | Agile Methodologies | US Health Care | Leadership | Team Coach
recognizing team members is crucial for fostering motivation and reinforcing positive behaviors. The timing and nature of recognition should align with the significance and context of the accomplishment, contributing to a positive team culture. Impact of recognition: Positive Impacts: 1. Boosts team morale and motivation. 2. Reinforces positive behaviors and accomplishments. 3. Fosters a positive team culture and collaboration. 4. Encourages continuous improvement and quality. 5. Celebrates and acknowledges significant milestones.
Like
Report contribution

5 Who to recognize

Recognition can be given by different people, depending on the source, credibility, and impact. For example, peer recognition can be given to a team member who helped, supported, or inspired another team member during a sprint or a Scrum event. Self recognition can be given to a team member who achieved a personal or professional goal, learned a new skill, or overcame a challenge during a sprint or a Scrum event. Manager recognition is appropriate for a team or team member who delivered value to the organization, met the expectations of the stakeholders, or demonstrated leadership during a sprint or a Scrum event. Meanwhile, customer recognition is suitable for a team or team member who delivered value to the customer, met the needs of the users, or exceeded the expectations of the market during a sprint or a Scrum event.

Add your perspective

6 How to measure

Recognition can be measured by different metrics and indicators, depending on the objective, data, and feedback. For instance, one can measure the quantity and quality of recognition given and received by team members, such as the number, type, source, and frequency of recognition. Additionally, one can measure the impact and outcome of recognition on performance, satisfaction, and engagement, such as changes in velocity, quality, happiness, and retention. Furthermore, feedback and response of recognition from team members, stakeholders, and customers can be measured through comments, ratings, reviews, and referrals.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Paul Oldfield

Team Member at WorkNest Ltd
Really, this whole article is wrong-thinking. If "recognition" matters, then you have a serious problem with "respect". You won't fix it by addressing the symptoms. Address the causes.
Like
Report contribution
Apeksha Dalvi-Chawan

LinkedIn Top Voice || CSM || Test Lead || Scrum Master || QTP Certified || ISTQB CTFL® || API Testing || Mentor || Immediate Joiner
Respecting team members is a fundamental aspect of effective team dynamics and can significantly contribute to recognizing their contributions. Use metrics to showcase achievements. Highlight improvements in velocity, sprint burndown charts, or other relevant metrics that demonstrate the team's efficiency and progress.
Like
Report contribution

How do you recognize Scrum achievements?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Why recognition matters

2 What to recognize

3 How to recognize

4 When to recognize

5 Who to recognize

6 How to measure

7 Here’s what else to consider

Scrum

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Scrum

More relevant reading