Scrum Values: How They Can Improve Productivity

Behavior is Driven by Value

Scrum Values

Scrum Values represent distinct types of behavior and help us better understand and implement the rules of Scrum and gain more value from them when working on complex projects in complex situations. Behavior and attitude reflect one's core beliefs.  

As people and teams have worked together in Scrum for more than 25 years, we have learned that communication is important for any team to build trust, and transparency is a big step toward that trust. I have learned over the past few years that, to reap the benefits of Scrum, we need more than just trust. It is not just rules and principles that make up Scrum, though. Scrum is more about how you behave than how you do what you do. Consistent focus, openness, respect, commitment, and courage are the five core values of the Scrum framework. 

Here is a visual representation of the five core values:

 Consistent Focus 

Time-boxing in Scrum helps teams focus on what is most important now, rather than worrying about what might be important in the future. They concentrate on what they know now. 

 Because the future is so uncertain, the teams try to learn as much as they can from the here and now so that they can apply what they have learned in the future. To get things done, they concentrate on the tasks at hand. For them, it is all about finding the simplest solution that could work. 

 For a period of four weeks or less, the Sprint Goal provides a focus. During that time, the Daily Scrum helps people collaborate to focus on the most urgent daily tasks needed to achieve the Sprint Goal. Focusing on Product Goals throughout Sprints helps keep the team on track and provides a sense of direction. 

Openness 

Scrum's empiricism requires openness, honesty, and transparency. It is important to keep an eye on current conditions so that the team can make appropriate adjustments.  

Teams are willing to work together across disciplines, skills, and job titles. They are willing to work with stakeholders and the broader community to achieve their goals. Be willing to give and receive feedback from one another and learn from one another. They can adapt to the ever-changing nature of the organization and the world in which they operate. 

Respect 

Respect for people's experience, personality, and personal background is a central tenet of the Scrum community. The teams are considerate of one another's differences. There is mutual respect for each other's abilities, knowledge, and experience. Different viewpoints are welcomed. 

 The teams show courtesy to the sponsors by not adding or maintaining features that are rarely used and therefore raise the overall product cost. Spending money on things that are not useful or that are not appreciated or that may never be implemented or used is one way they show respect for others. They demonstrate their appreciation for their customers by addressing their issues. The Scrum framework is respected by all teams. Scrum's accountability structures are well-respected. 

 Commitment 

The players are dedicated to the team and to teamwork. They make a commitment to quality. Make a commitment to learning. Commit to doing their best every day, starting with the commitment to work at a sustainable pace. They have made a commitment to the Sprint Goal. They agree to conduct themselves professionally. Make a commitment to self-organization. Make a commitment to excellence. Make a commitment to Agile values and principles. Commit to developing working versions of the product that meet the definition of Done. Commit to looking for ways to improve. Make a commitment to the Scrum framework. Make a commitment to providing value. Commit to completing the work. Make a commitment to inspect and adapt. Make a commitment to transparency.  

Courage 

For them, change is a source of inspiration and innovation because of their willingness to embrace it. Courage in not delivering a product that has not yet been completed. Confidence in providing all knowledge that could benefit the team and the organization. Confidence in realizing that no one is completely flawless. Having the courage to shift course. Courage to share both risks and rewards. Confidence in one's ability to shake off the illusions of the past.