Scrum of Scrums is a scaled agile technique used in larger projects where multiple Scrum teams work together to deliver a complex product or system. It is a way to coordinate the work and collaboration between multiple Scrum teams.
Overview of Scrum of Scrums
When a large, complex project involves multiple Scrum teams, it can be challenging to ensure coordination, communication, and alignment among them. The Scrum of Scrums technique addresses this challenge by establishing a higher-level coordination structure.
In the Scrum of Scrums, representatives from each individual Scrum team come together in a regular meeting, typically held daily or as needed. This meeting is known as the Scrum of Scrums meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to share updates, synchronize efforts, and address any cross-team dependencies or impediments.
During the Scrum of Scrums meeting, each team representative provides a status update on their team's progress, including accomplishments, upcoming work, and any impediments they are facing. This helps the other teams understand the overall project status and identify potential issues or dependencies.
The Scrum of Scrums meeting also serves as a platform for resolving cross-team issues and dependencies. If a team identifies an impediment that requires assistance from another team, they can discuss and collaborate on potential solutions during the meeting.
Structure of the Scrum of Scrums
The Scrum of Scrums meeting is facilitated by a Scrum of Scrums Master, who ensures that the meeting stays focused, time-boxed, and productive. The Scrum of Scrums Master is usually a very experienced Scrum Master who may also identify patterns or systemic issues that affect multiple teams and work towards resolving them in much the same way that a Scrum Master resolves impediments for a single team.
By establishing the Scrum of Scrums structure, the teams can foster better collaboration, visibility, and alignment. It allows for the identification and resolution of inter-team issues, reduces duplication of efforts, and promotes a shared understanding of the project's progress and goals.
The Scrum of Scrums is not a hierarchical authority but rather a forum for collaboration and coordination. The individual Scrum teams remain autonomous and self-organizing, with their own daily Scrum meetings and internal processes. The Scrum of Scrums serves as a mechanism to facilitate communication and coordination between teams, ensuring the overall success of the project.
