Scrum has a foul fame in some organizations. In lots of circumstances, it is because groups did one thing they known as Scrum, it didn’t work, and Scrum took the blame.
To counter this, when working with organizations, we wish to outline a small algorithm a staff should comply with in the event that they wish to say they’re doing Scrum. Imposing this coverage helps forestall Scrum from being blamed for Scrum-like failures.
We’ve created a easy Scrum Litmus Take a look at—a fast means for any staff or group to evaluate whether or not they’re really working towards Scrum.
It’s positively not in full compliance with the Scrum Information. For instance, I’ve not included residing the 5 Scrum values within the litmus take a look at. In some methods, one may argue that residing these values is the last word litmus take a look at for whether or not a staff is doing Scrum.
It’s arduous, although, for staff members to know in the event that they’re residing as much as a price. So this litmus take a look at makes use of easy sure/no statements {that a} staff can use to find out whether or not they’re actually doing Scrum.
The Should-Have Fundamentals of Scrum
If any of the objects under are lacking, you aren’t doing Scrum. And that’s not a judgment—only a actuality examine that can assist you enhance.
To cross the Scrum Litmus Take a look at, a staff should have all the following:
- A dash size of 1 month or much less
- A number of individuals filling the position of the Scrum Grasp
- One product proprietor and one product backlog
- A dash aim created each dash
- A day by day scrum that focuses on progress towards that dash aim
- One usable Increment each dash
- A dash overview that features actual stakeholder participation
- A dash retrospective each dash
- A persistently utilized definition of completed
Miss simply one among these, and also you’re not doing Scrum—you’re doing one thing else.
Wanting a Stage Deeper
If you wish to validate your Scrum implementation extra completely, examine the 9 classes under. Collectively they paint a fuller image of what actual Scrum seems to be like in observe.
1. Scrum Workforce Construction
- One Scrum Workforce, no sub-teams
- All three Scrum roles current: Product Proprietor, Scrum Grasp, Builders
- Product Proprietor = one particular person (by no means a committee)
- Scrum Grasp permits Scrum and helps the staff enhance
- Builders personal finishing work every dash
2. Product Backlog & Product Objective
- One product backlog for your complete product
- Product proprietor orders the backlog
- A transparent, seen product aim
- Backlog refinement occurs repeatedly
3. Dash Cadence
- Sprints are one month or much less
- Dash size stays constant
- Every dash begins instantly after the earlier ends
- No work occurs outdoors a dash
4. Dash Planning
- Occurs each dash
- A Dash Objective is created
- A dash backlog emerges from collaborative planning
5. Each day Scrum
- Happens daily
- Timeboxed to fifteen minutes
- Run by builders
- All the time centered on progress towards the dash aim
6. Increment & Definition of Achieved
- No less than one usable Increment each dash
- A shared definition of completed exists
- The definition of completed is at all times adopted
7. Dash Overview
- Occurs each dash
- Stakeholders attend and have interaction
- Newly created worth is inspected
- The product backlog will get up to date
8. Dash Retrospective
- Happens each dash
- Enchancment alternatives are recognized
- No less than one enchancment is chosen for the following dash
9. Scrum Values
Scrum solely works when the 5 values are lived—not simply listed on posters:
Focus • Openness • Respect • Dedication • Braveness
Why This Issues
This take a look at isn’t about imposing guidelines for their very own sake. Scrum is deliberately light-weight, and every aspect exists to create transparency, allow inspection, and drive adaptation. Take away even one and the entire framework weakens.
In case your staff discovers gaps as you undergo this record, nice—you’ve simply discovered alternatives for enchancment.
Need Assist Bettering?
Mountain Goat Software program has been serving to groups really do Scrum—not simply speak about it—for greater than 20 years.
Whether or not by way of coaching, teaching, or evaluation, we will help your groups shut the gaps revealed by this Scrum Litmus Take a look at and attain a better stage of agility.
In case your staff needs to get higher at Scrum, we’d love to assist. You may learn extra right here or you’ll be able to schedule a name.
Final replace:
January sixth, 2026
