Four years ago, I discovered Scrum as a developer. In fact, I was pitchforked into a team that had to begin to work with the Scrum framework. It always causes quite a stir when learning a new development framework. And, I must admit, we are not necessarily enthusiastic about it, nor sure that it will be effective whereas we are asked to perform well in a new environment using different practices.

Probably it has already been the case for you or you are experiencing it now, whatever your role is. Or else, it is the case for new contributors joining your Agile team.

Would you like to discover and learn Scrum in a way that is efficient and fun? If you do, here is Scrumble!

A serious simulation game

There are real major and undeniable impediments concerning functional and organizational changes made to project teams: fear of wasting time, of over-committing themselves, and of failing to meet expectations.

What Scrum has to offer to your team is now appealing to you. However, the first steps of your transition have got off to a difficult start. Scrumble allows to quickly overcome your fears. If you feel it’s too risky to commit your team for several weeks, then take 2 hours with them to simulate your first sprints using a game. As a Scrum Master, I can guarantee you’ll get results.

This type of workshop is also useful if you have doubts about your team’s rigour to observe the rules in place and apply the Agile principles. I know by experience that right from the first 15 minutes of the workshop, observations are flowing and things are triggered.

Learn how to play

First, we invite you to go to the site dedicated to Scrumble and download its guide (English or French version). You will find everything you need (elements, rules, dynamics).

After some reading and cutting, you will be ready to simulate your first sprints with your team members. With an exercise carried out beforehand with the Product Owner, you will be able to manage and implement the functionality of your real project in the game!

Although the active players are the developers, Product Owner, and Scrum Master, the other stakeholders of the real project are invited to the workshop as observers in order to understand the way a Scrum team operates, their auto-organization mode among others.

3, 2, 1, start sprinting!

You’ve got nothing to lose!

The objective mentioned is the leitmotiv of Agility: frequently deliver value to clients. In fact, it’s easy to deliver, and it’s almost impossible to lose when playing the game (getting stuck for good). However, to rapidly meet the objective and end the project, the following is essential: exceptional know-how and interpersonal skills.

You’ll notice this rapidly, and you’ll have to demonstrate good judgement in order to address multiple challenges that are similar to those you are facing every day. Will you all pull together to work on the same activity or will you disperse yourselves per affinity? What level of quality do you consider acceptable? Do you allow time for training the team or do you end functions as fast as you possibly can? Who messed up the last build and stole your Post-it®? Why should Jean-Pierre always have the last word and why can’t Martine administer the data base?

It is up to you to be the heroes of your project and reveal the unexpected, may it be long-time dysfunctions or unsuspected qualities!

You no longer have reasons not to sprint! Good luck all with your projects!

Savoir Agile

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