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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Scrum summary
Jeff Sutherland
The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time
17 mins
Brief summary
Scrum by Jeff Sutherland is an essential guide for optimizing teamwork, productivity, and quality by adopting this Agile project management method using sprints and regular feedback.
Table of Contents
Scrum
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
If you want to get things done, ditch the traditional waterfall method, and try Scrum.
How many times have you planned to complete a project, only to find yourself painfully behind schedule as the deadline loomed closer?
Unfortunately, this happens often when we use traditional management processes, like the waterfall method epitomized by Gantt charts.
Gantt charts illustrate project timelines using color-coded parallel bars that indicate the timing and length of different parts of the process, which may occur simultaneously (the result can look like a stylized waterfall, hence the name). Although these are popular organizational tools, they often assume an outsized degree of importance, as when a project has fallen behind schedule, and managers pile more resources into it so that they can make their work fit that schedule, and not vice versa. It can lead to disastrous results.
For instance, the FBI planned to implement a modernized software system called Virtual Case File (VCF), in order to better share information and prevent another 9/11.
Using a Gantt Chart, the agency created a deadline for every important milestone. So the “technical design” stage was scheduled to end on a specific date, at which point the “coding and testing” phase of the project would commence.
Unfortunately, the project broke down before a single line of code was written. VCP ultimately wasted years of the agency’s time and $170 million in taxpayer money.
Since these kinds of failures happen periodically with the waterfall method, many organizations have adopted the scrum project management system instead.
Scrum is characterized by team building and constant feedback. This team-oriented approach is reflected by the name, which describes the moment in a rugby game when the team works together to move the ball down the field, all united by the same clear goal.
And this process works: When the FBI applied Scrum to Sentinel, their next attempt at large-scale modernization, the agency successfully implemented the system in less time, with fewer people and at a lower cost.
Curious to know more about the core ideas behind scrum? Well, keep reading to find out!
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What is Scrum about?
Learn all about Scrum, the project management system that has revolutionized the technology industry. This is a uniquely adaptive, flexible system that allows teams to plan realistically and adjust their goals through constant feedback. By using Scrum, your team can improve their productivity (and the final result) without creating needless stress or working longer hours.
Scrum Review
Scrum (2014) by Jeff Sutherland is an insightful guide to the popular agile framework that can transform team productivity. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides practical, actionable steps for implementing Scrum, empowering teams to deliver high-quality work efficiently.
- With real-world case studies and anecdotes from the author's experience, the book offers a valuable understanding of Scrum's potential.
- The engaging storytelling and the author's passion for the subject ensure that the book is far from boring, making learning about Scrum enjoyable and rewarding.
Best quote from Scrum
Scrum asks why it takes so long and so much effort to do stuff, and why were so bad at figuring out how long and how much effort things will take.
—Jeff Sutherland
Who should read Scrum?
- Anyone whose business is struggling to make ends meet
- Anyone who wants to be more productive in less time
- Anyone who manages a team
Categories with Scrum
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Scrum FAQs
What is the main message of Scrum?
The main message of Scrum is to revolutionize the way we work and improve productivity through agile project management.
How long does it take to read Scrum?
The reading time for Scrum varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Scrum a good book? Is it worth reading?
Scrum is worth reading for anyone interested in optimizing team performance and efficiency. It offers practical insights and a proven framework for successful project management.
Who is the author of Scrum?
The author of Scrum is Jeff Sutherland.
What to read after Scrum?
If you're wondering what to read next after Scrum, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Scrum Fieldbook by J.J. Sutherland
- F.I.R.E. by Dan Ward
- The Elements of Scrum by Chris Sims and Hillary Louise Johnson
- The Eight Essential People Skills for Project Management by Zachary Wong
- Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers by Anthony Mersino
- Transforming Project Management by Duane Petersen
- Inspired by Marty Cagan
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Singletasking by Devora Zack
- The Agile Leader by Simon Hayward