Testing in Scrum with a Waterfall Interaction
Sometimes, when testing user stories in Scrum, there's a final Waterfall interaction to deal with. The scenario I present here is based on this situation: a Scrum process with an interaction of sequential phases at the end of the process to (re)test the whole developed functionality. These sequential phases are mandatory for our organization, which follows a Waterfall process for the releases of the product. So, for the moment at least, we have to deal with this — and my experience is that we aren't alone.
Applying Agile in a Mixed-Feature Development and SLA-Bound Bug-Fixing Team
Note: This article is based on a Scrum Alliance Google groups thread called "How to apply scrum in a mixed feature development and SLA-bou[n]d bug fixing team." I have compiled most of the solutions that were provided in the thread. Not all parts ...
The Self-Appraising Team
However exhaustive and meticulous your current employee appraisal process is, chances are you aren't pleased with the outcome. The primary objective of a performance appraisal is performance improvement, starting with the individual and rolling up...
Seven Things I Wish I'd Known When I Started out as a ScrumMaster: missing subtitle
Typically, when an organization starts using Scrum, the person chosen to play the role of ScrumMaster comes from some sort of managerial background. The organization expects that the manager, the so-called "Master," will get the Scrum project deli...
PM 101: Dealing with Team and Customer
Agile processes are gaining in popularity, which means many project managers are following them for the first time. Based on my own experience, I've developed a sort of primer for PMs starting out on Agile projects. The key points are as follows: ...
Empowerment: The Missing Ingredient for Scrum Teams
We all understand that Scrum teams should be self-managed and self-organized. Empowered is the commonly used term, because without empowerment it's difficult for self-management and self-organization to happen.
I've worked with many teams that ar...
Bring the Customer Along
Recently I wrote an article with a rhetorical question for a title: “Are Customers Ready for Agile?” The idea stemmed from the fact that software development organizations have followed Waterfall methodology for so long that they h've ...