Thursday, January 19, 2006

Scrum Project Management - A Definition

In a previous post, I mentioned that Scrum is not an acronym, it's just a word. Well, here's what it means.

1. Sports
a) A play in Rugby in which the two sets of forwards mass together around the ball and, with their heads down, struggle to gain possession of the ball.
b) The mass or formation of players during such a play.

2. Chiefly British. A disordered or confused situation involving a number of people.

Does 2 sound like a project to you? Additionally, the daily meeting sounds a lot like 1a. Good word!

Thanks to Dictionary.com for the info!

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posted by FemPM @ 10:05 PM, Read More...  
2 comments links to this post

2 Comments:

At 9:30 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Exactly what SCRUM is, a framework to manage CHAOS. The more complex and uncertain a project is, the better SCRUM works.

Try it, before having a opinion. It realy works, and much better then you might think.

 
At 2:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a Scrummer in both senses (sport and software projects), the above comment regarding definition #2 is correct.

Definition #1 lacks sufficient detail to be correct in fact. A rugby scrum is *not* a chaotic, disorganized affair. A scrum occurs when play has been unintentionally disrupted, and is used to restart play. Players have specific roles and positions. Each team has a strategy it attempts to execute.

During play, when the player carrying the ball is stopped/tackled, players from each team may form a group and attempt to obtain the ball. If the ball-carrier remains on his/her feet, it is called a 'maul', if the ball-carrier is taken to ground, the group is called a 'ruck'. Various portions of the laws of Rugby apply in each case. These two groups much more accurately reflect the meaning of the poster's definition # 1, although again, while they may seem disorganized, both teams have strategies and tactics they are attempting to execute.

Well executed Scrums, in both rugby and development, are exhilarating to participate in, and a joy to behold.

 

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