Scrum

Scrum is an agile framework for project management that organizes work into fixed-length iterations called sprints (typically 2 weeks). It defines three roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development Team) and four ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective).

How it works #

Each sprint starts with planning, continues with daily standups for synchronization, and ends with a review (what was done) and a retrospective (how to improve the process). Timeboxing is the fundamental principle: every ceremony has a non-negotiable maximum duration.

What it’s for #

Scrum provides structure for teams working on complex projects with evolving requirements. The short sprint cycle enables rapid feedback, frequent course corrections, and continuous visibility into project status. The daily standup is one of the framework’s most recognizable ceremonies.

What can go wrong #

The most common risk is adopting Scrum as a ritual without understanding its principles. Teams that hold standups but don’t respect the timebox, sprints without a clear goal, retrospectives that don’t produce concrete actions. Scrum works when applied with discipline, not when it’s just a label.