Scrum has a nasty fame in some organizations. In lots of instances, it is because groups did one thing they known as Scrum, it didn’t work, and Scrum took the blame.
To counter this, when working with organizations, we prefer to outline a small algorithm a workforce should observe in the event that they wish to say they’re doing Scrum. Implementing this coverage helps forestall Scrum from being blamed for Scrum-like failures.
We’ve created a easy Scrum Litmus Take a look at—a fast method for any workforce or group to evaluate whether or not they’re truly practising Scrum.
It’s undoubtedly not in full compliance with the Scrum Information. For instance, I’ve not included residing the 5 Scrum values within the litmus take a look at. In some methods, one might argue that residing these values is the last word litmus take a look at for whether or not a workforce is doing Scrum.
It’s onerous, although, for workforce members to know in the event that they’re residing as much as a worth. So this litmus take a look at makes use of easy sure/no statements {that a} workforce can use to find out whether or not they’re actually doing Scrum.
The Should-Have Fundamentals of Scrum
If any of the objects under are lacking, you aren’t doing Scrum. And that’s not a judgment—only a actuality examine that will help you enhance.
To cross the Scrum Litmus Take a look at, a workforce should have the entire following:
- A dash size of 1 month or much less
- A number of individuals filling the function of the Scrum Grasp
- One product proprietor and one product backlog
- A dash purpose created each dash
- A each day scrum that focuses on progress towards that dash purpose
- One usable Increment each dash
- A dash evaluation that features actual stakeholder participation
- A dash retrospective each dash
- A constantly utilized definition of executed
Miss simply one in every of these, and also you’re not doing Scrum—you’re doing one thing else.
Wanting a Degree Deeper
If you wish to validate your Scrum implementation extra completely, examine the 9 classes under. Collectively they paint a fuller image of what actual Scrum appears to be like like in observe.
1. Scrum Workforce Construction
- One Scrum Workforce, no sub-teams
- All three Scrum roles current: Product Proprietor, Scrum Grasp, Builders
- Product Proprietor = one individual (by no means a committee)
- Scrum Grasp allows Scrum and helps the workforce enhance
- Builders personal finishing work every dash
2. Product Backlog & Product Aim
- One product backlog for all the product
- Product proprietor orders the backlog
- A transparent, seen product purpose
- Backlog refinement occurs repeatedly
3. Dash Cadence
- Sprints are one month or much less
- Dash size stays constant
- Every dash begins instantly after the earlier ends
- No work occurs outdoors a dash
4. Dash Planning
- Occurs each dash
- A Dash Aim is created
- A dash backlog emerges from collaborative planning
5. Every day Scrum
- Happens every single day
- Timeboxed to fifteen minutes
- Run by builders
- All the time targeted on progress towards the dash purpose
6. Increment & Definition of Finished
- Not less than one usable Increment each dash
- A shared definition of executed exists
- The definition of executed is all the time adopted
7. Dash Assessment
- Occurs each dash
- Stakeholders attend and have interaction
- Newly created worth is inspected
- The product backlog will get up to date
8. Dash Retrospective
- Happens each dash
- Enchancment alternatives are recognized
- Not less than one enchancment is chosen for the following dash
9. Scrum Values
Scrum solely works when the 5 values are lived—not simply listed on posters:
Focus • Openness • Respect • Dedication • Braveness
Why This Issues
This take a look at isn’t about imposing guidelines for their very own sake. Scrum is deliberately light-weight, and every ingredient exists to create transparency, allow inspection, and drive adaptation. Take away even one and the entire framework weakens.
In case your workforce discovers gaps as you undergo this checklist, nice—you’ve simply discovered alternatives for enchancment.
Need Assist Enhancing?
Mountain Goat Software program has been serving to groups truly do Scrum—not simply discuss it—for greater than 20 years.
Whether or not via coaching, teaching, or evaluation, we may help your groups shut the gaps revealed by this Scrum Litmus Take a look at and attain the next degree of agility.
In case your workforce desires to get higher at Scrum, we’d love to assist. You’ll be able to learn extra right here or you may schedule a name.
Final replace:
January sixth, 2026