Scrum has a foul fame in some organizations. In lots of instances, it’s 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 comply with in the event that they need to say they’re doing Scrum. Imposing this coverage helps stop Scrum from being blamed for Scrum-like failures.
We’ve created a easy Scrum Litmus Check—a fast means for any workforce or group to evaluate whether or not they’re really practising Scrum.
It’s positively 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 may argue that residing these values is the final word litmus take a look at for whether or not a workforce is doing Scrum.
It’s exhausting, although, for workforce members to know in the event that they’re residing as much as a price. 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 gadgets beneath are lacking, you aren’t doing Scrum. And that’s not a judgment—only a actuality test that will help you enhance.
To move the Scrum Litmus Check, a workforce should have the entire following:
- A dash size of 1 month or much less
- A number of folks filling the position of the Scrum Grasp
- One product proprietor and one product backlog
- A dash aim created each dash
- A every day scrum that focuses on progress towards that dash aim
- One usable Increment each dash
- A dash evaluation that features actual stakeholder participation
- A dash retrospective each dash
- A persistently utilized definition of carried out
Miss simply considered one of these, and also you’re not doing Scrum—you’re doing one thing else.
Wanting a Stage Deeper
If you wish to validate your Scrum implementation extra completely, examine the 9 classes beneath. Collectively they paint a fuller image of what actual Scrum seems like in observe.
1. Scrum Staff Construction
- One Scrum Staff, no sub-teams
- All three Scrum roles current: Product Proprietor, Scrum Grasp, Builders
- Product Proprietor = one individual (by no means a committee)
- Scrum Grasp permits Scrum and helps the workforce enhance
- Builders personal finishing work every dash
2. Product Backlog & Product Aim
- One product backlog for your complete product
- Product proprietor orders the backlog
- A transparent, seen product aim
- 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 exterior a dash
4. Dash Planning
- Occurs each dash
- A Dash Aim is created
- A dash backlog emerges from collaborative planning
5. Each day Scrum
- Happens each day
- Timeboxed to fifteen minutes
- Run by builders
- At all times centered on progress towards the dash aim
6. Increment & Definition of Executed
- At the very least one usable Increment each dash
- A shared definition of carried out exists
- The definition of carried out is all the time adopted
7. Dash Evaluation
- Occurs each dash
- Stakeholders attend and interact
- Newly created worth is inspected
- The product backlog will get up to date
8. Dash Retrospective
- Happens each dash
- Enchancment alternatives are recognized
- At the very least one enchancment is chosen for the subsequent 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 implementing 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 record, nice—you’ve simply discovered alternatives for enchancment.
Need Assist Bettering?
Mountain Goat Software program has been serving to groups really do Scrum—not simply discuss it—for greater than 20 years.
Whether or not by means of coaching, teaching, or evaluation, we might help your groups shut the gaps revealed by this Scrum Litmus Check and attain a better stage 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’ll be able to schedule a name.
Final replace:
January sixth, 2026
