Scrum Guide Flashcards
What is Scrum?
A lightweight, iterative, and incremental framework used to solve complex adaptive problems while delivering high-value products. It is built on empiricism and lean thinking.
What is Empiricism?
A decision-making approach based on experience, experimentation, and evidence rather than assumptions. It relies on transparency, inspection, and adaptation to improve processes and outcomes.
What is Lean Thinking
A mindset that eliminates waste, maximizes value, and continuously improves workflows by focusing only on essential tasks. It emphasizes simplicity and efficiency.
What is Transparency
Making all relevant aspects of the work visible to everyone involved so that decisions can be based on reality. Examples: Clear backlog items, Definition of Done, and shared Sprint Goals.
What is Inspection
Frequent checks on the progress of work to detect issues early. Scrum events like Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Retrospective enable this process.
What is Adaptation
Making changes quickly when issues are found, ensuring that the team continuously improves. Adaptation happens in events like the Sprint Retrospective and Sprint Planning.
What is Scrum Team?
A self-managing, cross-functional team that collaborates to deliver a usable Increment every Sprint. The team consists of a Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers.
Who are developers?
Team members responsible for designing, building, and delivering usable Increments that meet the Definition of Done. They also participate in Sprint Planning and the Daily Scrum.
Who are Product Owner (PO)?
Maximizes the value of the product by managing the Product Backlog. Ensures backlog items are well-defined, prioritized, and understood by the Developers.
Who are Scrum Master (SM)
Servant-leader who coaches the team in Scrum practices, removes obstacles, and ensures that Scrum is properly understood and followed. Facilitates Scrum events and promotes continuous improvement.
What is a Sprint
A fixed-length event (1-4 weeks) where the Scrum Team works to achieve the Sprint Goal by developing a usable, potentially shippable Increment.
Timebox: 1-4 weeks
What is Sprint Planning
Defines the work for the upcoming Sprint. The team answers: Why is this Sprint valuable? What can be done? How will the work be completed?
Timebox: Max: 8 hours (for a 1-month Sprint)
What is Daily Scrum
A 15-minute stand-up meeting where Developers inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and plan their next steps. Helps detect and remove roadblocks early.
Timebox: 15 minutes per day
What is the Sprint Review
The Scrum Team presents the completed Increment to stakeholders for feedback. The Product Backlog may be updated based on insights from the discussion.
Timebox: Max: 4 hours (for a 1-month Sprint)
What is the Sprint Retrospective?
Focuses on continuous improvement by identifying what went well, what didn’t, and how the team can improve in the next Sprint.
Timebox: Max: 3 hours (for a 1-month Sprint)
Artifact: What is the Product Backlog
Purpose:
A dynamic, ordered list of all work needed to improve the product. Managed by the Product Owner.
Commitment:
Product Goal – The long-term objective of the product.
Artifact: What is the Sprint Backlog
Purpose:
The selected Product Backlog items for a Sprint + a plan for delivering them. Managed by the Developers.
Commitment:
Sprint Goal – A single objective for the Sprint that provides focus.
Artifact: What is the Increment
Purpose:
A usable, potentially releasable product version created during a Sprint that meets the Definition of Done.
Commitment:
Definition of Done – A shared understanding of what makes work complete and usable.
What is Self-Managing Team
Scrum Teams organize their own work and decide how best to accomplish their goals without external control.
What is Cross-Functional Team
A Scrum Team has all the necessary skills to complete the work without relying on external teams.
What is Incremental Development
Work is delivered in small, usable chunks (Increments) rather than waiting for a full release.
What is Definition of Done (DoD)
A quality standard ensuring that an Increment is truly complete. It avoids incomplete or buggy work.
What is Product Goal
The overarching long-term vision for the product. The Product Backlog evolves toward achieving it.
What is Sprint Goal
A specific objective for the Sprint that guides the Developers’ work.
What is Velocity
A metric used to measure the amount of work a team completes each Sprint.
What is Backlog Refinement (Grooming)
An ongoing process where the Product Owner and Developers clarify, break down, and estimate Product Backlog Items (PBIs).
What is Burn-down Chart
A visual representation of work remaining in a Sprint, helping teams track progress.
What are the differences between Waterfall and Agile?
Traditional (Waterfall):
Linear & Sequential
Fixed scope & plan
Siloed roles (PM, BA, Devs)
Late-stage testing
Change is discouraged
Focus on documentation
Scrum (Agile):
Iterative & Incremental
Flexible scope with adaptive planning
Cross-functional, self-managing teams
Continuous testing & feedback
Change is welcomed
Focus on working software
What are the three pillars of Scrum?
→ Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation.
Who is responsible for maximizing the value of the product?
→ Product Owner.
Which Scrum event focuses on process improvement?
→ Sprint Retrospective.
What is the timebox for a Daily Scrum?
→ 15 minutes.
What is the purpose of the Sprint Goal?
→ To provide a single objective for the Sprint and guide development.
What does the Definition of Done ensure?
→ That an Increment is fully complete, tested, and meets all quality standards.
Which artifact contains all planned work for the Sprint?
→ Sprint Backlog.
Who facilitates Scrum events and helps remove impediments?
→ Scrum Master.
What is the purpose of the Product Goal?
→ To define the long-term objective of the product.
What are the five Scrum values?
→ Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, Courage.
