Whether it is starting a new business or creating a new line of product, every entrepreneur should employ the best strategy going forward. It is the only way of meeting expectations within a specific timeframe while also ensuring that there are no mistakes in the process. Thus, you would probably want to think about a productivity tool or some programs such as Trello or Jira right from the onset. However, efficiency is a vital consideration if you want to work through an iterative or incremental product development process, something that has been possible through Scrum workflow for over two decades now.
It is because, while Waterfall strategy remains pivotal in many aspects of workflow, it does not bring about a strong emphasis on quality at every stage of software or product development. It is why; over the years, Scrum method has become a darling to not only developers but also many other professionals in start-ups such as marketers and researchers. For example, packaging a marketing message wouldn’t be possible without factoring in a need for focus group meetings that put together a working idea (brand story), including working out a formula for testing final products.
In this post, you will learn about Scrum, particularly how it would come in handy for your next startup. But, first things first, let explore a few more basics with the following questions at the back of your mind:
- What does Scrum mean?
- What are the key features that distinguish Scrum from waterfall and Kanban?
- How Scrum can be helpful?
Understanding the basics and why you need Scrum
From the above, you must have already figured out how Scrum works, but, that is not as far it goes. Definitively, it is software or product development methodology/strategy that brings together cross-functional teams for speedy and efficient achievement of a common goal. You can also refer it to it a subset (process framework) of an agile project that simplifies big and complex tasks into manageable backlogs (ideas).
In this system, there are three main components (role plays) namely:
Scrum master: The person charged with the responsibility of overseeing efficient workflow through different sprints (timeframe).
Product owner: A representative of a client/customer whose product is under development. In a more traditional workflow setting, Scrum product owner equals a project manager who is in charge of the ideas to be implemented in a multi-stage process and coordinates everyone into adopting a workflow formula.
Scrum team: Product developers who are working on Scrum backlog/ideas at different sprints to realize a quality deliverable.
Fitting Scrum into your Startup and why it is necessary
A simple way of understanding the relationship between Agile and Scrum in project management is by taking the latter as a recipe (simple parts of a complex whole) into an easy-to-understand format, and the latter a cookbook. In the same way, businesses ideas can be hard to implement as a whole without a Scrum approach. It helps puts every little detail into perspective thereby making it for the product owner to decide on what should go first through a sprint.
Now, take a look at the following reasons why you must involve Scrum in your start-up:
1. Easy decision making
With the product owner taking sole decisions and representing the outlook of a final product in the Scrum process, there is hardly any conflict of interest as opposed to a waterfall system where requirements are implemented all at once in a design process. Thus, Scrum does away with delays, thanks to manageable backlogs that are easy to execute, implement and test through different timeframes.
2. Suitable for market-ready products
Whether you choose an incremental or iterative process in product development, Scrum as a subset of your agile project makes it possible to prioritize vital backlogs. You are, therefore, assured of top-quality and near risk-free deliverable at the final stage. There are few to no errors even if you undertake a sprint retrospective (looking back on the process through testing and cross-checking for missing elements).
3. Higher Returns on Investment (ROI)
A multi-stage process in Scrum, including its ability to link up different teams through varying sprints, makes it ideal a strategy for start-ups that want to hit the ground running with higher returns on investments after product launching. From reduced timeframe in development and regular feedbacks to doing tasks in prioritized bits, it is the best way to start a business with not much capital expecting huge returns within a short time.
4. Suitable effective error-free sprint review
Come to think about it. You come up with a recipe for developing a product only to discover a key component is missing. It wouldn’t not only be a grave mistake but can also be costly for investable capital. However, with Scrum, the fact that each sprint is subject to review before final testing minimizes errors. After you are done with implementing a backlog, it goes through testing, in which case, there is rarely any need to carry out retrospection. It is comparable to a situation where you get coursework help in UK, and the essay writing service located in other part of country or maybe in another country furnishes you with progress updates from time to time.
5. Flexible and adaptable to business goals
While waterfall approach is usually rigid because teams implement everything as a block, managing a start-up using Scrum is, however, flexible. Midway, business goals can change, or the product owner can introduce new backlog. There is hardly a need to alter the overall outlook of the final output or the system, yet teams with which you work can adapt to them into existing sprint processes.
Final Thoughts
Project management is one thing, but channeling ideas through an effective process like Scrum is not only necessary but also help simplifies projects. In start-ups, you don’t want to make costly mistakes when backlog becomes too much to implement, thus, you also need this approach to create cross-functional teams that will never disappoint.
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