During the Agile Scrum training (like the Agile Scrum Foundation en Agile ScrumMaster (from EXIN) or the Professional Scrum Master (PSM-1) of Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO-1) (from Scrum.org), the Scrum Guide is always discussed in great detail.
The Scrum Guide or Scrum Guide is nothing more than a definition of Scrum where, for example, roles, events and artifacts are discussed. This document, compiled by J. Sutherland & K. Schwaber, can be found here:
Scrum Guide version November 2020
Scrum Guide version November 2017
Since we compile the material for the training ourselves, I have recently incorporated the new version of the Scrum Guide / Scrum Guide into the training material. While working on the Scrum Material, I noticed the following differences:
1. Even Less Prescriptive
Scrum has been reduced to a minimal framework. Prescriptive language has been removed or softened. For example, the three Daily Scrum questions have been removed, the language around Backlog items has been softened and the Sprint cancellations section has been shortened.
2. One team, focused on one product
There is now only one team (the Scrum Team) focused on one and the same goal. Within this team there are accountabilities for Developers, Product Owner and Scrum Master. There is therefore no longer a (development) team within a (Scrum) team.
3. Introduction of product objective
To allow the Scrum Team to focus on each Sprint and bring the product closer to the product goal.
4. Introducing Artifact Commitments
To bring transparency and focus towards the progress of each artifact.
The Product Goal is the commitment to the Product Backlog.
The Sprint Goal is the commitment to the Sprint Backlog.
The Definition of Done is the commitment to the Increment.
5. Self-directing over self-organizing
Previous Scrum Guides called Development Teams self-organizing. They chose by whom, how and in what way the work was done. With the focus shift to the Scrum Team in the 2020 version, it is emphasized that a self-managing Scrum Team that, in addition to who and how, also chooses what it works.
6. Three Sprint Planning Topics
In addition to the Sprint Planning topics of “What” and “How,” the 2020 Scrum Guide emphasizes a third topic, “Why,” referring to the Sprint Goal.
7. Overall simplification of language for a wider audience
Redundant and complex statements have been eliminated and any residual inferences from IT work (e.g., testing, system, design, requirement, etc.) have been removed.
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The author Ben Harmsen is an experienced trainer and consultant in the field of Agile Scrum: Trainer for Agile Scrum Foundation, Agile Scrum Master, PSM-1 & PSPO-1, but also available as an experienced Product Owner, Agile Coach and Scrum Master.
