Simplify your business with Scrum

• Pal Kienitz
• December 17th 2018
• Posted In: Agile, Business

Scrum is traditionally used only for software development. But do you know how to use this methodology to make your business simpler and more productive?

Sometimes the simple things are the best. Unfortunately, managing a business – or even a department – can be far from simple. This is why many organisations look to apply management models to their operations, and Scrum is increasingly becoming the framework of choice. Let’s take a look at how it can be used!

Scrum and the Agile business

Scrum is a practical methodology that is used to apply the Agile principles to a project. It was originally developed to help software development teams stay on track and work well as a team even when under pressure to deliver.

As with most great frameworks, the Scrum model can be applied to other scenarios than for what it was originally designed. Many organizations have discovered that Scrum is not just great for software development but can benefit many other business areas. Find out more detailed information about agile vs scrum differences.

A tried and tested model

The reason why Scrum is such an efficient model to use in business is because it has been tried and tested in highly challenging situations where time and resources are limited. It allows people to continuously extract value from their whole team’s collective knowledge and ability, which can otherwise be very difficult to do.

Let’s take a look at some of the central Scrum principles and how you can use them to build a more agile and efficient business.

• Simplicity: Defining the product
  When working with software development, it is of course obvious what the product is. However, in Finance, HR, or Sales and Marketing, the ‘product’ can be slightly more difficult to define. However, you can use the same concept to consider what your goals and your most central deliverables are. This will help to create clarity across your teams and make sure everyone shares the same goals and visions.
• Adaptivity: Managing change
  Just like software requirements and technology can change over time, the business environment constantly changes around us. Scrum takes this into consideration by allowing for shifting requirements and keeping an adaptive approach. If the needs of the customer changes, the business should change its direction by having a model for adopting feedback and implementing it.
• Productivity: Getting things done
  In software development, the Scrum model works with short, frequent ‘sprints’ that last for 2-4 weeks. These are designed to keep momentum and energy high, by giving the team a sense of achievement as well as urgency. In other departments, these sprints may need to be longer or shorter. The objective is to keep everyone’s mind focused on delivery and staying on top of their allocated tasks – in order to reach the team’s shared goals.
• Frequent Delivery: Constant review
  Scrum is built on the principle of creating early visibility of product features and value, to help everyone involved to understand the product and give feedback on it. In business, this idea can be transcribed to having regular points of delivery and review – sometimes with just your line manager – to keep on top of any issues and resolving them early.
• Accountability: Taking ownership
  One of the most famous elements of the Scrum methodology is the daily meeting. This is where the entire team gets together for a quick run-through of everyone’s progress, current activities, and any challenges they may have. This is a great way to ensure every team member gets heard and recognised, but it also allows the team to address any issues together by sharing knowledge and resources. In the Scrum, nobody gets forgotten and nobody can hide.
• Continuous improvement: Taking stock
  In a Scrum project, nobody moves from one phase to another without running a ‘retrospective’; a review of the iteration delivered. In this review the team will evaluate the results, while also discussing the way those results were achieved. What worked well? What could have been done better? How can the processes be improved for next time? This is a way for businesses to ensure they are on a path of constant improvement and best practice.

As #StayAtHome becomes the norm across the country, local businesses could use a little love. From offering toilet paper with to-go orders, curbside cocktail supplies and pop-up grocery stores, businesses are getting creative to continue serving customers. Find out how you can support your local businesses while staying safe at home with our list.

Follow your favorite businesses on social media.

The news moves quickly in these uncertain times. We find that changing hours, dining options and more are often announced on social media first. Many of our favorite restaurants closed their doors, only to open them soon after with takeout, delivery and curbside pickup, not to mention special menus! How did we know a Michelin star restaurant was now serving takeout? Social media.

Swap national chains for local restaurants.

The best way to support small businesses is to choose local whenever possible. Order takeout or delivery from local restaurants on your normal dine out days. Miss happy hour? Check local restaurants to see if they’re offering special pre-made drinks to go. If you normally grab coffee from a national chain in the morning, try getting curbside pickup at your neighborhood coffee place. 

Buy local.

We celebrate Small Business Saturday every November, but they need us now more than ever. Buying supplies? Find out what local shops carry before heading to national stores. In Costa Mesa, we have several alternative choices including a zero waste shop for home goods and personal care items, a craft cocktail store that’s offering delivery, and many more. Although some of the brick-and-mortars are closed, their online stores are open. If you do venture out to shop, the lines are often much shorter at local stores too.

Alternative grocery shopping.

Farmer’s markets are considered essential and remain open in California, even with a stay-at-home order. Consider purchasing groceries directly from farmers. You can often find a wide range of goods like fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy. Some restaurants are also selling prime cuts of meat, seafood, eggs and more in pop-up shops or as part of their takeout options. Check your options before heading to the supermarket.

Commit to rescheduling.

Salons, spas and other service-related shops had to cancel appointments. Theatres and concert halls had to cancel performances. Commit to rescheduling your appointments as soon as possible. Ask the box office about alternatives to getting a refund on your tickets. If you can exchange your ticket for a later date then you’ll be supporting the arts at a difficult time. Plus, you’ll have something to look forward to. 

There are many ways to help out businesses in your area without having to leave home. We hope you find our list useful. If you’re local to Costa Mesa, we’ve created a page of business updates that’s refreshed daily.

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