A software development team using the agile development approach relies heavily on the scrum methodology to complete a project as efficiently as possible. Agile scrum describes an approach in the world of software development where a product development team completes tasks throughout the project in incremental and iterative stages, often referred to as “sprints.” When using the agile scrum approach, a team functions as a close-knit unit striving to achieve a common goal and mutually strengthen each other by enabling strong lines of communication between all members of the group.
In the game of rugby, a scrum refers to the method of restarting the match after a minor breach of the rules. During a scrum in a rugby match, players come together head down and try to gain possession of the ball (and ultimately win the match). Much like scrum’s agile approach to software development, to succeed or gain possession, a strong rugby team with self-managed roles works together for a common goal. Like agile scrum software development, a rugby scrum relies heavily on strong communication between all players, with each player fulfilling a specific role to the best of their ability.
4 Important Similarities Between Agile Scrum and Rugby Scrum
Software developers using the agile approach are well aware that scrum has its roots in the sport of rugby union and many of the principles in the framework are fundamental to the game. Like the rugby scrum, the agile scrum uses many essential techniques for your team to be as successful as possible. Follow along to learn four important similarities between agile and scrum rugby:
- teamwork – In the sport of rugby, the team must move around the field passing the ball many times to advance towards the goal. It is not possible for a single player, no matter how skilled, to score without the help of the rest of the team. In Agile Scrum, there is no team member working alone without the help of other team members during sprints. A good agile scrum team should be organized and able to pass work from one team member to the next as easily as possible.
- Multiple skill sets – Each position in a rugby team requires a specific skill set and a certain body type that must be combined with the other players on the team to further the team’s goal. Agile scrum is very similar in the fact that teams are made up of cross-functional groups using self-managing roles. Each team member brings her unique skill set to complete specific project tasks.
- Adaptability- Working as a cohesive unit, a rugby team must use good judgment during the fast pace of play. Each play is very different and the team must be flexible in determining the cost of taking the risk of having the opportunity to outmaneuver their opponent. In agile scrum, the backlog can and probably will be re-prioritized during each phase of the project. The product development team must remain flexible to adapt to every change made by stakeholders to the backlog to move forward as efficiently as possible.
- Culture – In rugby, there is a strong code of conduct that every player adheres to both on and off the pitch. The culture of the sport is carried out with a high level of respect between each player uniting players from across the game as one strong and united group. As with the sport of rugby, agile scrum promotes a strong set of values that each team member must adhere to in order to shape the behaviors of the scrum team. In Agile scrum, important values include: commitment, focus, openness, courage, and respect. Adherence to these values enables a development team to operate effectively as a self-managed cross-functional team developing the best possible product.
The scrum agile development approach has many traces of scrum rugby in its origins. Given this, there are many similarities in the way each team approaches a game or a project. Inspired and guided by the sport of rugby, the field of software engineering has made significant strides in product development through the agile scrum approach.