Scrum Daily Standup Meeting(s)

This daily standup meeting has various names…

Standup meeting
Daily Standup
Scrum Meeting
Daily

… but its reason-for-being is for the development team to collaborate, keep up to date on progress towards the spring goal and identify any impediments to the upcoming days work. It can be facilitated by a Scrum Master, or a mature team may run it themselves.

See what scrum.org has a to say about them

According to the Scrum Alliance

It is…

Timeboxed to 15 minutes.

Collaborative.

SHORT and SHARP.

With PACE and ENERGY.

A fundamental Scrum event

It is not…

A status update.

For problem solving → these can take place immediately after with the necessary team members.

Run a Successful Daily Standup Meeting

Round Robin – Go to each person in sequence for their update.
Walking the (kanban) board and the progress.

Set a environment for success

Psychologically safe environment – free to ask question and make mistakes, without retribution. Value everybody’s opinion.

Its the team’s duty is to flag any blockers.

Change how you facilitate if things change (new members etc.) – remember the meeting Purpose.

Fixed Agenda Daily Standup Questions

What did you achieve yesterday?
What are you doing today, aiming to achieve?
Are there any blockers facing you today?

Tips for a Great Daily Standup Meeting

Fix the time and location.
Start on time.
Avoid disruptions. Late comers need to catch up.
Stick to the agenda (avoid small talk).
Be VERY attentive.
Use a parking lot → record the issues to be discussed after.
Set Ground Rules (Establish norms, with the teams input):

Limit time for each person. The person ‘on the floor’ holds a ball or something (one person reporting at a time).
Electronics (phones) on exception.
Update are directed towards the team and the board, not the facilitator.
- Appropriate level of detail.
- Move / amend / add tasks on the board, add comments, add estimates/dates.
Decide on a specific mini celebration for tasks moved to done.
No sitting.
No Side conversations.
Sponsor (only an observer) and cannot ask for updates.

Any impediments / dependencies?
Question for the meeting facilitator at the end of each update.

Anyone need to get together to do some peer programming?
Question for the meeting facilitator at the end of the meeting.

Sample Agenda for a Scrum Daily Standup

Check if participants are there. If enough are there…start. If not, address this immediately.
Thank you for joining
This is Day X of the 14 day sprint
Go over dashboard
Go to each developer and tester
Encourage my team to continually add comments to any upcoming story.
Any open questions.

Useful Videos on Daily Standup Meetings

Gratitude the Super-Power

“Thank You, Thank You, Thank You”

Hopefully you had a good childhood, or at least some good memories. Times where your world was full of wonder and awe and openly showed you excitement. Doing something for the first time was exhilarating and life was seemingly full of magic.

Now think back to one of those time…how do you feel, warm, safe, assuming that ‘things’ will always be available and the summer will never end. How would you like to relive this feeling as an adult. Well there is an option, but it will take time and practice. The magic bullet can be summarized in one word ‘Gratitude’.

Most people will say they are grateful for what they have…but are you really. I have often said thank you to people automatically, as that is how I was brought up. But am I truly grateful or am I going through the motions.

There is a universal law that stipulates that the more you are grateful, the more you say thank you (with depth) for something the more we receive in return.

The exercise I am going to outline below does not require any expertise, can be done by practically anyone. All it requires is a bit of time and persistence. Now when I say that is ‘all it requires’ I realize its simplicity doesn’t make it any easier.

Equipment

Pen and paper

Steps:

Every Morning:

Write down 10 things you are grateful for, air, water, family…. and state why. Start each sentence with words similar to:

I am so happy and grateful, now that …

When done read each one out loud and the words ‘thank you!’ x3 times. Do this with as much emotion as you can muster. Note you can also be thankful for things that have not happened yet; this will give them a better chance of actually happening.

Every Evening:

Just before you get in bed think of the best thing that happened today, the high light, the things that made you happiest. Just searching for this thing will bring to mind all the good things that happened during the day. Sleep contentedly with this thought in mind.

Tip! many find it difficult to make this a habit. Remind yourself by putting a small rounded stone on your pillow.

Do the above for 30 days in a row and it will be come a habit.

Tip! if you miss a day on your 30 day journey put your day counter back 3 days.

After a few days you should feel a shift in yourself and after 30 days you may not recognize you former self.

If you really want to prove this, write down how you feel before you start this exercise and re-read it after 10-20-30 days….do you still feel this way?

Make this simple gratitude exercise an every day habit, and never pass up an opportunity during the day to express your gratitude openly.

If you would like to excel this process pick up a copy of the book

‘The Magic‘ by Rhonda Byrne

Employees Mental Health

The greatest asset people have is their ability to think, their ability to be creative. Show you team members that you care about their well-being and the results will show in their work and their commitment to your business.

Ever since the pandemic, when many employees across industries were struggling with high levels of loneliness and burnout, there has been a push to invest more in employees’ mental health. While data tracking mental health offerings and employee participation from industry leaders only dates back as far as 2021, today there are many organizations taking action to support employee well-being through benefits like unlimited paid time off, mental health days, paid volunteer time, company-wide days off to fully disconnect, office meditation spaces, and more.

A recent Gallup research showed that worker disengagement is at historic highs and is largely attributed to “not feeling cared for at work.” Gallup studies also found that employees who feel their organizations care about their well-being are 69% less likely than other workers to search for a new job, 71% less likely to report experiencing burnout, and five times more likely to advocate for their organization.

5 Ways to Show your Employees your care about their mental health

1. Be More Vocal

First and foremost, it’s important to recognize that there’s a major difference between offering mental health benefits and really encouraging their use. When you lead a team, you set the tone for what kinds of behaviors are and aren’t accepted, so you need to actively communicate your support for prioritizing mental health – mention the availability of mental health benefits and encourage your team members to take advantage of them. If your company has limited benefits, this can simply mean promoting the use of vacation days, asking your employees to unplug at a reasonable hour and take breaks when needed, and emphasizing that you support them using sick days for their mental health as well.

2. Stay mindful

Being a present leader who checks in on your team members goes a long way. In a recent Qualtrics and SAP study, nearly 40% of global employees reported that no one at their company had asked them if they were doing okay, and those respondents were 38% more likely than others to say that their mental health had declined since the start of the pandemic. So, be intentional about asking your employees how they are doing and look out for any changes in behavior that may need to be addressed. Additionally, feel free to schedule one on one syncs here and there that are not about status updates or project feedback, but rather just time to see what your team members need to feel supported. Offering even 15 minutes of dedicated time to your employees can really make a difference.

3. Ask for input

Remember that people often manage their mental health in different ways, so try to ask your employees what is helpful from you as their manager when it comes to navigating their well-being. Additionally, encourage your team members to share their own ideas about improving mental health support on your team. Whether you send out quarterly surveys or simply let your employees know that they should feel comfortable coming to you with ideas, be sure to create that space and really listen. By giving your employees a voice and helping them feel part of the mental health efforts within your team, you ensure greater buy-in and increase the likelihood of them actually participating.

4. Be supportive

Over 60% of employees suffer from stress related to juggling work and family commitments, according to studies from Benenden Health. That’s why, as a leader, it’s so important to convey your commitment to the well-being of your employees and their families. Whether that means encouraging your team members to plan time off with their loved ones or actively organizing a team event to which family members are also invited, do your best to try and alleviate some of that balancing stress.

5. Celebrate achievements

When relevant, recognize your employees’ goals and accomplishments pertaining to their well-being. For example, if your employee adequately prepares their team members before their upcoming vacation and then effectively disconnects from work while they’re away, acknowledge that behavior in a positive way! And the same is true for personal milestones – honor employee achievements like running a marathon, having a baby, moving to a new home, and more. Set the standard that taking care of one’s well-being is not only accepted, but actually expected and celebrated on your team.

DON’T QUIT

Perseverance is the secret ingredient to commitment

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won if he’d stuck it out.

Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow –

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor’s cup,

And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out –

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are –

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

“Have A Beautiful Day + Make It Your Best — Because This Day Will Never Come Again”
Tony Dosanjh

Agile Manifesto & 12 Core Principles

See how the ‘Scrum Fundamentals‘ fit into Agile.

We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value:

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.

2. Working software over comprehensive documentation.

3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.

4. Responding to change over following a plan.

That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.

The 12 core principles of the Agile Manifesto are as follows:

1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.

2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage. 3. Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.

4. Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.

5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.

6. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.

7. Working software is the primary measure of progress.

8. Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.

9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.

10. Simplicity–the art of maximizing the amount of work not done–is essential.

11. The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.

12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes

Scrum Master Job Description

The Scrum Master is responsible for managing and facilitating the Scrum process, ensuring the team adheres to the values and principles of the Agile methodology.

The Scrum Master’s primary responsibilities include helping to define and refine team processes, removing impediments to progress, and guiding the team toward successful outcomes.

The Scrum Master acts as a coach to the team, helping them to become self-organizing and highly productive.

The Scrum Master will also work with the Product Owner to ensure a clear understanding of the product goals, and help the team to prioritize accordingly.

The Scrum Master will be responsible for setting up and running daily Scrum meetings, helping to plan and facilitate sprint reviews and retrospectives, and assisting with any conflict resolution that may arise. The Scrum Master will also need to stay up to date with Agile best practices and be available to answer questions and provide guidance to the team.

Qualities that make a Great Scrum Master

A Scrum Master is a facilitator and leader who helps a Scrum team to follow the Scrum framework and principles. The most important skills of a Scrum Master include:

Leadership: A Scrum Master must be able to lead the team and help them to work together effectively.
Facilitation: A Scrum Master must be able to facilitate meetings and discussions, and help the team to make decisions.
Communication: A Scrum Master must have strong communication skills and be able to convey information clearly and effectively to the team, stakeholders and other relevant parties.
Coaching: A Scrum Master must be able to coach the team members, help them to identify and overcome obstacles, and improve their skills.
Conflict resolution: A Scrum Master must be able to help the team to resolve conflicts and maintain a positive and productive working environment.
Problem-solving: A Scrum Master must be able to help the team to identify and solve problems, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the project and the team.
Knowledge of Scrum: A Scrum Master must have a deep understanding of the Scrum framework and be able to apply it effectively.
Adaptability: A Scrum Master must be able to adapt to the changing needs of the team and the project, and be able to guide the team through changes.

Scrum Developer Job Description

A Scrum Developer is responsible for creating and developing software (and other) products. They must use the Agile Scrum methodology to develop and deliver software products. The Scrum Developer should be able to understand the business requirements and create a plan to develop the software product. They must be able to work within a team environment and collaborate with other members to ensure the software product is delivered on time and within budget.

The Scrum Developer must have excellent problem solving and communication skills, as well as experience in software development and the Agile Scrum methodology. They should be able to work independently and with a sense of ownership for their projects. The Scrum Developer must have strong technical skills in areas such as object-oriented programming, software design and development, database design and development, web development, and software testing. They must also be able to use tools such as version control systems, automated testing frameworks, and bug tracking tools.

The Scrum Developer must be able to work effectively and efficiently under pressure, while meeting tight deadlines and maintaining a high level of quality. They should also have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work closely with stake holders, project managers, and other development teams.

Scrum Product Owner Job Description

A Scrum Product Owner is responsible for managing the product backlog and ensuring that the development team is delivering value to the customer.

The Product Owner is the voice of the customer and acts as a liaison between the development team and the stakeholders. They are responsible for ensuring that the product roadmap aligns with the company’s strategy and objectives.

The Product Owner is responsible for anticipating customer needs and developing features that address those needs. They will also prioritize features and manage the development team’s resources to ensure that the most important features are developed first. The Product Owner will also be responsible for setting clear goals, defining acceptance criteria, and monitoring progress against those goals.

To succeed in this role, the Product Owner should have a good understanding of the product, the customer, and the market. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills and be able to work effectively with multiple stakeholders. Additionally, the Product Owner should have experience working with Agile methodology and be comfortable with data-driven decision making.

State of the IrishScrum Nation

The Agile and Scrum frameworks have become increasingly popular in Irish businesses in recent years, as organizations look to reduce costs, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve the overall efficiency of their operations. Agile and Scrum provide a more efficient and flexible way of working, which can be beneficial to both the customer and the business.

Agile and Scrum frameworks are designed to be flexible, enabling teams to quickly adjust their processes and adapt to changing customer needs. This ability to quickly make changes can help businesses to save time and money, as well as providing a more efficient and effective way of working. Agile and Scrum also allow for more collaboration between teams, as well as encouraging communication and problem solving.

In addition, Agile and Scrum frameworks can help businesses to reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction. By working in an iterative and incremental way, teams are able to focus on delivering customer value, rather than simply trying to deliver the product as quickly as possible. This can help to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction, as customers have a better understanding of what they are getting.

Irish companies that use Scrum most

Irish companies that use Scrum most include:

1. Intercom

2. Version 1

3. Ammeon

4. Workday

5. Stripe

6. HubSpot

7. Aon

8. Alltech

9. Tyndall National Institute

10. Fidelity Investments Ireland

ScrumIreland is a practical and easy way to connect with the Irish scrum market that can help you grow in a meaningful direction and warm more for your business and your family.