Scrum.org Working Agreements: A Guide to Effective Collaboration
Working agreements are an essential aspect of any successful team. They establish a sense of ownership and accountability within the team, resulting in better communication and collaboration. In the context of Scrum, a framework for Agile software development, working agreements are especially important. This is because Scrum teams are self-organizing and cross-functional, meaning that they have to work closely together to achieve their goals.
At Scrum.org, working agreements are considered an integral part of Scrum. They are defined as “a set of rules or guidelines that are established by and for the team, to ensure smooth cooperation and effective communication throughout the project.”
Why are working agreements important?
Working agreements help to establish a shared understanding of how the team will work together, making it easier to plan and execute tasks. They also establish a set of rules and guidelines that everyone on the team is expected to adhere to. This reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings, conflicts, and other issues that can affect the team`s productivity.
Effective working agreements should be created collaboratively by the team and reviewed regularly to ensure that they remain relevant and effective. They should be specific, concise, and easy to understand. Some examples of working agreements that a Scrum team might adopt include:
– Communication: Establishing clear communication channels and protocols, such as a daily stand-up meeting, to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
– Time management: Setting expectations for how much time should be spent on different tasks and how deadlines will be managed.
– Roles and responsibilities: Clarifying each team member`s role, responsibilities, and expectations.
– Code of conduct: Outlining acceptable behavior, such as arriving on time to meetings and treating team members with respect.
How to create effective working agreements?
Creating effective working agreements can be challenging, especially for teams that are new to the Scrum framework. However, the following steps can help to facilitate the process:
Step 1: Start with a brainstorming session
Ask team members to share their ideas and expectations for how they want to work together. Encourage everyone to participate, and make an effort to ensure that everyone`s ideas are heard.
Step 2: Consolidate the ideas
Once you have a list of ideas, group them into categories and eliminate duplicates. You should end up with a list of specific items that capture the team`s expectations.
Step 3: Prioritize the items
Rank the items in terms of importance and urgency. Identify the items that are critical to the team`s success and start with those.
Step 4: Refine the items
Refine the items to make them specific, concise, and easy to understand. Use simple language and avoid technical jargon that might confuse team members.
Step 5: Finalize the agreement
Share the final list of working agreements with the team and encourage everyone to sign it. This signals a commitment to working together as a team and adhering to the established rules and guidelines.
Conclusion
Working agreements are an essential aspect of effective collaboration in Scrum teams. They establish shared expectations and rules for how the team will work together, resulting in improved communication and productivity. When creating working agreements, it`s important to involve everyone in the process and ensure that the agreements are specific, concise, and easy to understand. With the right working agreements in place, Scrum teams can achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively.