WP goes Scrum

Tirsdag, 2. juni 2009 00:00

WorldPartner implements SCRUM, a unified project model for software development projects.

 

With the objective of streamlining its operations, WorldPartner has chosen Scrum as the method of choice for all projects handled by its consulting group.

Scrum is an agile development method having many iterations during product development. Each iteration is tested and approved by both the team testers and the client. This is opposed to the waterfall method which schedules most of the tests and approvals when the entire product is ready for delivery.

In Scrum, an iteration is called a "sprint". Sprints typically range from one to four week periods, in which the team creates a potentially shippable product increment, i.e. a working and tested part of the final software. Deliveries per sprint come from the product backlog as well as the backlog of defects (bugs). Each sprint prioritizes the most significant facet of the project.

Backlog items for each sprint are determined during sprint planning meetings. These meetings allow interactions between the client and the development team, so the focus is always on fulfilling client expectations. This ensures the least number of surprises from project cradle to grave, since the client will always have an idea of what is being done and how the final product will look. The client can make changes at any stage in the process, since the process itself will always supply vital inputs to what the optimal end product should be.

While Scrum is initially adopted in WorldPartners consulting operation, WorldPartner will offer it's ODC's to share experiences, tools and processes.