In Scrum Shortcuts without Cutting Corners, Scrum expert Ilan Goldstein helps the reader translate the Scrum framework into reality to meet the Scrum challenges formal training never warned about. Drawing on his extensive agile experience in a wide range of projects and environments, Goldstein presents thirty proven, flexible shortcuts for optimizing Scrum processes, actions, and outcomes. Each shortcut walks the reader through applying a Scrum approach to achieve a tangible output. These easy-to-digest, actionable patterns address a broad range of topics including getting started, quality and metrics, team members and roles, managing stakeholders, estimation, continuous improvement and much more.

Ilan Goldstein is a globally recognized Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) with extensive experience working with start-ups, market leaders, government agencies, and public companies, helping them to improve their agility through the implementation of Scrum. He is a regular conference speaker, guest university lecturer, and founder of both AxisAgile–a leading provider of agile training and consulting services–and Scrum Australia–a national not-for-profit organization focused on growing and enriching the Scrum community.

Foreword xvii

Preface xix

Acknowledgments xxiii

About the Author xxv

Chapter 1: Scrum Startup 1

Shortcut 1: Scrum on the Pitch 1

Shortcut 2: Fragile Agile 5

Shortcut 3: Creative Comfort 11

Wrap Up 15

Chapter 2: Attitudes and Abilities 17

Shortcut 4: Masterful ScrumMaster 17

Shortcut 5: Rock Stars or Studio Musicians? 21

Shortcut 6: Picking Your Team Line-Up 25

Wrap Up 31

Chapter 3: Planning and Protecting 33

Shortcut 7: Setting the Scrum Stage 33

Shortcut 8: Plan the Sprint, Sprint the Plan 37

Shortcut 9: Incriminating Impediments 42

Wrap Up 45

Chapter 4: Requirement Refinement 47

Shortcut 10: Structuring Stories 47

Shortcut 11: Developing the Definition of Done 51

Shortcut 12: Progressive Revelations 57

Wrap Up 61

Chapter 5: Establishing Estimates 63

Shortcut 13: Relating to Estimating 63

Shortcut 14: Planning Poker at Pace 69

Shortcut 15: Transitioning Relatively 75

Wrap Up 81

Chapter 6: Questioning Quality 83

Shortcut 16: Bah! Scrum Bug! 83

Shortcut 17: We Still Love the Testers! 87

Shortcut 18: Automation Nation 91

Wrap Up 98

Chapter 7: Monitoring and Metrics 99

Shortcut 19: Metrics That Matter 99

Shortcut 20: Outstanding Stand-Ups 107

Shortcut 21: Taming the Task Board 111

Wrap Up 115

Chapter 8: Retros, Reviews, and Risks 117

Shortcut 22: To-Dos for Your Sprint Reviews 117

Shortcut 23: Retrospective Irrespective 122

Shortcut 24: Risk Takers and Mistake Makers 129

Wrap Up 133

Chapter 9 Managing the Managers 135

Shortcut 25: Perception Is Reality 135

Shortcut 26: Our Lords and Masters 140

Shortcut 27: Morphing Managers in the Matrix 145

Wrap Up 152

Chapter 10: Larger Lessons 153

Shortcut 28: Scrum Rollout Reckoning 153

Shortcut 29: Eyes on the Prize 158

Shortcut 30: Shortcut to the Final Level 162

Final Wrap Up 165

References 167

Index 171