50 signs you are doing Mechanical Scrum

Here are fifty signs that you may be doing mechanical Scrum

In a previous exploration titled "Does your Company understand what Scrum is?", I explored the nuances between empirical and mechanical Scrum. Understanding these differences is crucial, as it sets the foundation for a more effective and adaptive implementation of the Scrum framework. Building on that discussion, this article provides a practical guide to help you identify signs of mechanical Scrum in your team.

As a Scrum Master and Agile Coach, you must train yourself to recognise the signs and make them transparent.  This is the first step towards steering your team back to the empirical, collaborative, and iterative spirit of true Scrum.

 Before we delve into the signs, let’s revisit the core difference. Empirical Scrum is about adapting based on observation and experience, focusing on the core principles of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. In contrast, mechanical Scrum implements a work structure to be agile, but it lacks empiricism at every level.  This mechanical approach sees Scrum as more of a methodology than a framework for change.

The 50 Signs of Mechanical Scrum

Recognising the signs of mechanical Scrum is vital in understanding where your team might be veering off course. Here are 50 indicators that your team might be practising Scrum more mechanically rather than leveraging it for true empirical process control:

1. Focus on Agile Practices Over Values: Conversations are more about doing Scrum and Agile "right," focusing on practices like user stories, story points, and acceptance criteria rather than improving how to better product delivery.

2. Neglecting Core Scrum Principles: Your Agile "experts" rarely discuss the core principles of transparency, inspection, and adaptation.

3. Inconsistent Completion: The team consistently fails to 'Done' every Sprint.

4. Poor Product Quality: The product quality is substandard, with frequent incidents and defects.