Using SCRUM to get things done faster

I was aware of the term scrum in rugby but just became aware recently of how SCRUM is used in business. The process has been used primarily in IT and software development applications. It appears that it has applications in many different areas.

The following adaptation is from the site:
http://knol.google.com/k/what-is-scrum#

How does Scrum work to get product development done faster?

Scrum is a very powerful agile project management tool that improves team collaboration and helps improve team productiveness and product quality through a clear definition of roles and responsibilities.

At a more expansive level, however, Scrum is a framework, a value-system, and a process.

Scrum is a framework for managing projects or, more generally, work. It is iterative and incremental.

Scrum is a value system that asks teams to work together to accomplish a common goal, focusing on the output of the team rather than the input of the individuals. It values communication, openness, transparency, self-organization, and the worth of employees as individuals and professionals.

Scrum is a process that invites the application of those values by asking that teams generally organize themselves into three roles, participate in four regular meetings, and produce and maintain three artifacts.

What are the benefits of Scrum? First, it provides structure without unnecessary bureaucracy or hoops to jump through. This structure regiments communication and makes room for conversations that might otherwise not take place, resulting in less miscommunication. Reduced miscommunication often results in fewer defects and mistakes.

Scrum gives both team members and management a voice and increases the day-to-day control individuals have over their work. Unsurprisingly, this results in higher employee retention and satisfaction. Regular interactions help make things visible and transparent earlier than they may with more traditional, heavyweight processes.

Output is also considered more valuable than input that means that Scrum helps teams focus on big picture metrics like ROI, not how busy they are or look to managers. Therefore, Scrum helps us make more stuff that works for all the reasons above. If you’re in the business of selling stuff that works, you will probably make more money using Scrum.

Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to: With Scrum, you will probably produce better work for less money, in less time than using any other project management framework, value-system or process.