a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

The false claim that Scrum is immutable

Clarifies that Scrum is flexible and adaptable, not strictly immutable, and highlights the importance of transparency when modifying its core framework or practices.

Published on
2 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/0iq-XTDNbfx

The false claim that “Scrum is immutable”!

The Scrum Guide makes it clear that it’s a flexible approach that welcomes change, including in Scrum itself, during implementation. Every part of the “Guide” (including its name) discusses flexibility and adaptation.

However, many will rally around the battle cry that “Scrum is immutable” and scream about its lack of fundamental agility, forgetting that it’s a “guide” and that its creators were one-sixth of those who created the Agile Manifesto.

The paragraph that they take offence to is way down in the “endnotes” of the Scrum Guide and reads:

“The Scrum framework, as outlined herein, is immutable. While implementing only parts of Scrum is possible, the result is not Scrum. Scrum exists only in its entirety and functions well as a container for other techniques, methodologies, and practices.”

I can kind of understand where the confusion comes from if one only reads the “The Scrum framework, as outlined herein, is immutable.” and ignores the rest. Still, with the content of the rest of the guide, as well as the following sentence, it is quite explicitly clear that this refers to an immutability of definition and not of implementation! This is an extremely important distinction that results in the idea that:

You don’t have to implement Scrum as it says in the Guide at all. You can do whatever you want.

All the Guide “asks” is that if we change the game’s core rules, we should be honest, open, and transparent and that we are playing a different game. Is that too difficult a concept to grasp?

The only people having these arguments are practitioners; for everyone else… it’s irrelevant. Focus instead on the intent and purpose…

…are we delivering value regularly? …are we getting feedback regularly? …are we adapting our plans regularly? …are we reflecting regularly?

The false claim that Scrum is immutable

Also published on: LinkedIn , Reddit
Subscribe

Related Blog

Related videos

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

Milliman Logo

Milliman

New Signature Logo

New Signature

Slicedbread Logo

Slicedbread

ProgramUtvikling Logo

ProgramUtvikling

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd. Logo

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

Freadom Logo

Freadom

Bistech Logo

Bistech

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG) Logo

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG)

Epic Games Logo

Epic Games

Philips Logo

Philips

Brandes Investment Partners L.P. Logo

Brandes Investment Partners L.P.

Qualco Logo

Qualco

Workday Logo

Workday

Ericson Logo

Ericson

DFDS Logo

DFDS

Kongsberg Maritime Logo

Kongsberg Maritime

Lockheed Martin Logo

Lockheed Martin

Washington Department of Transport Logo

Washington Department of Transport

Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo

New Hampshire Supreme Court

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

Deliotte Logo

Deliotte

Emerson Process Management Logo

Emerson Process Management

Genus Breeding Ltd Logo

Genus Breeding Ltd

Healthgrades Logo

Healthgrades

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd. Logo

MacDonald Humfrey (Automation) Ltd.

Slaughter and May Logo

Slaughter and May