Scrum is a potent framework that encourages efficiency, flexibility, and cooperation. The Scrum Board, a visual depiction of tasks and their progress throughout a project is the core idea behind Scrum. The Scrum Board is a well-known tool that leads teams through the phases of work in an open and structured manner for individuals who have received Scrum Training. This blog explores the key stages of work on a Scrum Board and how this tool supports efficient project execution and productive teamwork.
Table of contents
- The Phases of Work on a Scrum Board
- Backlog
- Sprint Planning
- In Progress
- Review and Demo
- Retrospective
- Back to Backlog
- Conclusion
The Phases of Work on a Scrum Board
The stages of work on a scrum board that we should comprehend are as follows:
Backlog
The Backlog phase on a Scrum Board is where the journey starts. Frequently referred to as “User Stories” or “Items,” the Backlog is a prioritised list of work that must be completed as part of a project. These tasks typically capture the needs or features that need to be built and are stated from the end-user’s viewpoint. The team works together to clarify and improve the tasks throughout this phase, ensuring they are well-defined and have distinct acceptance criteria.
Sprint Planning
The team moves on to the Sprint Planning stage after establishing the Backlog. During this stage, the team chooses a portion of the Backlog’s tasks to be worked on during a predetermined time frame known as a “Sprint.” The selected activities are divided into smaller, manageable tasks during the sprint planning session. The team assesses the time needed to complete each work and decides how many tasks can be finished during the Sprint.
In Progress
The Scrum Board enters the “In Progress” phase as the Sprint begins. The team members begin working on chores at this point, and magic ensues. On the Scrum Board, a card represents each task, and its advancement is visualised. The status of each task, who is working on it, and any potential obstacles or dependencies are clearly displayed on the Scrum Board.
Review and Demo
The team holds a Review and Demo session after the Sprint. Showcasing the finished product to stakeholders, product owners, or clients is part of this phase. The Scrum Board, which provides a visual depiction of the tasks that were planned, finished, and maybe deferred, is essential throughout this phase. This open communication and opportunity for stakeholder feedback ensures that the project meets their expectations.
Retrospective
The team does a Retrospective session after the Review and Demo. Reflecting on the Sprint, discussing what worked well, what may be improved, and highlighting any difficulties encountered are all part of this phase. As a point of reference for the team’s progress and the challenges faced, the Scrum Board is used during the Retrospective. The team uses this data to guide the following Sprint’s changes and improvements.
Back to Backlog
A Sprint ends during the Retrospective phase, and a new iteration of the cycle starts. The process of choosing tasks, planning the next Sprint, and carrying it out is resumed. Any undone tasks from the prior Sprint are then transferred back to the Backlog. Due to its cyclical nature, the project is guaranteed to progress iteratively, with each Sprint building on its predecessors’ successes and lessons learnt.
Conclusion
A key component of the Scrum paradigm, the Scrum Board directs teams through the many work phases in an organized and visual way. The Scrum Board delivers transparency, cooperation, and flexibility throughout the project lifecycle, from the Backlog phase, where tasks are created, through the Review and Demo phase, where finished work is exhibited. The Scrum Board is a useful tool for those who have received Scrum training since it converts vague project management principles into concrete activities that can be carried out quickly and successfully.
