At a recent Professional Scrum Master Advanced course, we were discussing how to promote engagement at the Daily Scrum when Mark Kuzik, lean champion and Director at Argus Machine in Canada suggested shaking things up by trying Management by Exception at the Daily Scrum.
What is Management by Exception? It's the idea that we should manage the things that are off track, rather than giving focus to things that are going well. In the context of the Daily Scrum, this could be done by asking open ended questions intended to find out if there are any issues that need to be discussed. Rather than a "round robin" approach, the team should focus on anything that is not going according to expectations. For example:
Is anyone having any trouble?
Is there anything that we need to discuss?
Do we need to make any updates to the Sprint Backlog?
Are we on track to meet the Sprint Goal?
And that's it! Remember, if you use this approach that it is important that Developers continue to make updates to the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint in order to ensure that the artifact is transparent so that team members can more easily inspect progress during the Sprint.
Why This Works
The Daily Scrum is not just a routine; it’s a moment for the team to collaborate and make sure they’re moving in the right direction. Shifting to a Management by Exception approach can break the monotony of traditional status updates and help focus on what matters most—solving problems and achieving the Sprint Goal. It creates space for deeper conversations and empowers team members to address impediments early.
By eliminating the "round robin," you’re also removing the potential pressure for everyone to speak just for the sake of speaking. Instead, team members can focus on what’s important: surfacing blockers, adjusting plans, and staying aligned.
Tips to Make It Even Better
Here are some additional ways to keep your Daily Scrum fresh and engaging:
Rotate the Facilitator: Let different team members take turns facilitating the Daily Scrum. This keeps things dynamic and gives everyone a sense of ownership.
Start with the Sprint Goal: Begin by revisiting the Sprint Goal. This keeps the team focused and aligned on what they’re collectively trying to achieve.
Use a Timer: To avoid the discussion dragging on, set a timer for the Daily Scrum. Remember, it’s time-boxed to 15 minutes. If deeper discussions are needed, schedule a follow-up conversation.
Visualize Progress: Use a physical or digital board to track the Sprint Backlog. Seeing the work can help the team spot patterns, identify blocked items, and discuss dependencies more effectively.
Celebrate Small Wins: If the team has achieved a significant milestone or resolved a tricky issue, take a moment to acknowledge it. A little positivity can go a long way in boosting morale.
A Word of Caution
While it’s great to experiment with your Daily Scrum, remember the purpose: it’s a planning event, not a problem-solving session. Keep it focused and productive. If deeper discussions arise, note them and address them later with the relevant people.
The Daily Scrum is a powerful tool when used effectively. By shifting the focus from individual updates to collaborative problem-solving, you can unlock its full potential and help your team deliver more value. Management by Exception can help ensure that you are spending your time where it adds the most value. Give it a try, and you might just find that your Daily Scrum goes from stale to stellar!
Rebel Scrum is the host of the Madison Scrum Day Agile conference.
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