Are you really doing Scrum?
Download the Scrum Checklist (version 2.2, PDF format).

I’m glad to see this checklist is used by Scrum trainers around the world. Here are some quotes:

”We have used it for years” – Jeff Sutherland, co-creator of Scrum

”This Scrum checklist is generally considered the best checklist in the world” – Jens Østergaard

Translated versions:

Translators: Here is the pptx original, feel free to translate and send me a link when you are done.

What is this?

The Scrum checklist is a simple tool to help you get started with Scrum, or assess your current implementation of Scrum. Note that these aren’t rules. They are guidelines. A team of 2 people might decide to skip the daily Scrum, since they are pair programming all day anyway and might not need a separate meeting to synchronize. Fine. Then they have intentionally skipped a Scrum practice but ensured that the underlying purposeof the scrum practice has been fulfilled in another way. That is what counts! If you are doing Scrum it might be interesting to have the team go through this list at a retrospective. As a discussion tool, not an evaluation tool.

How to use the checklist

  • Joe: ”For this retrospective, I’ve brought a useful little checklist. Is there any of this stuff that we aren’t doing?”
  • Lisa: ”Hmmm, let’s see. Well, we’re certainly missing Definition of Done, and we don’t measure Velocity.”
  • Joe: ”Well, ’Definition of Done’ is listed under ’Core Scrum’ so it seems pretty important! Velocity is listed under ’Recommended but not always necessary’ so let’s wait with that and start with the core stuff.
  • Lisa: ”Look, we’re also missing ’Delivering working, tested software every 4 weeks or less’. That’s listed under ’The bottom line’! Makes sense, because marketing is always complaining about that!”
  • Joe: ”Maybe a concept like ’Definition of Done’ could help us take on smaller bits per sprint and get stuff releasable more often?’
  • Lisa: ”Good idea, let’s give it a shot.”

How NOT to use the checklist

  • Big Boss: ”OK team, time to see how Scrum compliant you are. Fill in this checklist please.”
  • Joe: ”Boss, I’m happy to report that we are doing everything. Well, everything except Sprint burndown charts”
  • Big Boss: ”Bad, bad team! It says here that you should be doing those… er…  sprint burning thingies! I want them!”
  • Lisa: ”But we do 2 week sprints and almost always manage to deliver what we commit to, and the customers are happy. Sprint burndown charts wouldn’t add value at this stage.”
  • Big Boss: ”Well it says here that you should do it, so don’t let me catch you cheating again, or I’ll call in the Scrum Police!”

Is this an official checklist?

No. The checklist was created by me, Henrik Kniberg, and reflects my personal & subjective opinion about what really matters in Scrum. I’ve spent years helping companies get started with Scrum and met hundreds of other practitioners, trainers, and coaches; and I’ve found that checklists like this are helpful, if used correctly.

 

Where do I give feedback?

If you have any feedback or improvement suggestions feel free to email henrik.kniberg(AT)crisp.se.