Why is Scrum so Popular?
Scrum is one of the most widely-adopted forms of project management right now. For the past 10 years, it has been enjoying a growth spurt in popularity that shows no signs of slowing down.
If you’re thinking about using Scrum, but are not yet convinced about whether it is the right option for you or for your business, this article will give you a better overview of who uses Scrum, how it is used, and why it makes sense.
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In this Article:
New to Scrum and Agile?
If you’re completely new to the concepts of
Agile and Scrum, why not take a 5-minute detour to read a few of our
introductory articles before diving into this one?
What Industries use Scrum?
Scrum is best known for its popularity in the IT and software development sector. It is still widely adopted here, but do you know how many other industries are implementing Scrum and Agile practices?
Here’s a brief selection:
- Financial Services
- Legal & Consultancy
- Construction
- Data Analytics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Engineering
- Food and Beverage
- Hospitality
- Travel & Tourism
- Telecommunications
- Government Agencies
- Transportation
- Medical Devices
- Customer Support
- Education
- Insurance
- Automotives
- Manufacturing
This is just a sample of the industries where Scrum is making its mark. In truth, you'll probably find Scrum and Agile approaches in every sector worldwide.
What companies use Scrum?
You’ll find that a high percentage of the companies you interact with regularly use some element of Scrum or Agile.
Here are some of the most prominent organisations using Scrum and Agile practices:
- Google
- Apple
- Facebook
- Yahoo
- Spotify
- Adobe
- AirBnB
- Bank of Ireland
- Amazon
- HSBC
- Salesforce
- Netflix
- Lego
- Ryanair
- 3M
- IBM
- Deloitte
- Version 1
- Zurich
- Sage
- Siemens
All Companies, All Sizes
Many listed above are large or multi-national organisations. It's important to note that Scrum and Agile work just as well in smaller businesses too.
They are flexible, smart-thinking approaches to running projects successfully. Every business has a need for this!
Why do we use Scrum?
So, why is Scrum so popular? Let’s take a look at some of the features that make it a great option for so many different kinds of teams.
Adaption
Scrum is about adapting as you progress, rather than excessive planning before you start a project.
This makes it ideal for fast-paced environments that have constantly evolving projects.
Get Value Fast
Scrum revolves around shorter activity bursts (sprints) that deliver value early and regularly. This lowers risk and improves stakeholder relationships.
Customers see results fast, and are involved at regular intervals. They have the opportunity to refine or completely change their requirements, learning from what has already been delivered.
Team-Focused
Scrum is known to be a “team-centric” project management approach. It’s perfect for organisations with many teams.
It was inspired by the self-organised nature of rugby teams as they handle complex strategies on the pitch.
Read the Full 7 Benefits of Scrum
These are just the top 3 reasons project teams and businesses choose to work with Scrum. You can read a little more about these benefits, discover 4 more benefits, and learn how Scrum works in our article, "What is Scrum Project Management?".
Getting Started With Scrum
Putting Scrum into action is easier than you may think. There are a couple of things you'll need to do to in order to get started, but once you're up and running, Scrum is one of the most sustainable forms of productive project management.
Step 1: Decide Who Will Be Part of the Scrum Team
If you are training in Scrum for your own career, skip to Step 2. If you are thinking of introducing Scrum practices to your team or organisation, take some time to consider who will be involved in applying Scrum.
You may wish to start by training a few individuals, or take the high-impact step of training a full Scrum Team.
Step 2: Get Trained and Certified
Individuals: Our Scrum Master Certified (SMCTM) and Scrum Product Owner (SPOCTM) courses are both available as self-directed, online training. For those who want to expand their career with Scrum, a Scrum Master or Scrum Product Owner Certification is a wise first step.
Teams & Businesses: We offer customised training programmes in Scrum which can be targeted around building a skilled Scrum Team or introducing a Scrum or Agile mindset to your organisation.
Once you have gained Scrum skills through training, you'll be ready to begin implementing Scrum practices!
Guidance and Advice
If you're still not sure about the next step for your project management training,
we can help.
Our training consultants have
extensive knowledge about the different
project management methodologies and certifications available.
They can speak with you about
your own experience and goals, and advise on whether Scrum is the right choice for achieving your aims.
