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I am a DBA! Why do I care about Scrum?

Christopher DailyDirector, Corporate DevelopmentFidelity National Financial

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Agree or Disagree Question 1

Question 1:– Processes and tools are absolutely critical to the

success of a productAgile thinkers would say…– Processes and tools are important, but we puts

more value in individuals and their interactions with each other

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Agree or DisagreeQuestion 2

Question 2:– Comprehensive documentation is necessary in

order to accurately deliver a high-quality productAgile thinkers would say…– Working software is a better measure of the

quality of a product than comprehensive documentation

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Agree or DisagreeQuestion 3

Question 3:– To ensure a successful delivery, you must first have

a detailed contract describing exactly what is to be delivered

Agile thinkers would say…– Collaboration with the customer is the best way to

achieve a successful delivery

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Agree or DisagreeQuestion 4

Question 4:– Having a well-thought-out, complete plan is

needed to achieve your products goals in a timely manner

Agile thinkers would say…– Since change is a near certainty, how we respond

to change is more valuable than adhering to an initial plan

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Why am I here?

This presentation is intended to communicate why it is important for specialists (such as DBA, professional testers, automation specialists, etc.) to understand a little more about the Scrum movement.

I will discuss what Scrum is, and why you should care.

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What is Scrum?

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What is Scrum?One doubter’s quote…

“I really wanted to hate this Scrum thing when went into the training. I am pretty happy with the way I work and my current processes but I have to admit, this process produces efficiency and results. I examine my personal life and wonder, ‘What else can I Scrum?’”

Lisa Lazzara on Scrum & FNF Scrum Training

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The Agile Manifestoagilemanifestio.org

Source: http://agilemanifesto.org/

Agile

Crystal

XPScrumDSDM

FDDKanban

RUP

and few more…

RUP

XP

Scrum

Kanban

Do Whatever!!

More Prescriptive

More Adaptive

more rules to follow

fewer rules to follow

What is Scrum?

Pigs and Chickens

Team MembersProduct OwnerScrum Master

UsersManagersStakeholders

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What is Scrum?From the one authority…

Scrum is an agile approach to software development. Rather than a full process or methodology, it is a framework. So instead of providing complete, detailed descriptions of how everything is to be done on the project, much is left up to the software development team.

Mike Cohn of Mountain Goat Software http://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/topics/scrum

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– Utilizes small, cross-functional, self-directed teams (normally 5-7)

– Breaks work into list of small, concrete deliverables which are prioritized and estimated by relative effort

– Eliminates distractions by fixing the work effort for the duration of the sprint

– Embraces change by only committing to the work for the sprint duration (2-4 weeks)

SM

Source: Google Images

What is Scrum?

Scrum BasicsThe Sprint

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Scrum BasicsNo changes to the Sprint

Change

ChangeChange

ChangeChange

Change

Change

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Scrum is a FrameworkHighlighting what ails your organization

• Scrum will reveal any issues your organization currently experiences, whether known or unknown, through a focus on transparency

• Scrum will not correct any issues you currently deal with or uncover

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Scrum Framework

•Product owner•Scrum Master•Scrum Team

Roles

•Sprint planning•Sprint review•Sprint retrospective•Daily scrum meeting

Ceremonies

•Product backlog•Sprint backlog•Burndown charts

Artifacts

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ScalabilityHow Scrum works on an enterprise scale

• Typical individual teams are 5 - 7 people– Scalability comes from teams of teams

• Factors in scaling– Type of application

– Team size

– Team distribution

– Team proficiencies

– Project duration

• Scrum has been used on multiple 500+ person projects spanning the entire globe

Source: Google Images

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Why do I care?

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Sequential DevelopmentRisk / Value Comparison

Source: ullizee.wordpress.com

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Overlapping DevelopmentRisk / Value Comparison

Source: ullizee.wordpress.com

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Chaos ReportAlthough project results have improved slightly over the last few years, the Standish Group's Chaos Report tells us that 72% of projects fail or are challenged.

Further, 45% of features implemented are never used, and 19% are rarely used.

Standish GroupUsefulness of Software Projects

Source: IBM Development Works

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Standish GroupSoftware Project Overruns

Cost Overruns Responses

Under 20%15.5%21 - 50% 31.5%51 - 100% 29.6%101 - 200%

10.2%201 - 400%

8.8%Over 400%

4.4%Average189%

Time Overruns Responses

Under 20%13.9%21 - 50% 18.3%51 - 100% 20.0%101 - 200%

35.5%201 - 400%

11.2%Over 400%

1.1%Average222%

Source: Standish Group Report

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Why should you care?• Companies are looking to improve the odds

– Get value sooner rather than later– Reduce cost– Reduce risk– Be more revelant

• People want more from their job– Pride in what they accomplish– Freedom to do what is right– Contribute to something– Avoid daycare mentality

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Why should you do?

"Guess what guys! It's time to embrace the horror! Look, we got front-row tickets to the end of the earth!“ (Rockhound in Armageddon)

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Why should you do?

• Stay current on development methodologies

• Take advantage of training

• Be a positive• Become a valuable

team member

Helpful Websites• Scrum Alliance

– http://www.scrumalliance.org/

• Scrum.Org– http://www.scrum.org/

• Mike Cohn and Mountain Goat Software– http://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com

• Coming soon! Agile Jax User Group– http://www.agilejax.org/

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Any Questions?

Thanks for your time.