A History of Scrum
Scrum the most popular agile frameworks today, especially in software development. But how did it evolve from a niche concept into the cornerstone of agile methodologies in organizations across the globe? Let’s dive into the history of Scrum, its roots, and how it became the powerhouse it is today.
The Early Beginnings: The 1980s
The origins of Scrum can be traced back to the 1980s when the software development industry faced a significant challenge: the complexity and unpredictability of software projects. Traditional project management approaches, like the waterfall model, were failing to deliver successful results in a fast-changing environment. It became clear that a new approach was needed to better manage these challenges.
The term “Scrum” itself was inspired by a 1986 paper titled “The New New Product Development Game” by Hirotaka Takeuchi and Ikujiro Nonaka. This article described a flexible, team-oriented approach to product development, drawing inspiration from the way rugby teams work together in a “scrum” to push the ball forward. The focus was on self-organizing teams and fast iterations, concepts that were revolutionary at the time for product development.
Scrum’s Formalization: The Early 1990s
The real formalization of Scrum as a framework occurred in the early 1990s. The first implementation of Scrum occurred in 1993 when Jeff Sutherland, John Scumniotales and Jeff McKenna implemented Scrum at the Easel Corporation. Jeff Sutherland, a software developer and thought leader, took inspiration from Takeuchi and Nonaka’s work and refined it into a usable methodology. In 1995, Sutherland, working with Ken Schwaber, introduced Scrum at the OOPSLA Conference (Object-Oriented Programming, Systems, Languages, and Applications), marking the first public introduction of the framework.
Sutherland, in particular, wanted to solve the persistent problems he encountered while managing software teams—inefficiency, lack of collaboration, and poor communication. By applying solid teamwork principles and building on iterative development, he proposed a lightweight framework that was flexible and adaptive to change.
The Growth and Formalization: The Late 1990s and 2000s
Scrum quickly gained traction among software teams, thanks in part to its simplicity and its focus on delivering value. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Scrum evolved into one of the primary agile methodologies. A major milestone in Scrum’s history was the publication of the “Agile Manifesto” in 2001, which further propelled Scrum’s growth within the broader agile movement. The Manifesto emphasized the importance of collaboration, flexibility, and customer-driven development, values that aligned with Scrum’s principles.
In 2001, Schwaber and Mike Beedle co-authored “Agile Software Development with Scrum”, a book that would become a seminal text for Scrum practitioners. The Scrum Guide, written by Schwaber and Sutherland in 2012, became the official document outlining the Scrum framework, offering clear guidelines for Scrum roles, events, and artifacts.
As Scrum continued to gain popularity, various organizations began to offer certification programs for Scrum Masters (2002) and Product Owners (2009), further spreading the framework’s adoption. The Scrum Alliance, founded in 2001, began offering Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certifications, while other organizations like Scrum.org emerged with their own certification paths.
Scrum in the Modern Era: 2010s and Beyond
As Scrum matured, it expanded beyond software development. Scrum became recognized as a framework for managing complex projects in various industries, including marketing, HR, and even construction. The broader adoption of Scrum across industries led to an increasing recognition of the importance of professional Scrum training and certifications.
In the early 2010s, Scrum at Scale, a framework designed by Jeff Sutherland to help implement Scrum across large organizations, was introduced. This framework was particularly beneficial for large enterprises that struggled with scaling agile practices across multiple teams.
Another milestone came in 2017 when The Scrum Guide underwent a revision to reflect the evolving nature of Scrum. Among the changes was the removal of the term “Development Team” in favor of Developers, reflecting the shift towards a more collaborative, inclusive language.
Today, Scrum is used not just for software development but in a variety of sectors, ranging from education to finance and healthcare.
Key Resources for Scrum Practitioners
If you’re new to Scrum or looking to deepen your knowledge, there are several valuable resources available:
The Scrum Guide: The definitive guide to Scrum, co-authored by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland. Scrum Guide
Scrum Alliance: Provides certifications and access to Scrum-focused events and resources. Scrum Alliance
Agile Manifesto: The foundational document for the agile movement, of which Scrum is a part. Agile Manifesto
“Agile Software Development with Scrum” by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland: The essential book for anyone learning Scrum.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings in the 1980s to becoming one of the most widely used frameworks for managing complex projects, Scrum has revolutionized the way organizations approach product development. As it continues to evolve and spread into different industries, Scrum’s emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and value delivery remains its core strength.
For anyone looking to implement Scrum in their organization, the journey is just beginning. With the framework’s ever-expanding resources, communities, and certification programs, there’s never been a better time to get started and experience the benefits of Scrum firsthand.
