Scrum is a popular framework for Agile project management that emphasizes flexibility, transparency, and collaboration. Scrum teams work in short, time-boxed sprints, with each sprint delivering a potentially releasable increment of the product. If you're interested in learning more about Scrum, you should definitely check out this other blog post (but only after you finish reading this one 😉).
One of the tools that Scrum teams use to improve their processes and develop better products is the Scrum Spike. In this blog post, we will explain what a Scrum Spike is and provide some best practices for using it effectively.
A Scrum Spike is a time-boxed research and development effort used to answer a specific question or solve a problem. It is an opportunity for a team to explore new technologies or ideas, or to gain a deeper understanding of a particular area.
Spike is not a user story, but it is a type of task that is created when there is a need for research or proof of concept. It is not intended to deliver a feature but rather to help the team determine how to deliver a feature or solve a problem.
Here are some best practices for conducting a Scrum Spike:
Before you start a Scrum Spike, it is essential to define the problem or question you are trying to answer. This will help you to focus your efforts and ensure that you are working towards a clear goal.
A Scrum Spike should be time-boxed, which means that you should set a specific amount of time for the Spike to run. This will help you to stay focused and ensure that you are not investing too much time and effort in the Spike.
Assign a Spike owner who is responsible for driving the research effort and ensuring that the Spike is completed on time. The Spike owner should work closely with the development team and other stakeholders to gather information and make decisions.
Use the 40-70 rule to balance the amount of effort you put in with the level of knowledge you need to make a decision. The 40-70 rule suggests that you should aim to invest between 40 and 70% of the effort required to fully solve the problem or answer the question. This step is a very special one and importante one, which's proper implementation may be the decisive factor when properly measuring your Spike's success. Hence, one of our partners dedicated a blog article to it, which you should check out here.
Once the Spike is complete, communicate the results to the development team and other stakeholders. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the team can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
A Scrum Spike is a powerful tool for Scrum teams to use when they need to explore new technologies, gain a deeper understanding of a particular area, or solve a problem. By following the best practices outlined in this blog post, you can ensure that your Scrum Spike is effective and delivers the insights you need to improve your processes and develop better products. Remember to timebox the Spike, assign a Spike owner, use the 40-70 rule, and communicate the results to the development team and other stakeholders.
