SBOK™ Guide First Chapter
A Guide to the Scrum Body of Knowledge (SBOK™) provides guidelines for the successful implementation of Scrum—the most popular Agile project management and product development methodology. It provides a comprehensive framework that includes the principles, aspects, and processes of Scrum.
Scrum, as defined in the SBOK™, is applicable to the following:
- Portfolios, programs, and/or projects in any industry
- Products, services, or any other results to be delivered to stakeholders
- Projects of any size or complexity
The term ‘product’ in this Body of Knowledge may refer to a product, service, or other deliverable. Scrum can be applied effectively to any project in any industry—from small projects or teams with as few as six team members to large, complex projects with up to several hundred team members. This first chapter describes the purpose and framework of the SBOK™ Guide and provides an introduction to the key concepts of Scrum. It contains a summary of Scrum principles, Scrum aspects, and Scrum processes.
The following sections are covered in this chapter.
- Overview of Scrum
- Why Use Scrum?
- Purpose of the SBOK™ Guide
- Framework of the SBOK™ Guide
- Scrum vs. Traditional Project Management
Download the first chapter
Scrum Vs Traditional PM
Traditional project management emphasizes on conducting detailed upfront planning for the project with emphasis on fixing the scope, cost and schedule – and managing those parameters. Whereas, Scrum encourages data-based, iterative decision making in which the primary focus is on delivering products that satisfy customer requirements.
To deliver the greatest amount of value in the shortest amount of time, Scrum promotes prioritization and Time-boxing over fixing the scope, cost and schedule of a project. An important feature of Scrum is self-organization, which allows the individuals who are actually doing the work to estimate and take ownership of tasks.
Following table summarizes many of the differences between Scrum and traditional project management:
| Parameters | Scrum | Traditional Project Management |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis is on | People | Processes |
| Documentation | Minimal – only as required | Comprehensive |
| Process style | Iterative | Linear |
| Upfront planning | Low | High |
| Prioritization of Requirements | Based on business value and regularly updated | Fixed in the Project Plan |
| Quality assurance | Customer centric | Process centric |
| Organization | Self-organized | Managed |
| Management style | Decentralized | Centralized |
| Change | Updates to Productized Product Backlog | Formal Change Management System |
| Leadership | Collaborative, Servant Leadership | Command and control |
| Performance measurement | Business value | Plan conformity |
| Return on Investment | Early/throughout project life | End of project life |
| Customer involvement | High throughout the project | Varies depending on the project lifecycle |
SCRUM Videos
How to use SBOK Guide
The SBOK™ Guide was developed as a means to create a necessary guide for organizations and project management practitioners who want to implement Scrum, as well as those already doing so who want to make needed improvements to their processes. It is based on experience drawn from thousands of projects across a variety of organizations and industries. The contributions of many Scrum experts and project management practitioners have been considered in its development.
Why get certified in SCRUM
Scrum is one of the most popular Agile methodologies. It is an adaptive, iterative, fast, flexible, and effective methodology designed to deliver significant value quickly and throughout a project. Scrum ensures transparency in communication and creates an environment of collective accountability and continuous progress. A key strength of Scrum lies in its use of cross-functional, self-organized, and empowered teams who divide their work into short, concentrated work cycles called Sprints.
Scrum Principles
Scrum principles are the core guidelines for applying the Scrum framework and should mandatorily be used in all Scrum projects. They are non-negotiable and must be applied as specified in the SBOK™. Keeping the principles intact and using them appropriately instils confidence in the Scrum framework with regard to attaining the objectives of the project.
SCRUM increases ROI
One of the key characteristics of any project is the uncertainty of results or outcomes. It is impossible to guarantee project success at completion, irrespective of the size or complexity of a project. Considering this uncertainty of achieving success, it is therefore important to start delivering results as early in the project as possible. This early delivery of results, and thereby value, provides an opportunity for reinvestment and proves the worth of the project to interested stakeholders. It is important to:
- Understand what adds value to customers and users and to prioritize the high value requirements on the top of the Prioritized Product Backlog.
- Decrease uncertainty and constantly address risks that can potentially decrease value if they materialize. Also work closely with project stakeholders showing them product increments at the end of each Sprint, enabling effective management of changes.
- Create Deliverables based on the priorities determined by producing potentially shippable product increments during each Sprint so that customers start realizing value early on in the project.
Some of the key differences with respect to Value-driven Delivery in Scrum project and Traditional projects are given in the figure below.
In Scrum projects, User Stories are ranked in order of priority which is an effective method for determining the desired User Stories for each iteration or release of the product or service. The purpose is to create a simple, single list with the goal of prioritizing features, rather than being distracted by multiple prioritization schemes.
This simple list also provides a basis for incorporating changes and identified risks when necessary. Each change or identified risk can be inserted in the list based on its priority relative to the other User Stories in the list. Typically, new changes will be included at the expense of features that have been assigned a lower priority.
Minimum Marketable Features (MMF) are also defined, so that the first release or iteration happens as early as possible, leading to increased ROI.
SCRUMSTUDY AGILE MASTER CERTIFIED (SAMC™)
| Certification | Prerequisites | Target Audience | Maintaining Certification (RCUs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Education | |||
| SAMC™ | Nil | Preferably SDC™ (or) SMC™ Certified professional | Anyone on a Scrum team | 40 Recertification units every 2 years |
Overview
Rapid changes in technology, market demands, and expectations have paved the way for the conceptualization and implementation of Agile methods and values in many organizations. Agile relies on adaptive planning and iterative development and delivery. It focuses primiarily on the value of people in getting the job done effectively. (SAMC™) Certified Professionals should appreciate the concepts of Agile development and have the ability to compare and choose the Agile methodology appropriate in a given situation. Applicants will be awarded the SCRUMstudy Agile Master Certified (SAMC™) certificate by SCRUMstudy after successfully passing the certification exam.Audience Profile
This certification is appropriate for anyone interested in getting familiar with the concepts and practices of Agile Project Delivery, and who wants to have a working knowledge of the various Agile methodologies.Prerequisites
There is no formal prerequisite for this certification. However, a SDC™ or SMC™ certified professional will be able to easily understand the concepts required for the certification exam. Alternatively, you can attend a 3-day SAMC™ classroom training provided by a SCRUMstudy approved Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.)Exam Format
- Multiple Choice
- 100 questions per exam
- One mark awarded for every right answer
- No negative marks for wrong answers
- 120 minutes duration
- Proctored online exam.
Online Course and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 154.00
Online Course, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 174.00
Classroom, Online and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 169.00
Classroom, Online, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 189.00
Scrum Master Certified (SMC™)
| Certification | Prerequisites | Target Audience | Maintaining Certification (RCUs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Education | |||
| SMC™ | Nil | Preferably SDC™ certified professional | Anyone who is interested in becoming a Scrum Master | 40 Recertification units every 2 years |
Overview
Scrum Master Certified (SMC™) professionals are facilitators who ensure that the Scrum Team is provided with an environment conducive to completing the project successfully. The Scrum Master guides, facilitates, and teaches Scrum practices to everyone involved in the project; clears impediments for the team; and, ensure that Scrum processes are being followed. Successful candidates will be awarded the Scrum Master Certified (SMC™) certification by SCRUMstudy after passing the certification exam.Audience Profile
This certification is appropriate for anyone who is interested in working as a Scrum Master.Prerequisites
There is no formal prerequisite for this certification. However, it is preferable to complete the Scrum Developer Certified (SDC™) certification before applying for the Scrum Master certification. It is also highly recommended to attend the SMC™ classroom training provided by the SCRUMstudy approved Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.)Exam Format
- Multiple Choice
- 100 questions per exam
- One mark awarded for every right answer
- No negative marks for wrong answers
- 120 minutes duration
- Proctored online exam.
Online Course and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 126.00
Online Course, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 146.00
Classroom, Online and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 141.00
Classroom, Online, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 161.00
Scrum Developer Certified (SDC™)
| Certification | Prerequisites | Target Audience | Maintaining Certification (RCUs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Education | |||
| SDC™ | Nil | Nil | Anyone on a SCRUM Team or anyone who interacts with any Scrum Team | 25 Recertification units every 2 years |
Overview
Scrum Developer Certified (SDC™) is an entry level certification for Scrum Team members and those who interact with any Scrum Team. The objective of this certification is to ensure that Scrum Team members know enough about Scrum to effectively contribute to a Scrum project. The courseware and preparation tools required for the certification exam will be available online on SCRUMstudy.com. An online proctored exam will be conducted at the end of the course.Audience Profile
This is highly recommended for everyone in a company who works in a Scrum Team or anyone who interacts with any Scrum Team. This will also be very useful for those who are interested in understanding the basics of Scrum and how this method could be used effectively.Prerequisites
There is no formal prerequisite for this certification.Exam Format
- Multiple Choice
- 75 questions per exam
- One mark awarded for every right answer
- No negative marks for wrong answers
- 57 questions need to be answered correctly to pass
- 90 minutes duration
- Proctored online exam
Online Course and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 56.00
Online Course, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 76.00
Classroom, Online and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 71.00
Classroom, Online, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 91.00
SCRUM PRODUCT OWNER CERTIFIED (SPOC™)
| Certification | Prerequisites | Target Audience | Maintaining Certification (RCUs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Education | |||
| SPOC™ | Nil | Preferably SDC™ (or) SMC™ certified professional | Anyone who interfaces with business stakeholders or works as a Product Owner in a Scrum project. | 40 Recertification units every 2 years |
Overview
The Product Owner represents the interests of the stakeholder community to the Scrum Team. The Product Owner is responsible for ensuring clear communication of product or service functionality requirements to the Scrum Team, defining Acceptance Criteria, and ensuring those criteria are met. The Product Owner must always maintain a dual view. He or she must understand and support the needs and interests of all stakeholders, while also understanding the needs and workings of the Scrum Team. Applicants will be awarded the Scrum Product Owner Certified (SPOC™) certificate by SCRUMstudy upon successfully passing the certification exam.Audience Profile
This certification is for anyone who interfaces with stakeholders or works as a Product Owner in a Scrum Team.Prerequisites
There is no formal prerequisite for this certification. However, SDC™ or SMC™ Certified professionals will be able to better understand the concepts required for this certification exam. It is also highly recommended to attend a 2-day SPOC™ classroom training provided by a SCRUMstudy approved Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.)Exam Format
- Multiple Choice
- 140 questions per exam
- One mark awarded for every right answer
- No negative marks for wrong answers
- 180 minutes duration
- Proctored online exam
Online Course and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 168.00
Online Course, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 188.00
Classroom, Online and Exam
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 183.00
Classroom, Online, Exam and Physical Certificate
Duration: 180 Days
Price: US$ 203.00