Developers and Self-Management in Scrum
Understanding how Developers in Scrum self-manage their work to deliver valuable increments. This clarity is key for effective team performance.
The 2020 Scrum Guide defines Developers as the people committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint. Often, people misunderstand what 'self-managing' means for them. It is not about doing whatever they want, but about deciding the best way to achieve the Sprint Goal. This distinction is crucial for understanding how effective Scrum Teams operate.
What Self-Management Means
Self-managing means the Developers decide who does what, when, and how. They decide how to turn Product Backlog items into an Increment during the Sprint. The Product Owner decides what to build, and the Scrum Master ensures the process is understood and enacted. But the how of the work, the day to day execution, rests with the Developers. They are not directed by the Product Owner or Scrum Master on specific tasks. They collaborate to find the best path.
Accountabilities, Not Roles
The Scrum Guide eliminated the concept of 'development team' as a sub-team. Now, 'Developers' are one of three accountabilities within the single Scrum Team. This change emphasizes collective responsibility. There are no individual titles like 'tester' or 'architect' within the Scrum Team structure. Everyone with the Developer accountability works towards the Sprint Goal. This fosters a shared ownership of the Increment and encourages cross-functional collaboration.
Daily Scrum and Self-Organization
The Daily Scrum is the primary event for Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as needed. It is their meeting. They decide the structure and techniques, as long as it focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal. This event is a prime example of their self-management in action. They are not reporting to anyone, but coordinating with each other.
During the Daily Scrum, Developers might ask themselves questions like:
- What work do we need to do today to meet the Sprint Goal?
- Who is best placed to tackle which Product Backlog Item or task?
- Are there any impediments preventing us from moving forward?
- Do we need to adjust our plan for the rest of the Sprint?
Impediment Resolution
Self-managing Developers do not wait for permission to solve problems. When they encounter an impediment, they first try to resolve it themselves. If they cannot, they look for help, often from the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master's role here is to remove impediments that are beyond the Developers' self-managing abilities. This does not mean the Scrum Master solves every problem, but rather facilitates their removal.
Impact on Performance
Empowering Developers to self-manage leads to higher engagement, better problem-solving, and ultimately, more effective delivery. When people have autonomy over their work, they are more invested in the outcomes. They make faster decisions, adapt more quickly to change, and often find more innovative solutions than if they were being micromanaged. This trust in their ability to organize their own work is a cornerstone of Scrum's effectiveness.